Mark Rabuffo Reviews New CD from Greg Howe, 'Sound Proof'

by Mark Rabuffo.

Guitarist Greg Howe is back with a new CD called Sound Proof on Mike Varney’s Tone Center label. Of all of Mike Varney’s Shrapnel alumni, Greg Howe is one of the most successful examples of players who've made the step up to fusion (or more precisely, heavy fusion), and this is an excellent CD for fans of the genre. Howe brought in some incredible players for Sound Proof: Jon Reshard on bass, Gianluca Palmieri on drums and David Cook (not the American Idol winner) on keyboards.

Folks, let me tell you, these guys can play. Sound Proof consists of some amazing material, including a tasty instrumental cover of Rufus and Chaka Khan’s “Tell Me Something Good” that incorporates Greg’s brand of fast and funky fusion. There are 14 songs with a total run time ofapproximately 56 minutes, which includes a few short, introductory tracks clocking in at 30 seconds or less. “Write Me a Song,” in particular, is hilarious and shows Howe’s sense of humor and just who is the “Connoisseur”?

The second song, “Emergency Exit,” is a fine example of heavy fusion. It features great ensemble work that allows the entire band ample solo space, which they use to full advantage as my singed ear drums will attest. “Reunion” is next, with Cook’s piano adding to the jazzy feel and some great cymbal work by Palmieri. The next track, “Morning View,” lays back a bit with a cool riff by Greg and some tasty acoustic and electric guitar work. The outro solo by Howe is tremendous – laden with smooth legato runs and tasty bends.

“Walkie Talkie” follows, and there is a heavier feel to this one, syncopated yet funky, with Greg absolutely blazing – wah-laden legato, synchronized bass/guitar runs, and a jazzy drum solo by Gianluca Palmieri. Of all the great songs on this disc, “Side Note” has to be my favorite. It’s one of the longest tunes, clocking in at over seven minutes, thus allowing plenty of room for some amazing solos by Howe and guest Dennis Hamm on keyboards. Great use of dynamics segueing into pure, adrenaline-inducing virtuosity. “Sunset in El Paso” is a duet with Howe on acoustic guitar and David Cook on piano. Cook lays out some beautiful chords for Greg’s tasty, acoustic improvisations, and if you close your eyes, you can almost see the sunset. “Child’s Play” is another jazzy up-tempo tune with a great melody and more amazing soloing, while “Sound Proof” finds Jon Reshard just absolutely ripping on the bass – followed up by more blistering soloing by Greg.

Sound Proof is a great CD, and a nice follow-up to Howe's previous release, Extraction.

Related Links
Greg Howe
Sound Proof on Shrapnel Records (Tone Center label)
Mike Varney Talks about the Shrapnel and Tone Center Labels

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