Kollman, Jeff: Shedding Skin (remastered)

Simply one of the greatest, most tasty and accomplished American guitar players that you should be listening to, Jeff Kollman, the man behind the infamous instrumental band, Cosmosquad. The man with the impeccable creamy guitar tone from the heavens has recorded with and or shared the stage across the world with the likes of Glenn Hughes, Phil Mogg & Pete Way, Chad Smith and John Payne's Asia has remastered and reissued his solo record, Shedding Skin.

Originally released in 1999, this Instrumental record is as fresh and relevant sounding as it was then and encompasses the full gamut of the guitar tools that Kollman possesses. You want it heavy? Kollman delivers. You want some Jazz? Kollman delivers. You want some Acoustic guitar prowess? You get the picture! Jeff Kollman is a jack of all trades and a master of them all. It is simply impossible to get bored with anything that Kollman throws at you, yes...he IS that good.

The title track and first track on the album, "Shedding Skin", gives you a quick little taste of what Kollman is all about. An elegant Acoustic intro that gives way to that glorious guitar tone that I mentioned earlier and the stellar musicianship that this entire record displays. This track has a Middle Eastern flavor to it and it allows Kollman to wrangle his Strat from humbucker bliss to single coil glory. "Fat, Mean And Nasty" features a Jeff Kollman exclusive, is amazing detuned tuning that I have never heard anyone incorporate which in guitar speak, his tuning is (C-G-D-G-B-E). This tuning allows for an incredibly ominous and heavy tone that is just simply awe-inspiring and bad ass. The sounds that he is able to coax out of guitars with that tuning are just fantastic and with a tune like "Fat, Mean And Nasty", the results speak for themselves. Bassist extraordinaire Ray Riendeau and out of this stratosphere drummer Shane Gaalaas provide the solid framework along with Kollman and together they make this song a sleazy romp with killer chops all around.

Shedding Skin also features guest performances from bassists Barry Sparks, Cosmosquad's Kevin Chown and piano players, Dale Grisa and Roger Burn and showcases a diverse variety of styles including trippy Robert Fripp like soundscapes on "The Subconscience", a gorgeous solo Acoustic outing on "Intimate Portrait" and a tribute to the great Texas band, King's X on the heavy song, "The X Factor". "Sheer Drama" shows off the amazing skills of drummer Shane Gaalaas and Kollman's ever present melodic and lyrical phrasing, along with some sick, hyper drive soloing. There is even some lowdown Texas styled strutting going on in "Redeye Romp", as well as some tasty guitar fueled Fusion on "Where Is One?"

Jeff Kollman is one of those cats that seamlessly shifts between Blues/Prog/Rock/Fusion/Metal and Acoustic guitar all at the drop of a hat and pulls them all off with an unrivaled ability and an unmistakable flair. When you hear him play, you pretty much instantly know that it's Kollman. Kollman has that ability to set a fretboard ablaze, as well as make the guitar weep or sing. Jeff Kollman is THAT player that has that certain something to his playing, that difference from all of the other modern day shredders, the guy can write great tune after great tune and combine his melodic sensibilities in the song that makes them catchy. He writes songs that non musicians will AND can enjoy. Shedding Skin is even better with this reissue and remaster and showcases Kollman's songwriting and guitar pyrotechnics and shows how ahead of the game he was back in 1999 and he's shown no signs of letting up and I for one am extremely happy with that. Jeff Kollman should be a household name, his talent has no ceiling and btw...he's got a great singing voice, too! This is a MUST OWN guitar album by a true "Guitar Hero".

Track Listing

1. Shedding Skin
2. Fat, Mean And Nasty
3. Blues For Pop
4. Journey Through Life
5. The Subscience
6. Sheer Drama
7. The X Factor
8. Intimate Portrait
9. The Color For Love
10. My Soul Deep Inside
11. Redeye Romp
12. My Guitar Gently Screams

Added: October 13th 2017
Reviewer: Butch Jones
Score:
Related Link: Artist Website
Hits: 3485
Language: english

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