Well-produced and well-paced and another guitar virtuoso to be aware of.

Lars Lind, a guitarist from Norway, has created a superior and very listenable instrumental album entitled 'Soul Kicker'.

Accompanied by John Macaluso (drums), Simon Fitzpatrick (bass) and Jan-Fredrik Heier (keyboards), the album provides a tour of Heavy, Prog and Melodic Rock. The formula is simple; Lind provides an underlying riff (incessant but catchy) on which he overlays his quick and nimble soloing. The keyboards also play a significant part and provide alternative soloing.

It is hard to label the album as there is a change of pace and style within; the title track is not representative as it has a Bluesy edge to it. Whereas the opener has shades of seventies' Prog or Classic Rock, there are also some fast, bouncy and incendiary tracks, such as the aptly named 'Ignite'.

Well-produced and well-paced and another guitar virtuoso to be aware of.

Rob McKenzie