If 'Black Butterfly' proves one thing, it's that Steve Walsh still has it in spades as a performer and a song-writer.

The music that Steve Walsh has performed over his many years in the business has been part of the soundtrack to my life, and I suspect many of our readers lives as well. Whether its Kansas, Streets, his solo work or his many guest appearances, I've always felt that new music from Walsh has been something to look forward to.

When Walsh decided to step away from the industry a few years ago, who would have expected him to the eventually return to the scene and with all guns blazing? However, return he has with a fantastic new album entitled 'Black Butterfly' and it has to be said that he sounds wonderful. The surprises don't stop there either because also returning with Walsh is Tommy (too long away) Denander who has co-written the whole album with Walsh. It's the dynamic of the legendary Walsh vocals meeting Denander's sublime guitar playing that breathes life into this fabulous new release. There's also another surprise in store for the listener in the guise of Pinnacle Point/ex-Angelica front-man Jerome Mazza supplying vocals on three of the songs and duetting with Walsh on a fourth.

Personally, what I've enjoyed the most about this album (apart from hearing Walsh sing again) are the lyrics in his songs. Lines like "The beggar and the millionaire sustain a common spirit" from 'Grace And Nature', "No other place a martyr should be, than the hard bark of the tanglewood tree" from 'Tanglewood Tree' or "The politician kiss the baby, waving to the crowd, he don't say nothing new, he just likes speaking very loud" from the politically-charged true story of 'Billy Carborne Is Dead' have really stuck with me, and I keep returning to this album so I can get the most from its dark lyrics and incredible musicality.

Fellow vocalist Mazza also puts in a stunning performance on his songs, with the standouts of these being the breathtaking 'Winds Of War' and his brilliant duet with Walsh on 'Born In Fire'.

If 'Black Butterfly' proves one thing, it's that Steve Walsh still has it in spades as a performer and a song-writer. It also makes you realize just what a loss to the scene he really is. Hopefully, the plaudits this album is rightfully getting will whet his musical appetite and maybe inspire him to do more albums? If not, this superb album is a great way to bow out.

Ian Johnson