If Zaza was born a little earlier, so that he fit in right in the time when music was getting to be put on higher quality formats, back in the early kingship Joe Satriani, or even the kingship of Jeff Beck, and also Eric Clapton ruled, Zaza would have been a somebody. However, as Zaza pursues his career there is practically an infinite wall of good progressive music on record, such that there is no demand for someone like Neil Zaza, and that is a real shame because he is a tremendous musician.
I will admit there are a few that are better than Zaza, and that there could be some improvement of this album. However, I’m on Zaza’s side. I want to see him succeed. I won’t say that he is as good as Joe Satriani, but Joe Satriani is only as good as his background music, and I will say this; Satriani often plays to terrible background music. Zaza on the other hand solos to well crafted songs, where his part is central, but it fits in with the music and it doesn’t sound like there is someone who wants to be God who makes sure that no musician in the band challenges his power.
Zaza is at his best when he is playing thoughtfully, trying to craft excellent songs, and this album is chock full of them. I highly recommend this album!
