Bass soloist, Gonzo, embarks on an ambitious effort to produce a bass-only album on his self-titled release. Whenever I see the sleave of a CD that contains only bass playing, there is a skepticism that sweeps over me because I understand how difficult it is to produce instrumental music featuring only one instrument and how much more difficult it is when that instrument is bass guitar. But, Gonzo alleviated my initial apprehensions with his compositional insights and soulful playing that help to offset the thinness of an exclusively solo bass format. Gonzo's chordal phrasings and arpeggiation that are intertwined with with his thematic lines assist in adding some textural depth as well. Gonzo has an interesting approach to bass as a solo instrument that makes the format work. This approach is centered around thematic development that provides a solid center that enables Gonzo to work around. The strength of his themes keeps the listeners' focused on these themes rather than allowing them to dwell on the drawbacks of a single instrument solo format.

Gonzo's bass style does not attempt to venture into the whomping, overwhelming aggression and territory of bass technicianry of the state of the art fusion players like Victor Wooten, Stuart Hamm, and the like. But despite this, Gonzo's playing stands on its own merit with his unique perspective on solo bass. The testament to this fact is that though the effort is handicapped with the single instrument format, the CD moves along quickly keeping listener attention rather than becoming monotonous. Gonzo's overcomes this handicap with respectable wherewithal. This accomplishment in itself is a notable achievement.

~ Christopher Ruel ~ www.ChrisRuel.com ~ Chris@ChrisRuel.com ~ Chris Ruel's Monthly Spotlight

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