*GUEST REVIEW*
With the exception of McLaughlin/DiMeola/De Lucia's Friday Night in San Francisco, this may be the greatest lineup of guitarists assembled in recording history (yes, I'm going that far). Each of the three guitarists has an instantly recognizable sonic signature, from Hunter's Hammond B-3 organ imitation to Ranglin's "Surfin Ska" Sound and also Chinna's ethereal psalm-like strumming. One would be hard pressed to pick a dominant maestro; however, more often than not Chinna Smith seems to steal the show. Recorded in Smith's "live" style, the inspiration and influences come from any and all directions. The powerhouse collective covers artists as diverse as Edie Brickell ("What I Am"), Garage A Trois ("Mestre Tata"), and former Coltrane affiliate McCoy Tyner ("Passion Dance"). Each tune may highlight a particular guitarist's gusto -- such as the Ranglin vehicle "Passion Dance," with its relentless skank, and also the Hunter-propelled "One Foundation" -- or a track may be a flowing free-for-all coated in spacious jazz. Highlights (if not the whole album) include a remake of Chinna's "Fade Away," the explosive septuagenarian Ranglin on "Mestre Tata," and "Passion Dance," or the dreamy "Rivers of Babylon" and "Island in the Sun." The rhythm section of session musicians (even a SNL drummer) are superb, and Hunter's 8-string maintains mind-defying bass lines. Let us pray this is not a one-time venture for such legends.

- John Francis