Time Is the Enemy

Ex-John McLaughlin electric bass guitarist Jonas Hellborg gains considerable notoriety for his flashy style, huge sound, undeniable virtuosity, and monster chops. This recording showcases his trio on various concert dates worldwide, with electric guitarist Shawn Lane and drummer Jeff Sipe in tow. It is Lane who steals the show — his fluid, exciting, stinging lines need nothing more than a little amplification to get the point across. The power trio acts as Beck, Bogert & Appice wannabes, except that Lane plays perfectly in tune. All the members claim co-writing credit on the six hard-nosed jams. "Heretics" is a heavy metal New Orleans shuffle, with boogie bass and a finger-popping solo from the leader. "Wherever You Walk" has a cool swing funk about it that is undeniably jazzy, featuring Lane's clean, musical, teeth-gritting guitar. Darker rhythms with echoey chords set to loping six/eight rhythm and rock bass signify the developed piece "Space Time Continuum," and the hard funk of "The King's Letter" has the most dizzying, steely guitar licks. A slower funk "Barua a Soldani" cuts Hellborg loose on an extended solo, while the closing title track is another hard rock-funk that stretches the confines of fusion into a vehicle for Lane to dig in a bit more. As much as fusion has grown stale over the years, this trio is pumping some stark vitality into it, keeping it alive. Shawn Lane is the man, and Hellborg has to sit back and marvel at what he's capable of. ~ Michael G. Nastos, Rovi