Joe Becker  - Hot As Love

American guitarist/Multi-instrumentalist Joe Becker originally hails from the legendary hub of US blues that is Chicago Illinois, and on ‘Hot As love,’ the latest in a string of solo records, one can hear the warm, soulful tones of the past legends of his hometown shining through, given a new overdriven polish and married to a technical approach more often found in the realm of shred. Solo guitar records can all too often become little more than an attempt to ‘out-widdle’ all of the opposition in a blaze of string snapping speed and six string pyrotechnics, but Joe’s effort is far more focused on the groove and strength of writing itself, consisting of songs, not just an assortment of ill-fitting riffs. As almost invariably occurs with solo albums, especially instrumental solo albums, he does so with what seems to an outsider mixed success, but over sixteen tracks, the guy’s talent is pretty undeniable. Likely to appeal to fellow guitarists and musicians, along with select casual listeners such as fans of Joe Satriani and Steve Vai , such compositions as ‘Season in Hell’ and ‘Hard Times’ are examples of how this kind of album can prove entertaining, rather than frustrating. One thing’s for sure... this guy knows his craft.