's greatest strength, other than being the quickest ever electric guitarist in jazz, has been the ability to reinvent himself. With , he has vastly improved the concept he originally fomented on the CD , where he used a variety of different groupings. This ensemble has a relatively finite lineup, modified from the previous combo in that they play to 's strong willed ideal of fusing his guitar synthesizer to a more contemporary sound. Where was more about jamming, the band here is focused and cohesive, playing deft melodies and busy, rhythmic funk that allows the music to breathe considerably deeper. 's impressive core sidemen include the formidable electric bass guitarist who is retained from the prior band, and drummer . They are active players whose concentrated styles and techniques fit well with the naturally fleet guitar work of . What makes this recording listenable over time is the consistency of the music while avoiding being homogeneous. has that distinctive signature quality, with blurring unison lines and an Eastern Indian flavor so important to the spirit of the guitarist. The darting and dancing melody of is also pure , as stated over the years. He has forged bonds of steel with this band via the busy drumming of to match the pronounced zig-zag patterns, and a bamboo flute on top of it all. Scat singing during with gliding guitar synth from the leader sounds like musical velvet, while the Indian scat of complemented by the electric mandolin of , reflects 's days with merging with -type sixteenth notes in brave counterpoint. A funkier side comes out during in the reconstructed style has favored since the album , with soprano sax from , and the Hundustani slide guitar of in the midst of the melody, while a slower, soulful, contemporary beat identifies the lotus flower-sweet Unexpected sounds are on the tail-end of this CD, as a happy samba with bamboo flute identifies the brightest track, The closer is a fast tick-tock organ-based jam with a straighter, less processed electric guitar, and is a prelude to the all-star ensemble of the same name that was forming with . This is a surprisingly fine effort, ebbing and flowing from track to track, with 's high-level musicianship shining through, same as it ever was. ~ Michael G. Nastos