Joe Satriani SHOCKWAVE SUPERNOVA. Sony

Joe Satriani’s new album “Shockwave Supernova” is released by Sony Music/Legacy Recordings on July 24.

His 9-date UK tour with special guest Dan Patlansky kicks off at the O2 Manchester Apollo on November 1. Tickets: www.ticketline.co.uk/joe-satriani

I first came across Satriani when his self-titled 2000 album was recommended for its audiophile quality by a top hi-fi magazine that same year (in fact 50 records were recommended and I ended up acquiring all of them!). I had long been a fan of acoustic guitar music inspired by the work of the player I regard as the best of them all - Yorkshire’s son John McLaughlin. But it was Satriani’s album that finally alerted me to how good great electric guitar music can be. The album still remians my favourite Satriani recording but SHOCKWAVE SUPERNOVA is testing my resolve and could so easily replace it given a few more listens…

The opening title track explodes out of the speakers and immediately the game is given away… Marco Minnemann’s drumming almost dominates this epic rocker and sets the tone for the album’s notable rhythmic strength and consistency. Satriani’s guitar leaves no stone unturned while his writing proves to be as melodic as ever, perhaps even more so. ‘Lost In Memory’ calms the waters with a mellow and contemplative display led by Satriani’s lyrical and expressive playing. The choruses are pure symphonic rock as his guitar soars to extraordinary heights and weaves the most melodic tale. Producion (with co-production and engineering by John Cunibert) is superb and beautifully judged.

‘Crazy Joe’ reveals some quite extraordinary mega-fast finger-picking by the man while he is joined by a new rhythm section with Vinnie Calaiuta on drums and Chris Chaney on bass. ‘In My Pocket’ is blues rock at its best with the same rhythm section but more dominant while Satriani chimes in with some of my favourite guitar passages on the album. So far, so excellent and my appetite for hearing these songs played live is well and truly wetted…

‘On Peregrine Wings’ is a wonderful example of how descriptive Satriani’s writing and playing is. It’s an epic song which for me reprises this magnificent bird’s flight and occasional murderous dives for prey. Incredible! The next song ‘Cataclysmic’ is a prime example of how Satriani cleverly changes pace and vibe, this time it’s mid-paced, darker and threatening with the rhythm section once again setting the tone punctuated by Satriani’s screaming and pleading guitar. Then another change this time back to slower, rambling blues with ‘San Francisco Blue’. The song boasts melody by the truckload and I can imagine it backing some high budget advert or cinematic thriller.

‘Keep On Movin’’sees keyboardist Mike Kineally shoved to the stage-front in solid partnership with Satriani. ‘All My Life’ travels along slowly and is one of the most emotional songs here as expressed by Satriani’s wailing, expressive guitar and another stunning melody.

After a long and illustrious career Satriani continues to grow as a composer and player. I’m left breathless by the scale, diversity and musicality of this instrumental adventure which is made for live performance impact. It is a superbly produced masterclass album and one that will be regarded as one of the best electric guitar albums ever recorded.  It’s that good.

5/5