Randy Roos – Mistral (1978, LP, Usa)

Tracklist:

A1 Stew 5:15
A2 Platypus 3:31
A3 Inward Stroke 4:30
A4 The Hunt 4:42
B1 Horizon Game 5:40
B2 Innisfree 5:40
B3 Marcel Marceau 7:44

Musicians:
Bass – Neil Stubenhaus
Drums – Louis DeAndrade
Guitar – Mike Stern, Randy Roos
Percussion – Alyrio Lima
Tabla – Pandit Shasi Noyak

Boston based Berklee graduate guitarist Randy Roos was originally in a band called Orchestra Luna, an album that used to turn up quite a bit in my crate digging days. This album is quite a bit different from that, and is a guitar fronted instrumental jazz fusion - a style that was quite popular back in those days, especially from Masters level grad students like Roos. It's the rougher edge that Roos brings forth that I find appealing, and thus scores an extra point from me. Roos is clearly a master of his instrument of choice, and overall Mistral will occasionally call out Al Di Meola circa Elegant Gypsy or Casino. I was also reminded of the German group Syncrisis, in the more fiery moments. Essential for fans of guitar fronted fusion. (ashratom)