MVP (Mark Varney Project)
Centrifugal Funk

In the 1980s, Mark Varney was a kind of patron of the guitar. I can say, without exaggeration, that his hobby was discovering guitarists.

Making a list, even an approximate one, of the most famous names launched by his Legato Records is a feat, but by mentioning the most famous names, one understands the significance of this great producer: Jason Becker, Marty Friedman, Michael Lee Firkins, Ritchie Kotzen, and Paul Gilbert. But in 1991, he gifted the musical world what was then defined as a myth: there were rumors of a guitarist so skilled it was unclear what he was doing on the instrument and so imaginative he improvised in a disarming manner. I'm talking about the unfortunate but great artist that was Shawn Lane. Having discovered this great artist, all that remained was to launch him into the guitar Olympus, and Varney took care of it by building a project on which two other great Jazz-Fusion guitarists, Brett Garsed and Frank Gambale, were called to duel.

The result that emerged is a perfect mix of pure shred, fusion, jazz, and some veins of progressive named MVP, which does not mean "Most valuable players" but more simply "Mark Varney Projecty". "Centifugal Funk", this is the title of the album, is a dazzling journey into virtuosity and harmonic explorations of music articulated in 8 instrumentals, in which only 2 tracks feature the three artists battling simultaneously ("So What" and "Lovestruck"). The project may seem difficult to assimilate for those not familiar with the genre, but the appearance of the names is deceiving: the notes glide quickly from the initial "Actual proof", marked by Steve Tavaglione's sax and the initial and acrobatic (as well as unique) solo by Frank Gambale. But already in the following "So What", the solos that alternate are of incredible fury and mastery: already amazed by Jimmy Earl's bass solo, we cannot remain impassive in front of the majesty of the three guitar heroes, who chase and challenge each other in fast yet meaningful phrases, dense with musicality. "Hey Tree Bone" presents incredible jazz nuances and it's impossible for me not to be entranced by the melodic speed of Lane or Garsed.

The album might seem monotonous at times, but after listening to it more and more, you realize how many notes are discovered with each new listen: every phrase always takes on new life. The following "Tokyo Blue" is steeped in romance, very melodic and it's chilling the acoustic solo and the sax solo. From here, we return to pure virtuosity with "Splatch" and "Elegant People", endowed with rare intensity, both represent real jazzistic and fusion anthems with alternations of melodic and rhythmic lines, with significant changes in tone and with traits that recall the most genuine funk. It closes with the beautiful and captivating "Lovestruck", which sees all the guitarists in the duel again, plus guest TJ Helmerich. This disc is a summary of great music, professionalism, and technique, all in 8 tracks with the delicious flavor of music. Don't be fooled if the names are those of ultra-technical guitarists. In part, it's true, but these three great sacred monsters know how to make their instruments sing, even when speed is the only way.

It is so easy to get carried away by the rhythms of this album that you will fall in love with it for how beautiful it is and for how, with each listen, it reveals more and more pieces of its soul.