Jan. 8, 2012

With the caress of cool, smooth guitar, celestial strings, solid rhythms, and attractive melodies, hooks and harmonic chords, veteran guitarist Gary Fuston comes forward with a commanding hold of his third and latest release, Octave Motives.

The album has a lot of charm, and most of the selections – all written and produced by Fuston – are both well-formed and well-defined.  I am grateful that artists such as Fuston continue to make very decent contributions to this genre.

There are many tracks here that will stick with you, making this CD one that should be easy to recall. There’s the up-tempo charmer “I’m Falling,” which makes great use of the previously mentioned strings, as well as exhibiting tight, supportive horns; and there’s the handsome mid-tempo “Cool Mode,” a track Fuston offers as a single, as well.  Also available as a single is the tastefully lazy, somewhat reserved “2nd Chance.”

For a heavier flavor, try the snappy “Groove Scape,” the sharp, head-boppin’ “Love Step” (my personal fave) or the rhythmic “Red Alarm.” I must say that the latter track is a bit too monotonous for me due to the repetitiveness of the somewhat overbearing keys-heavy verse and absent bridge. While there are other tracks here that are absent a bridge, they work because there is great balance and nothing appears too imposing.

Another danceable track can be found on the finale, “What It Was,” with its touch of funky.  This track shines with personality because of a strong hook, a well-pronounced melody, a nice bridge, and some very stylish guitar work from Fuston. 

All in all, Fuston does a good job of pulling this album together and molding it into something quite palatable. – Ronald Jackson