Greg Howe

Greg Howe - Hyperacuity - 2000 - Tone Center

Hyperacuity is Greg Howe's debut offering for the Tone Center label and is an instrumental extravaganza comprised of fusion compositions that highlight Howe's incredible techniques and melodic flair. As one of the most versatile guitarists in jazz, rock, or fusion, Howe really stretches on his highly anticipated seventh solo release and follow-up to Ascend. The popular guitarist opens with "Hyperacuity," a musical personification of Howe's razor-sharp guitar licks that are further exemplified on "Blindfold." This is a "killer" jam and solidifies Howe's furious guitar licks in the annals of jazz/rock. His ability to adapt his acclaimed speed as a legato for the lower tones on "Order of Dawn" is even more reason for listeners, both new and hardcore fusionists, to get excited about Howe's musical genius. "Heat Activated" is a workout of tempos, blues-inflected changes, and great use of wah-wah frequencies that awakens a nostalgic muse with this fiery wake-up call. Along with his successful use of synth sounds and programming on Howe's cover of the Stevie Wonder classic, "I Wish," this CD becomes the musical vision realized by uniting great rock, blues, and jazz with the 21st century musical mindset of Greg Howe. © Paula Edelstein © 2013 Rovi Corp | All Rights Reserved http://www.allmusic.com/album/hyperacuity-mw0000065171

“Hyperacuity” is a fantastic instrumental mosaic of fusion, blues, jazz, rock, funk, and of course, shred from the incredibly talented guitarist, Greg Howe. The album contains six Howe originals and a cover of Stevie Wonder's "I Wish". This album is VHR by A.O.O.F.C. Listen to Greg's "Introspection" album. Just how good can a guitarist get? For a mindblowing example of an inspired guitar solo, listen to Paul Gilbert @ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AsK30xHb7mk [All tracks @ 320 Kbps: File size = 109 Mb]

TRACKS

1 Hyperacuity 5:54
2 Blindfold Drive 6:13
3 Order of Dawn 8:33
4 Heat Activated 5:03
5 Receptionist 6:28
6 Trinka 6:12
7 I Wish 6:44

All tracks composed by Steve Howe except "I Wish" by Stevie Wonder

MUSICIANS

Greg Howe - Guitars: Acoustic Guitar (Right Side) on "Order of Dawn"
Prashant Aswani - Acoustic Guitar (Left Side) on "Order of Dawn"
Dale Fisher - Bass
Kevin Soffera - Drums: Udu Drums and Beck Drum Kit on "Receptionist"

BIO

Easton, PA's Greg Howe was a breath of fresh air amidst the seemingly never-ending stream of harmonic minor guitar virtuosos pouring forth from the Shrapnel Records label in the late '80s. While other post-Yngwie Malmsteen players of the "shred guitar" genre were pursuing the dramatic neo-classical vein, Howe brought a sense of funk and groove to the table that was sorely needed. Howe paid his dues playing the Easton/Allentown club circuit in the '80s with the band Duke, featuring his brother Al on lead vocals. When one of his instrumental demos grabbed the ear of talent scout and Shrapnel Records owner Mike Varney, Howe was signed to the Shrapnel label in 1987. His all-instrumental debut, Greg Howe, featuring the talents of Billy Sheehan and Atma Anur on bass and drums, respectively, was released in 1988, to considerable acclaim. Howe's second album, High Gear, released under the moniker Howe 2, was less a solo album than a Van Halen-styled band effort, featuring his brother Al Howe on lead vocals. The band broke up after releasing its more commercially minded follow-up, Now Hear This, in 1990 and Greg Howe returned to making all-instrumental albums in his home studio, taking a decidedly more fusion-styled direction. Howe released Introspection in 1993 and Uncertain Terms in 1994 and has continued to produce albums at a prolific rate since then. Aside from releasing Parallax and Five in 1995 and 1996, respectively, Howe collaborated with fellow Pennsylvania virtuoso and Shrapnel labelmate Richie Kotzen on the Tilt album in 1995 and again on 1997's Richie Kotzen/Greg Howe Project. His last Shrapnel album, Ascend, was released in 1999, followed by his debut on the Tone Center label, Hyperacuity, released in 2000.Outside of his solo career, Greg Howe is also a sought-after sideman who has toured with the likes of Michael Jackson and N'Sync. © Andy Hinds © 2013 Rovi Corp | All Rights Reserved http://www.allmusic.com/artist/greg-howe-mn0000195552