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Track Listing
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· Red Baron (1)
· Hot Rik's
· The Crème De Menthe Incident
· Starlight (2)
· Mightiness Part 1
· Sartori
· Echelon
· What Might Have Been
(*) Best Tracks
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Album Details
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· Produced By: Ralph Santolla
· Running Time: 34.02
· Release Date: Out Now
· Released: EU
· Genre: Instrumental Hard Rock
· LabelLink: Frontiers
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Discography / Compilations
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Review
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Ralph Santolla is one talented bugger.
He writes great songs, shreds with the best of the rock guitarists out there and is a mighty fine producer to boot!
This is the debut solo album from the Monarch/Millenium/Eyewitness founder, which also happens to be an all instrumental affair.
Shaolin Monks is an album that showcases Ralph's guitar finesses – on funky rockers like the opening Red Baron and Hot Rik's, or the anthemic AOR of The Crème De Menthe Incident, or the acoustic friendly ballad What Might Have Been.
Vinny Burns and Helge Enkelke guest on Starlight and Emerald Rain pop up again on What Might Have Been.
This is going to appeal to guitarists out there, looking for an insight into a great player, and fans of instrumental albums in general.
But to others, there may not be as much on offer here.
Basically I kept wishing I was listening to a new Millenium album, which is nothing against this, but my own personal preference.
A good solid record for fans of instrumental rock, but at only 8 tracks, a little short.
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Points Summary - The Bottom Line
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As always, a solid production and good songwriting. I think the performance is ok also, although a few heavier tracks could have spiced things up.
Art is ok, sequencing ok, but running time is lacking.
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Line Up
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· Ralph Santolla: Guitar
· Mark Prator: Drums
· Tere Bertke: Bass
· Guests: Vinny Burns, Emerald Rain, Helge Entelke, Sean Gregory
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Available
Points
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Songwriting:
40
Performance:
25
Production:
20
Sequencing:
5
Running Time:
5
Artwork:
5
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