FRANK GAMBALE - Natural High (2006) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

Although marketed in guitar publications alongside the top "shredders" of the late '80s, Australian guitarist Frank Gambale certainly stood out from the pack. Although he favored the same guitar make as Steve Vai and Joe Satriani -- Ibanez -- Gambale was from the jazz fusion school, not the hard rock/heavy metal side of the tracks. After all, he first appeared on scene as part of Chick Corea's Elektric Band. And while his solo recordings from this era wouldn't sound completely out of place on The Late Show with David Letterman (1989's Thunder from Down Under certainly had a "Paul Shaffer flair"), by the early 21st century Gambale was ready to switch gears, as evidenced by 2006's Natural High. Picking up an acoustic guitar, the majority of the album is Gambale accompanied by just piano and bass, with percussion joining in on four of the album's nine tracks. There's some nifty guitar and bass interplay throughout the album, but especially on the album-opening "You Are All the Things," as well as "D's Living Room," while the self-explanatory "Scottish Highlands" is another highlight. If it's challenging jazz fusion that you're looking for, this isn't the place. But for relaxing, acoustic guitar-led jazz that would sound perfect in the background, Natural High is recommended. by Greg Prato  
Tracklist :
1    You Are All The Things    7:30
2    We'll Remember December    7:19
3    D's Living Room    7:06
4    Fortune    6:18
5    The Long And Short Of It    7:38
6    Have You Met Tom Jones?    7:06
7    Principesa    5:47
8    Scottish Highlands    8:34
9    Another Challenger    7:25
Credits :
Bass – Alain Caron
Percussion – Mike Shapiro (pistas: 3, 5, 7 to 8)
Piano – Otmaro Ruiz
Producer, Acoustic Guitar, Written-by, Mixed By, Photography [Scottish Highland Pictures] – Frank Gambale