Artist: Miguel Mega CD Title: "Coastline" Reviewed by: Nick Martinelli Reviewed: 8/19/2001

     Miguel Mega's "Coastline" is so groove driven, it will have you up dancing around your house, car, or where ever you like to get down and boogie!  It's packed with high energy jazz rock fusion with a Latin feel.  Miguel gives it his all and it's nothing short of a excellent instrumental release!  I love his use of melodies and hooks mixed in with some of the fattest guitar grooves on the planet.  I would highly recommend this CD to fans who like fun, catchy and groove orientated guitar.  This has to be one of the coolest releases I've heard in 2001.  It for sure makes my top ten of favorite instrumental releases.  Mega's guitar playing very soulful and enlightening, it's great to hear new guitar players with a style and flare of their own.  Mega's ripping covers all lead grounds, from pentatonic madness to shred, to Latin.  Talking about diversity!  If you think Carlos Santana lays down a fat groove, check out Mega's rhythm chops.

     "Under Any Circumstances" track one starts off the CD with an excellent vibe and Mega sucks you in with his very infectious grooves.  The main hook line at 1:10 is very melodic and catchy, you'll be humming that one all day.  One thing I'd like to point out is his use of free form leads throughout the song.  Not many players can get away with this without it sounding like total improvisation.  Mega's skills really shine, and you can tell he is well practiced.  I also like the backing instruments in this song.  I'll keep mentioning the word "groove" in this review, because his band really lays a solid foundation for Mega's lead playing.  Overall, this is song was a great choice for an opener.  It's not overbearing, it just sucks you in wanting to hear more.

     Track two, "Coastline" is one of my favorite songs of this CD.  This track opens with some interesting hammer on pull off lines that lead into cool touch harmonics. Then the  main melody line comes in and it's so melodic it's not even funny.  Mega has a great talent for writing hook lines that sick inside you.  Their like a anaconda snake who wraps around you and squeezes the melody into you until you burst, then devours you with his groove laden rhythms.  Seeing that Miguel is from Brazil, I'm sure he keeps a few around during his stage shows. (Just kidding)  1:18 - 1:54 marks the best lead section in the song, starting of with a great climbing rock/metal idea, then into some nice slides, and then tops it off with some of the best bending lines I've ever heard!  I can see why Mega choose this song for the album title, it's defiantly one of Mega's best works.  Keep your ears open for all his fills, and leads; I think you'll be blown away with the skill, precision, soul of his playing. Ok, for you Jazz heads check out 3:16 - 3:45 for some killer jazz leads, I was impressed.

     Move over Santana, "Como Yo!," track three will give you a run for your money.  It's packed with some of the most high energy pentatonics I've heard.  I also like how Mega incorporated the tenor saxophone and alto, into the track.  If you listen closely you can hear Mega doubling the melody lines for a huge sound.  This song is another groove driven song, with hard hitting melodies and a to die for rhythm section.

     Track four" Maresias" takes it down a few notches and brings the album down to a calm level.  Mega's leads are very tasty and soulful.  He really has an ear for melody and it shows in this song.  Another thing I would like to mention is that Miguel never uses the same lead lick twice in a song.  He explores all elements of lead playing, using bends, slides, stuttering and more.  So you get a real "buffet of soloing" in his playing.  I would also like to bring to light the excellent bass work on this song, it really carries that song on its shoulders,  being very pop orientated.  Again, I like Mega's addition of the sax into his songs.  Not many artists incorporate other instruments into their songs, it was a really treat to hear it spice the song up.

     Give the dog a bone, Batman!  "Street Dog Bone" track five is a down and dirty jam that will take you to new musical levels.  The main hook line 00:52 is one of Mega's strongest ones.  It's defiantly catchy that's for sure.  There are so many great licks in this song I don't have room to spell them all out for you, so please keep your ears open and listen closely for the montage of soul.  Well here is, one you you shred heads, a cool arpeggio section at 2:45- 2:48 (I couldn't resist). 

     "Moonstruck" track 6 is another slower number that has lots of strong sax playing in it.  You can really get a feel for Miguel's love of jazz.  And it's not elevator music that's for sure.  Lots of cool guitar lines and lead spots.  The pace and meter in this song is very peaceful and calming.  It's a good one to whind down with.  Also, listen for some great keyboard work, they are a little hard to hear over the sax lines, but I really feel that they are a big highlight in the song.  And yes, the sax playing killer as well, very soulful.

     Track seven, "Vibration" gets the steam going again.  It's a fast paced song with a high energy rhythm section.  The drums are very upbeat and the bass lays down a big groove.  Check Mega's use of octaves for the rhythm section.  It's rarely done in most rhythm playing, and Mega drives it on home, with this smoking guitar riff! I also like Miguel's usage of touch harmonics through out the song as well. And you just got to love the blues leads that end the track.  It's a very strong song and defiantly is a animal of its own.

     Track eight "Inside Out" will seriously turn you inside out with it's odd sounding opening guitar licks.  The main hook has got to be one of the most strangest sound (in a good way) melodies I've ever heard.  The saxophone in this song also contributes to the atmosphere and gives the song a smoother feel.  Mega backs off a bit and lets the sax take over,  I think it was a wise choice for this song.  The sax parts really fit the song well, and after hearing it, I don't think guitar could have done those melodies justice.  So you see Mega is no ego freak, who has to have the spotlight all the time.  He has a keen ear for writing strong compositions and this song is a testament to that.

     "Changes" track nine is a really good name for this song.  There are lots of feel changes throughout the song.  Sax and guitar trade off the spotlight all the way through.  This track is very versatile in its movements.  Each part progresses effortlessly into the next.  The main melody line reinstates itself many times throughout the song, with just a little extra each time it comes back in.  If I had to describe this song in one word it would be "atmospheric,"  because the song is very layered and textured.  Great guitar tones, keyboards, drums, bass, and soulful sax playing blend together for an amazing display of musical skill and variety.

     "While You Were There" track ten, is a beautiful song.  It's the type of song perfect for reflecting on memories, experiences and love ones that you've shared throughout life.  It's very peaceful and tranquil.  Just Miguel and his acoustic.  Mega's guitar playing just flows with soul  This song is one of my favorites of the whole CD.  There not five million parts, just a few that will wisp you away in a gentle wind.

     Looking, back I'd have to say, "WOW!"  Miguel Mega's "Coastline" is packed with jazz rock fusion that will leave you craving more.  To be honest I'm not much of a jazz fan, but Mega may have turned the other cheek for me.  He isn't a standard jazz player, he is more upbeat and full of spirit.  His rock lead playing is killer as well.  Plenty of shred and chops that will have you craving a forth release from Mr. Mega.  You can feel his Brazilian heritage and Latin influences in "Como Yo!" and his rock influences on "Coastline" and "Vibration."  Please do your soul a favor and check out this disc, I really think you'll fall in love with it, just as I did.  Adios amigos, and get your groove on with Miguel Mega's "Coastline"