The keyboardist who played with Dream Theater, Alice Cooper and Billy Idol released his latest offering on July 1, available everywhere now.
Virtuoso keyboardist Derek Sherinian released his latest solo effort, “The Vortex,” on July 1 via InsideOutMusic.
Sherinian, who has performed alongside Dream Theater, Alice Cooper and Billy Idol, has been compared to Deep Purple keyboardist Jon Lord by former Deep Purple member and front man for Whitesnake David Coverdale, who said that Sherinian “plays like Jon Lord’s son.”
The instrumental album is chock full of guest appearances from high profile guitar players including Mike Stern who has played with Blood, Sweat and Tears and Miles Davis, former Ozzy guitarist and Black Label Society frontman Zakk Wylde, Michael Schenker formerly of U.F.O. and Scorpions, Nuno Bettencourt of Extreme, Bumblefoot of Guns N’ Roses and Sons of Apollo, and Steve Stevens of Billy Idol. The lineup is rounded out by prolific studio drummer Simon Phillips and bassist Tony Franklin.
The record’s standout track is certainly its single, “Scorpion,” which features Sherinian on acoustic piano accompanied only by the rhythm section. Its complex rhythmic shifts and virtuosic playing will be pleasurable to fans of experimental music, as well as fans of Sherinian’s more rock-based work. Although there are some more straightforward rockers on here, songs like “Seven Seas,” “Key Lime Blues” and “Nomad’s Land” experiment with elements of jazz and funk, showcasing the diversity of Sherinian’s talents.
Fans of any of Sherinian’s former groups, any of the collaborators on the album or instrumental rock music should certainly consider giving “The Vortex” a listen; they won’t be disappointed.
I play, I write, I play, I write...
