The Guitar Channel

Favorite Albums of 2012

2012 was a tremendous year for progressive guitar music. Here are my favorite releases of the year, in no particular order.

 

Michael Landau - Organic Instrumentals

Landau's first instrumental album since 1990's Tales From The Bulge is one of my favorite guitar records in many years, let alone this one. Awesome tones, dynamic playing, deep writing. A must-have for serious guitar geeks.

Wayne Krantz - Howie 61

Krantz took a bold new step with this album, and the results are rich and engrossing. A fantastic production filled with heady writing, and an amazing lineup of musicians.

Jimmy Herring - Subject To Change Without Notice

Awesome follow-up to 2008's Lifeboat. Highly textured with killer playing and grooves.

Alex Machacek, Raphael Preuschl, Herbert Pirker - FAT

Adventurous and dynamic with a great variety of guitar tones. Further proof that Machacek is among the most forward-thinking modern jazz composers of his generation.

Kurt Rosenwinkel - Star of Jupiter

Can't get enough of this one. Uber-deep jazz record, filled with great writing and improvisation.

Chad Smith's Bombastic Meatbats - Live Meat And Potatoes

Funky, energetic live release with killer guitar work from Jeff Kollman. Nobody grooves like the Meatbats.

OHMPhrey - Posthaste

Stellar recording from the OHM-meets-Umphrey's McGee supergroup. Loaded with great riffs and playing. Everybody shines here, but the twin guitar attack of Chris Poland and Jake Cinninger is particularly awesome.

Scott Henderson, Jeff Berlin, Dennis Chambers - HBC

What a band. Killer disc packed with guitar-driven trio versions of fusion classics. Henderson is amazing as always.

Karizma - Perfect Harmony

A 3-disc smorgasbord from keyboardist/composer David Garfield's classic west coast jazz band. Features a who's-who of the genre's luminaries, including Michael Landau.

The Aristocrats - Boing, We'll Do It Live!

Amazing live CD/DVD release with insane playing and band interplay. Guthrie Govan's guitar work is both musical and mind-blowing.

Other favorites from 2012:

Prashant Aswani - Visions
Chris Poland, Frank Catalano, Sean O'Bryan Smith, Jim Gifford - Polcat
Tribal Tech - X
Tohpati Bertiga - Riot
John McLaughlin & the 4th Dimension - Now Here This
Paul Gilbert - Vibrato
Gary Husband - Dirty & Beautiful, Vol. 2
OHM - Tsunami Jams
Ed DeGenaro - Holiday In Madras
Flying Colors
Chad Wackerman - Dreams, Nightmares and Improvisations
Chris Buck - 3 Crows
Jason Sadites - Broken
Renegade Creation - Bullet
Led Zeppelin - Celebration Day
Van Halen - A Different Kind of Truth (Ed note: \m/)

See Also:

Favorite Albums of 2011
Favorite Albums of 2010
Favorite Albums of 2009
Favorite Albums of 2008
Favorite Albums of 2007
Favorite Albums of 2006

Video: Chris Poland Gear Interview

New interview with Chris Poland discussing his gear, and answering questions from the OHM Facebook page.

More news from the Chris Poland camp... OHM:, the main project of guitarist Chris Poland plays the famed Iridium Jazz Club in NYC on Nov 23 (Black Friday). This will mark the debut of OHM: at the club, where Poland brought his side project, PolCat earlier this year.

OHM:, a band that some describe as jazz metal, is currently recording their 4th studio effort in Poland's Los Angeles-based studio, Glass House. Songtitles include "Columbus," "Fathers of Intention," "Sisters of the Agile," and "The Deep Blue."

Poland also keeps busy with studio sessions having recently contributed guitar solos to "Goodbye to Romance" and "Run to the Hills" for Ozzy and Iron Maiden tribute recordings on Versailles Records. There is talk of some other band projects in 2013 as well more session work planned.

Video: OHM - Live Super Bowl Party Performance

OHM performing live at a Super Bowl party for military heroes produced by Matthew Gonzales of MattG Productions.

Video: OHMPhrey - Live at The Baked Potato

OHMPhrey live at The Baked Potato performing "Tom Bombadil" from their upcoming album Posthaste. OHMPhrey features Chris Poland (guitar) and Robertino "Pag" Pagliari (bass) from OHM, and Jake Cinninger (guitar), Joel Cummins (keys), and Kris Myers (drums) from Umphrey's McGee.

New OHMphrey Album "Posthaste" To Be Released April 10th

The new OHMphrey album, Posthaste, will be released April 10th 2012 on Magna Carta Records. OHMphrey features the combined jam-fusion forces of Chris Poland (guitar) and Robertino "Pag" Pagliari (bass) from OHM, and Jake Cinninger (guitar), Joel Cummins (keys), and Kris Myers (drums) from Umphrey's McGee. Check out their 2009 self-titled debut if you haven't already. See below for the Posthaste tracklisting.

OHMphrey - Posthaste

1. Devil's in the Details
2. The Sun Also Rises
3. Tom Bombadil
4. The River Runs
5. The Shoemaker's Back
6. Ramona's Car Wash
7. Reggaelic
8. Firestarter (Live Version)   
9. 20/20 (Live Version)

Videos: OHM & Polcat at The Baked Potato - 1/24/12

OHM joined by Don Roper and Frank Catalano

Polcat w/ Malcolm-Jamal Warner - "Microphone Check"

Photos and Mini-Review: OHM & Polcat - Live at Alva's 1/20/12

One of the highlights of my recent NAMM trip was seeing the double bill of OHM and Polcat  - which both feature Chris Poland on guitar - at Alva's in San Pedro CA on Friday, January 20th. Though I've seen OHM several times, I was particularly interested in this gig as it was my first time seeing the band with drummer David Eagle, who was really great. The band was ferocious as always; super intense from start to finish. Bassist Robert 'Pag' Pagliari also had a fantastic solo spot, and Poland's playing and killer tones seem to get better every time I see him.

Second on the bill was the first-ever live performace by Polcat, which made it a real treat to see. Their debut album should be released soon (you can pre-order and listen to samples here), and I can tell you the material is way-cool. Led by Poland and sax phenom Frank Catalano, Polcat's music is a funky mix of jazz and rock that reminded me at times of the legendary New York fusion band Lost Tribe. I was very curious to see how Poland would fit in with a band like this, and came away with the impression that his input is the 'secret sauce' that gives the group it's unique vibe, or at least contributes greatly to it. Poland's quirky, often 'outside,' harmonic sense lends a distinctive sound to the band that it wouldn't have with any other guitarist. Polcat also features bassist Sean O'Bryan Smith and drummer Jim Gifford - both monster players. I was seriously digging O'Bryan's flanged tone and Gifford's work on such a minimal kit. Can't wait to hear the album. Follow the link below for my photos from this great night.

Photos: OHM & Polcat - Live at Alva's 1/20/12

 

UPDATE: The Polcat album is currently available through iTunes.

Video: OHM - "Where's My Hat" Live at Alva's 1/20/12

Here's a short video I shot of OHM at Alva's Showroom on 1/20/12. Chris Poland - guitar, Robert Pagliari - bass, David Eagle - drums. Sorry for the focus issues.

Chris Poland Live Dates with OHM, OHMphrey, Polcat

Several shows coming up on the west coast with Chris Poland's bands OHM, OHMphrey, and his latest project Polcat (Look for Polcat's debut album in 2012). See dates and locations below. Also, OHM will be calling in to Mark Torres' "Travel Tips for Atzlan" show on KPFK 90.7 FM in Los Angeles on November 26th.

Dec 1st, 2011  OHMphrey  Winston's - San Diego, CA

Dec 2nd, 2011  OHMphrey  Viper Room - Hollywood, CA  Cancelled

Dec 3rd, 2011  OHMphrey  Slim's - San Francisco, CA

Jan 20th, 2012  OHM & Polcat (Double Bill)  Alva's - San Pedro, CA

Jan 22nd, 2012  Polcat  Salvador's Jazz Suite - Los Angeles, CA 

Jan 24th, 2012  OHM & Polcat (Double Bill)  Baked Potato - Studio City, CA


The Lineups

OHM: Chris Poland - Guitar, Robertino "Pag" Pagliari - Bass, David Eagle - Drums

OHMphrey: Chris Poland - Guitar, Robertino "Pag" Pagliari - Bass, Jake Cinninger - Guitar, Joel Cummins - Keys, Kris Myers - Drums
   
Polcat: Chris Poland - Guitar, Frank Catalano - Tenor Saxophone, Sean O'Bryan Smith - Bass, Jim Gifford - Drums

Photos: OHMphrey - Live at Park West, Chicago IL 10/8/11

Saw OHMphrey at the Park West in Chicago last night (feat Chris Poland (guitar) and Robertino "Pag" Pagliari (bass) from OHM, and Jake Cinninger (guitar), Joel Cummins (keys), and Kris Myers (drums) from Umphrey's McGee). Killer show. Their new material is seriously grooving; can't wait for the new album to come out. See link below for a gallery of my pics.

Photos: OHMphrey - Live at Park West, Chicago IL 10/8/11

OHMphrey 2011 Midwest Tour Dates

OHMPhrey will be playing the following dates in the midwest this October. Featuring Chris Poland (guitar) and Robertino "Pag" Pagliari (bass) from OHM, and Jake Cinninger (guitar), Joel Cummins (keys), and Kris Myers (drums) from Umphrey's McGee, the fusion supergroup will be releasing a follow-up to their 2009 self-titled debut later this year.

October 5th Bell's - Kalamazoo, MI

October 6th Majestic Theatre - Madison, WI

October 7th Canopy Club - Urbana, IL

October 8th Park West - Chicago, IL

Video: OHMphrey - Live at the Baked Potato 6/10/11 "Someone Said You Were Dead"

OHMphrey playing "Someone Said You Were Dead" live at The Baked Potato on 6/10/11. With Chris Poland (guitar) and Robertino "Pag" Pagliari (bass) from OHM, and Jake Cinninger (guitar), Joel Cummins (keys), and Kris Myers (drums) from Umphrey's McGee.