Completed in March 2004, “Sweet Release” is Jim’s debut CD. It features all original tunes, and conveys a definite rock vibe. However, it attempts to go beyond standard rock arrangements and feel, without losing the edge and emotion that is rock’s greatest asset. “I am first and foremost a rock player, but I always look for ways to work beyond the expected rock harmonies. To me, many otherwise very strong rock players get trapped that way.”   

While featuring electric guitar on the majority of the tunes, the CD also features two acoustic entries that lean more towards the “world acoustic” genre than towards rock. “Maybe it’s part of my Spanish heritage, but the nylon acoustic numbers, particularly ‘Sangria’, really speak to me. I love the purity of the acoustic sound. It’s certainly a direction that I’ll be exploring more in the future”.

The CD was recorded and mixed entirely in Jim’s PC-based home studio. Final mastering touches were applied by Trevor Sadler at MasterMind Productions in Milwaukee, WI. Jim was responsible for all instruments except drums, which were supplied by Ted Pappas, a Milwaukee area drummer. The drums tracks were generated by capturing Roland VDrums MIDI output, and using it to trigger PC-based drum samples.

Audio Clips from "Sweet Release" (mp3)
1. Into The Light
2. The Great Escape
3. Oceans Between Us
4. Sangria
5. Ice Rain
6. Confessions
7. Road Less Traveled
8. Mind's Eye
9. True Colors

Reviews

Holy S*#@t, (excuse the expression) but your CD sounds awesome! Not sure where to start, but the guitar playing is clean, punchy, technically impressive, with very sophisticated rock harmonies and progressions.  Excellent chops…   …Extremely impressive and very original. I have to say that I have not heard guitar playing like that in a very, very long time. 

- Al Guardi – Bassist – Naperville IL

Your CD is incredible...you sound better than most of the established guitarists making CD's now. Very well written, produced, and performed.

- Steve Williams – Guitarist – Honolulu HI

…Your guitar work is very impressive and I mean that!  Outstanding!  It's a mix of Eric Johnson and Satriani…

- John Ianni – Bassist – Kenosha WI

Due for release in December 2004, “One Voice” is a special CD that will feature solo guitar exclusively (no overdubs), with creative interpretations of a surprising mix of classic pop and rock tunes. Offers Jim: “The songs on this CD presented some very unique challenges. To execute these arrangements in a solo setting, I needed to use both hands – all 10 fingers – all the time, as opposed to simply playing with a pick. And the level of syncopation necessary to play bass lines, rhythm and melody simultaneously was definitely an area of growth for me. But, the ability to play a song, the whole song, and then to add your own creative interpretation, cannot be emphasized enough. It is of immense benefit to any guitarist.” Here are some candidates for inclusion on the CD:

1. Eleanor Rigby (Beatles)
2. American Woman (Guess Who)
3. Mercy Street (Peter Gabriel)
4. Mrs. Robinson (Simon and Garfunkel)
5. Smoke on the Water (Deep Purple)
6. What a Fool Believes (Doobie Brothers)
7. Lady Madonna (Beatles)