Search - George Lynch :: Sacred Groove

Sadly underrated. A must for guitar fans -- it rocks!

I. MUNOZ | Montreal, PQ, Canada | 03/14/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is a diverse album that has it all, from powerful vocal tunes to crunchy modern metal songs to virtuoso guitar instrumentals. No weak track here, believe me. In fact, I think I was very lucky to put my hands on this CD, which came to me just by chance. So, let's review it song by song:The album opens with the psychedelic intro "Memory Jack", which derives into the explosive instrumental "Love Power from the Mama Head". If you like Joe Satriani and/or Tony MacAlpine, you'll surely like these two tracks too. Nothing new there, but a worthy listening anyways - mostly if you are a guitar geek, as I am :-).Then, track number three ("Flesh and blood") suddenly changes the overall mood. Being a thunderous song with some progressive/power metal touches, it reminds me the early Queensrÿche, or something like that. The potent vocals of Ray Gillen and the superb axework of George Lynch form a killer combination in this track.The fourth track, "We don't own this world", has a glam/hair metal wave, but its vocals are also great and it sounds heavy and energetic. And its guitar solo is so brilliant! This track is a must, in spite of its commercial taste.Then it comes the instrumental "I will remember", which have some neoclassic influences and has a sad atmosphere all along. I really enjoy this track because it's slow and beautiful. However, I always feel like if it wasn't the first time I listen to it - perhaps it somehow reminds me MacAlpine's "Tears of Sahara" (where Lynch also played as a guest musician).But suddenly, another stylistic shift arrives. In "The Beast" 1 & 2 the band plays with attitude. Both "beasts" are plenty of crunchy riffs, grunge and heavy tones reaching for a more contemporary sound. Lyrics are intentionally shocking and punky. I love those tracks too, as the sexist lyrics and the raspy vocals evidently have more humorous than serious intentions.Tracks 8 and 9 are pretty conventional hard rock songs that are in the same vein of "We don't own this world". They also make their marks because of Glenn Hughes's vocals and Lynch's guitar wizardry - which is by the way completely showcased all along the entire album, and these two songs are no exception.Then the last track closes the show. "Tierra del fuego" is an instrumental that deserves some special attention. It has a Narada/modern flamenco/latin music stylistic flair, with the guest guitarist Derryl Gabel shining on his own, together with Lynch. Al DiMeola's influences are evident there, so this track can easily be considered fusion rock; but Lynch manages to graciously blend its heavy guitar to the mix, thus obtaining a sheer piece of eclectic music.I think this album stands apart from anything Lynch has done so far, and I sincerely don't see any point in comparing this to Dokken - I would have wished that Dokken had ever sounded like this! Therefore, I give to "Sacred Groove" 4 stars and a half (even five stars!), for being a solid release that definitively honors Lynch's name. Underrated and criminally underpromoted, I hope you guys will be as lucky as I was when I found it in a used discs store. Don't miss this album if you can, please!"

Dokken/Lynch/Pilson Fan

Steven E. Clark | Jefferson City, Missouri United States | 06/25/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I purchased Sacred Groove from the used section of Amazon.com coz I had heard and read that it wasn't that great and after buying it I can safely say that it was well worth the used price (under $5). Although its not a great album as a whole, it still has fantastic individual tracks. The opening tracks,#1"Memory Jack",#2"Love Power From The Moma Head", spoils you into eagerly anticipating more of the same, so thats part of the let down, I'm sure, for most people but the next song, #3, is an instant classic, in my book, with a killer sound and Ray Gillen belting out his wonderful vocals. #5,"I Will Remember",is worthy of burning onto a "favorites" CD as is #8 "Not Necessary Evil" I mean who doesn't like Glen Hughes? He's almost like one of our founding fathers of hard rock! #9 "Cry of the Brave" is just as good, again with Hughes vocals urging you to crank it up and sing along. #10 "Tierra Del Fuego" is a very cool instrumental with a Spanish feel to it that makes you wanna clench a rose between your teeth, grab a sinyorita and do the tango!Nice close for the album. Unfortunately I can't compliment the other songs so I'll leave you to your own conclusions on them. But bottom line, if your a Lynch fan, you wont be disappointed especially if you get a good used copy for just a few bucks its well worth adding to your collection. Hope this helps my fellow music lovers!"

The Lynchman Rocketh

J. Halley, Jr. | Scenic Valley | 01/13/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I have had a "hit-and-miss" experience when buying CD's with George playing on them -- whether it be with Dokken, Lynch Mob or George solo. Some of his efforts are definately more heart-felt than others. GL, along with such other West-Coast greats as Randy Rhodes, Jeff Watson, and Brad Gillis, came up out of nowhere in the rear-view mirrors of everyone else who were gawking at the skills of Eddie VH in the early '80's. For me personally, I was looking for an American metal guitar "hero" who could counter the likes of Britain's Glenn Tipton or Sweden's Malmsteen. Well, for me, this is the album where George rose to the occasion -- a definite shining moment for Old Glory in the metal field. George proves on this effort that he can go head to head with anybody in any category, and in some cases best them. With George it is always about finding the right tone, but on this CD everything comes together -- speed, composition, feeling, you name it -- GL lets it fly. Gor for it George, this is you in your element and when you're good there's none better!"