Jo Satriani at Bristol’s Colston Hall on May 17

6:56pm Sunday 4th May 2008

Professor Satchafunkilus and the Musterion of Rock is out now on SonyBMG. Satriani plays Bristol Colston Hall on May 17.

Joe Satriani is the ultimate musicians' musician, a hero of many latter day stars and budding guitarists alike.

His latest album Professor Satchafunkilus and the Musterion of Rock is a must-have for any guitar fan and indeed anyone who appreciates rock music in all its forms.

The CD moves through every rock incarnation known to musician, kicking off with the title track that lives up to its name with a mysterious intro and film score feel that builds to a crescendo of tidal rock riffs.

Overdriver has a more eerie feel to begin with, which again steadily climbs the riffs of mountainous melody.

The hit single I Just Wanna Rock has a catchy biker chorus and singing guitar that everyone associates with this fine master of his instrument.

Professor Satchafunkilus has more of a funky beat and Revelation is a mastodome of a track showing that rock guitar is far from being a prehistoric monster, long forgotten, but a lively beast that is still out there kicking some butt.

Come On Baby has a slower more melodic feel and Out Of The Sunrise has a clubby beat.

Joe obviously has a finely tuned sense of humour too, which explodes in Diddle-Y-A-Doo-Dat. The track has a dancey, feel-good factor and is upbeat and quirky.

Asik Vaysel is rock in the pure Satriani style, only compared to such greats as Carlos Santana.

Andalusia again is a track that lives up to its name with some glorious Flamenco flowering from the master's fingers.

Joe Satriani is obviously a strong influence on the guitar bands such as the Zutons and Kings Of Leon of today and long will he be hero of rock. - Flicky Harrison

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