The 1st solo album of German guitarplayer Thorsten Praest, featuring performances of GREG HOWE, Adrian Weiss and Benjamin Schippritt.
**GITARRE + BASS 10/2019**
”There is a lot of throttle here! Bassist Slawek Semeniuk, drummer Ulf Stricker and guitarist & bandleader Thorsten Praest play classic jazz-rock, so the more edgy and interesting fusion music. And their music really rocks and grooves extremely. Praest manages to create exciting moments on this really extensively researched retro terrain, because of his remarkable technique and tasteful musicality. His compositions do not redefine the genre, but they are extremely to the point, thrillingly arranged, and guitaristically, as in terms of the rhythm section, magnificently realized. The instrumental sounds are right here, the entire production sounds extremely powerful and always surprises with very plastic spatial effects."
**GUITAR 12/2019**
“The new instrumental album by Thorsten Praest is recommended for fans of fusion-soaked rock sounds. The Dusseldorfer, who is well trained in jazz and rock, knows how to eloquently display his know-how in the hardrock with the title track "Driven". Playfully, he combines scale material from rock, jazz, blues and funk and skilfully meets these different worlds. For example, the different stylistic facets in "Frizzled" create a varied mood that always pick up the listener and surprises him. For "Mai Lin", Praest hired fusion master Greg Howe for a guest solo. Even in the purely acoustic held "Black Flowers" the genre-crossing musician convinces completely.”
**FLIGHT OF PEGASUS 12/2019**
"The first personal album of the German guitarist is not only interesting for those who systematically deal with fusion and jazz, but also for those who long for a nice and pleasant sound, beyond appropriate and sloppy impression attempts. Here you have the opportunity to meet the friendly side of a capable instrumental player, his casual but accurate playing in a clear and well-made context."
**CROSSFIRE-METAL.DE**
"Driven" has become a typical instrumental album for guitar fans. I would rather advise shredder fetishists, because the ten-part work is far from continuing the shrapnel era. The Six-Stringer, together with the support of bassist Slawek Semeniuk and drummer Ulf Stricker, serves us a great deal of sensitivity."
Fresh approach to music and very adventurous approach to music, sense of humor. I quickly ran out and bought all the FAT albums and everything with Alex as a leader. Alex is a great guitarist as well. Good luck to them in any venture they find themselves in. Fusionbass470