April 2005

Royce Campbell
Six by Six
Moon Cycle

By Bill Milkowski

Royce Campbell takes a far more traditional approach to playing with fellow guitarists on Six By Six, a 1993 recording originally released on the Japanese Paddlewheel label and recently issued in the States by Moon Cycle. Backed by four separate swinging rhythm sections, Campbell blows fluid, bop-infused lines alongside guitar greats Larry Coryell, Pat Martino, John Abercrombie, Dave Stryker and Pizzarelli. Highlights include the blistering exchanges with Martino on a briskly tempoed "Milestones," a funky treatment of "Love for Sale" with Coryell, a burning "Angular Blues" with Abercrombie," a beautifully relaxed, swinging interpretation of Bill Evans' chamberlike "Interplay" with Stryker and a lush "Darn That Dream" with Bucky Pizzarelli. Campbell is an extremely gifted and versatile player whom jazz guitar enthusiasts would be well advised to check out.