Daryll Dobson: Healing Intentions

Guitarist and composer Daryll Dobson and a tight, hard-working group offer Healing Intentions (Midnight Lamp Cybermedia Arts MLCA 9091-82005-2; 46:40), a showcase for some dramatic, white-knuckle fusion, as well as a few oddball lighter pieces aimed at general audiences. The majority of Dobson’s Intentions play like a fusion lover’s headbanger’s ball, with heavy growl-to-squeal guitar work and big drum crescendos highlighting tracks like the Hendrix cover “Third Stone from the Sun,” and “With My Wings.” Dobson’s bristling, fleet electric solos also highlight an unexpected take on the Marvin Gaye classic “Trouble Man,” and skate madly over dark revolving bass undercurrents on the sometimes cacophonous “We Cannot Hear… the Killing Noise.” The odd pieces here are softer fare, like “Be the Light,” which finds Dobson stretching for a more spindly, clean sound. For the most part-down to long drum solo breaks and crazed distortion riffs-the guitarist stays true to his core Intentions, offering fusion which is not for the faint of heart.

Originally Published October 1, 1998