Bass player Marco Mendoza (Soul SirkUS/Thin Lizzy/Ted Nugent/Blue Murder/Whitesnake) steps up to the kike for a very enjoyable solo album that mixes hard rock with funk and a little bit of pop thrown into the mix as well.

Former Mr.Big/Poison guitarist Richie Kotzen is the other main player on here. Of course some of Mendoza’s musical friends pop up including Ted Nugent rocking out on ‘You Got Me’ and Toto’s Steve Lukather guests on the pop rocker title track - a sure fire airplay hit.

What I love is the variety on here including two songs, ‘Lettin’ Go’ and ‘Look Out For The Boys’, both contain a heavy groove and reminded me musically and vocally at times of Glenn Hughes. In fact if Marco Mendoza does another solo outing he should hook up with Glenn Hughes as I am sure they would produce some great music. Tommy Bolin was another name that came to mind in the vocals at times and the slow burner ‘Still In Me’ sounds like a last Bolin number.

Many solo albums sound either like the musician’s other band(s) or so far out even the most ardent fan has trouble with the music. Luckily Marco Mendoza has produced a gem of an album, full of melody and top draw musicianship. It’s not Thin Lizzy or Whitesnake but it is damn fine hard rock meets funk and pop. Enjoy!

****

Review by Jason Ritchie