"From the Shore" is a disc that is a wonderful listening experience. The musicianship is first class and Rick Balestra's understated approach makes the music accessible to hard core jazz enthusiast and casual listener alike. Rick chooses three ways in which to impart his musical message: a full sextet, an organ trio and solo guitar. He succeeds in all efforts and the CD has a seamless musical progression from beginning to end. Highly recommended!
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It's timely, it's tasteful, it's technically awesome but most importantly, it's great music! 
(this "reviewer" is guilty of understatement). 

"From the Shore": Probably the best "live feel in the studio" CD ever recorded. 

As Guitarist / Composer / Producer / Teacher Rick Balestra states in the "liner notes": The recording process used for this session ... the musicians played live and recorded anywhere from one to three takes of each tune, and then Rick (Montalbano) and I chose the best overall performance.... 

- Very effective approach to the recording process, to say the very least. 
The tracks on this CD sit the listener right in the middle of the "live" ensemble - 
and what an ensemble it is!

Leader and master musician Rick Belestra besides having massive "technical chops" also has a gift - impossible to describe, however it's clear, from the very first note that Rick's concept of tone is amazing - as and when needed it is sweet or has a bite, aggressive or passive, dark, airy, fun, silly and serious. Just the sound of his instrument is enough to stir the emotions. But that's only the beginning - as any talented pro musician will tell you, it's not about the notes, it's about when you play them. Without a doubt the wonderful treatments given to each track concerning form, concepts, instrumentation and interpretation are unbelievably outstanding - all due to Rick's leadership. 

However, Rick (Belestra) is not alone - the rest of the ensemble is very special - and they deliver outstanding performances. 

Rick Montalbano shines - well, more like explodes - on acoustic piano, digital piano the classic Hammond B3 organ - what a wonderful instrument - and Rick (Montalbano) utilizes it to the max!

Geoff Kraly, Bass - provides much more than a foundation (though he does that extraordinarily well) - 
his 'shaping' of bass lines and subtle inflections tastefully enhance each of the tracks on which he appears.  
Brendan Van Epps, Tenor Sax - gives just the right color to the ensemble and very inspired solos 
(track 2 "Spot the Monkey" being one fine example).
Ron Glick, Drums - right on target! Ron appears on all tracks except "Another Chance" and gracefully moves from each musical and recording "environment" to the next with amazing skill.
Larry Belestra, Percussion - Rick (Belestra) has a brother, but Larry is much more than that; Larry is a valuable musical asset. Larry's incredible sense - knowing just 'what is needed and when' is phenomenal. Larry not only "creates colors in the right places" but he also transforms performances that would be "really good" into "unbelievably outstanding". Without any doubt, Larry's contribution to "From the Shore" makes this a great CD.    
 
I'll spare you my "track by track" and "note by note" comments for now - I don't want to delay your purchase of "From the Shore". Don't wait, buy it now! Purchasing this CD may well be one of the most important things you will ever do for yourself!
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world class. Your tasteful guitar playing is reminiscent of early Kenny Burrell (to my ears). I love how Rick engineered the session. Not over produced...nicely done. Ronny Glick just perfect amount of finesse, his dues come through on this recording. Brendan's sound and articulation brings another dimension to this, project.No greater love is flawless from beginning to end. Mo Fiddley...love that percussionist. Boy do you run the gamut!  I think if hard pressed "Another Chance" is my favorite cut. It took me to another place. Kudos my friend...brilliant.


Tony Corbiscello (Tony Corbiscello Big Band)
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