Marc Pattison is one of the few Guitarists with the ability of displaying his unique ability with a guitar, while adhering to a driving tempo. He is in my way of thinking a true aficionado and arguably the best with a guitar in his field.

Flawless guitar work. Doesn't try to sound like anyone else and he doesn't. I have all five of his cd's and it although some of the funk can sound repetitive, his tone keeps it fresh. He should be a household name for anyone who digs instrumental guitar. Awesome.

Seriously, for me now-a-days if I want a new killer shred album I'll go and listen to Marc's latest. Big difference between the two? Marc has great arrangements. That's sooo important. He's also cutting edge. Joe tried to update but just failed IMO. So yeah get Surfing with the Alien and Flying in a Blue Dream, they are classics. But then get this album. It's my fav of the Pattison CDs I own. I blind reviewed Dancing Spaniard on Garageband.com and it blew me away. The breakdown in the middle of it is just killer! Only critisicm of Marc is he has a little too much pentatonic cheese at times. But the good out weighs the bad here definitely. Rock on Marc!!!

What does aforementioned title mean? It is nothing, but a powerful circular current of water! Sorry for my scientifical attitude towards the music, but it's not a secret that I have been always interested in etymology, haha. To make the review possibly shortest, I dare to write that "Vortex" is the next extension or Marc's digital visions in the guitar form thoroughly prepared to receive. Electronica, as a musical backcloth, is a fixed element of his output and, probably, it will never be left off by him. "Vortex" is almost equally twisted and offbeat as its predecessors, although Mr. Pattison has placed a greater emphasis on producing particular mood and creating rock riffs. Marc's guitar shows were put aside to the background making the music more subdued and "polite". The characteristic feature of this stuff is striking a balance between the guitar parts and electronica and keeping lightly marked melodic line in every composition. Mr. Pattison administers a hefty body of ideas. It's really important, since, even though he is a guitar virtuoso, his music is listener-friendly. This is the next time when we can encounter Phil Bennett of Starship. This musician played keyboard parts on "Dancing Spaniard" and "The Revenge Of Chief" provided that he is able both to perform shredding storm and delicate and subtle tones as well. My suggestion is very straightforward, Marc! I wanna hear this sidekick on all the tracks recorded for your future solo discs! If not, I will go for a ride and invade your state, haha! Really, I do enjoy Phil's precious contribution to your musicwork. Here is also another pal who plays guitar solos next to Marc on the likes of "Groove Mechanic" and "Velociraptor", and his name is Chris Brungardt - the owner of famous Chops From Hell website. Summing up the review, I state that "Vortex" is most massive album in Pattison's solo discography. Thanks to the electronica, this stuff is modern and lavish in a sense. His greatest success is the fact that his playing can be easily identifiable amid other guitarists. Some grumblers can claim that its greatest indulgence is Marc's attachment to his worked-out style, but it's rubbish. Let's think of The Rolling Stones and Iron Maiden. I'd like to ask these squawkers if aforesaid bands' music has been considerably changed since their beginnings? No, their music has been always based on the same foundations for the years, and only bit instrumental and technological improvements made their sound better produced and vivid. These details didn't interfere the fans with loving their works further. You can even feel about the album's title and check that Marc's music is a real maelstrom, whirlpool, convolution, swirl, whirl and... I am lost for words, haha. One thing is obvious to me, American has his own style and it is a kind of pride. Frankly writing, the music on "Vortex" is still valid! If you asked me whether Marc's music is groundbreaking and his position is stable, I would diplomatically answered you... time will tell, haha!