Whirlwind

Andy Fite's set of solo guitar explorations mostly features his own compositions other than an adaptation of a Bach melody, "I'll Remember April," and "I'll Walk Alone." Fite emphasizes chordal improvisation along with occasional single-note lines, and although usually playing at a quiet volume, there is a lot of intensity in his ideas. Fite is tied to but not tied down by bebop and much of his playing is unpredictable. He also has a talent at naming songs, including such titles as "Love Casts Its Spell," "The Bright Human Future," "When I First Heard Bird," "In the Days Before the Cataclysm," "I Look in the Mirror and I See a Man," and "The Life Companion Shares a Secret." Although his playing is a bit jarring at times, this set grows with interest in each listen and helps introduce a potentially major talent.