NEWS   ARTIST: STIK SONG: IXTAPA GENRE: ROCK / INSTRUMENTAL BLISS SIMILAR: JOE SATRIANI

I think I've found heaven. No seriously, this is some of the best instrumental music I've heard in a long time, and I listen to a lot of this kind of stuff. It's got all the aspects that make a great instrumental, and Kevin "Stik" Paul uses all of them to his complete advantage.

First of all, the background rhythm guitars, bass, and percussion are all aptly played by musicians who know how to keep things tight. These instruments provide an awesome base for Stik to lay his amazing guitar part down on. And it is amazing, don't you dare think I'm full of it. I've heard probably hundreds of lame-ass guitarists who don't know anything about their instruments. They all think they're God's gift to music, and most of them wouldn't be God's gift to a Chicago dumpster. But Stik has all the skills he boasts and more.

This is some of the best guitar solo work I've heard in as long as I've scoured mp3.com, and that sure is no joke. If you love instrumental guitar that has groove, you'll love "Ixtapa". The song is layered with elements of blues, rock, funk, and pure down home groove, and these guys really know how to make the blend sound good. It is hard to find music that can take elements of a good blues track, and mix in slamming guitar solos and a grooving bassline without making the song sound like it is trying too hard to be in both worlds. As you listen to Stik's "Ixtapa", you won't care about genre blending, what you'll care about is that your head feels like it's going to explode from all the good things bouncing around inside.

This track is a must hear. If you ignore "Ixtapa", you're ignoring what I'd place among the best of the best. Don't take my word for it, let this song take over your brain for awhile! You'll never look at instrumental rock the same way again. Jonathon Sanders, Gods Of Music 2003