Guitarist Colin Reid unleashes a stimulating, genre-bending extravaganza on Tilt. Solo guitar, guitar with strings, and guest vocalists mingle to create a rich, expansive tapestry. While the presence of strings on instrumentals like "Rocket" and "The Queen of Two Rooms" may spell new age to those who are unfamiliar with his work, Reid's layered approach places him closer to folk players like Bert Jansch. Indeed, solo pieces like "Music for a Found Harmonium" and "Liam" place him firmly within the English fingerstyle tradition. The variety of settings also shows an imaginative composer at work. Reid has written most of the material here, including the lovely "Rise" and "Deadalus' Lament." The latter of these carries a haunting melody set forth by a perfectly blended classical quartet and acoustic guitar. Two cuts include vocals. Eddi Reader sings a lovely version of "Never Going Back Again," offering a fresh take on a perhaps overplayed classic, while Boo Hewerdine lends his vocals to the delicate, gentle "Seed on the Wind." The album ends on the jazzy notes of "The Clay Pigeon Rag," leaving one to believe that Reid could have quite easily added even more genres into the mix. A stirring success, Tilt creates a distinct blend of folk instrumentals like nothing else available. ~ Ronnie D. Lankford, Jr.