Long Time Coming, the debut solo album from guitarist
Jay Soto, takes aspects of a relatively wide array of training and puts them together for a somewhat varied fare. A turn in a Christian band or two gives
Soto some basic hymnal-type melodies, a turn in a Latin band gives him some simple flairs, and a round as a finalist in the Guitarmageddon competition has given him some practice in straightforward, virtuosic speed passages. Nearly the whole of the album is filled with
Soto-penned originals, though the classic "Black Orpheus" closes out the set. The performance is nice, with hints of the nylon-stringed masters. The jazz isn't exactly experimental, but instead follows a more contemporary track, almost to smooth jazz, but not quite breaking that fated designation fully. Worth a listen or two.