Black Sheep

Renowed jazz critic Scott Yanow writes, "Shawn Needham is a fiery and versatile guitarist whose playing ranges from advanced jazz to fusion and rock. On his first major record, Black Sheep, Needham teams up with the passionate tenor-saxophonist Eric Crystal, Pianist-organist Michael Aaberg, bassist Jon Evans and drummer Alan Hall for six of his colorful originals and Wayne Krantz's "Whippersnapper". Whether it is the fiery fusion piece "Funkasaurus", jamming on the medium up-tempo blues "Camille's Tune" or rocking out on the title track, the guitarist plays with strong creativity and the music sounds quite original, fresh and full of spirit. There are many great jazz/rock guitarists on the scene these days. Shawn Needham has the potential to take his place next to the major stylists." Needham has mastered the delivery of lush, lyrical and melodic lines while throwing in harmonic surprises to keep the listener engaged, which should give fans reason enough to check out Black Sheep.