"ZOOMA"

In the almost twenty years since Led Zeppelin's demise, fans have been waiting breathlessly for John Paul Jones to release a solo album. Meanwhile, he's been bouncing from one project to another using his best talent to work with some of the other best talent in the business. But his best has not been completely tapped, for he brings it out on Zooma, proving he definitely is one of the most under-appreciated master musicians in the music world today. JPJ lays down some incredible rocking music that will have stereo speakers blowing out in no time. Although he receives a little help from Elvis Costello's old drummer, Pete Thomas, and has some additional musical cameos (the Butthole Surfers' Paul Leary being one), Jones is the brains behind the all- instrumental CD, doing the songwriting, arranging, production, and playing most of the instruments (including something called a Kyma). The title cut eases the listener in gradually before making full-out assault on the senses, while "Bass 'n' Drums" is a funky little minimalistic piece. Both "Snake Eyes" and "Nosumi Blues" displays Jones blues sensibilities, and "B. Fingers" is a guitar shredders' dream that would give JPJ's ex-band mate, Jimmy Page, a run for his money (and those are big words coming from a Page fan like me). Page and Robert Plant have been hogging the spotlight in recent years, so it's time for them to make room and give John Paul Jones some long over-due and much-deserved attention.

- Cheryl LeBeau