Scotland-based guitarist John Irvine is highly regarded in the realm of instrumental progressive and jazz-rock fusion instrumental music and he continues his forward movement with his 2022 CD Psychopomp. With an album that perhaps alludes to the mix of progressive jazz fusion and psychedelic rock that we all know and love, John’s new album clocks in at just over 48 minutes and features 8 dazzling instrumental fusion that highlights his incredible electric guitar and keyboard skills. Featuring John recording together with drummer Calum McIntyre, Psychopomp takes jazz-rock fusion to higher ground.

Although he worked with drummer Rich Kass on his 2021 album, The Machinery Of The Heavens, as Psychopomp emphasizes, John’s musical chemistry with drummer Calum McIntyre is equally sublime and intense. Guitar fans missing the late great fusion guitarist Alan Holdsworth will dig Psychopomp and in addition to Holdsworth, John cites YES, Weather Report and Canterbury prog-rock legends Caravan as big influences. Even though his music is completely instrumental in nature, the progressive electric guitar sound on Psychopomp goes right to the heart of the fusion soundstage. Tastefully packaged with phantastic studio sound, Psychopomp is perhaps the finest album yet from guitarist John Irvine.