PENUMBRAL SKY, my new CD is out and available at CD Baby..." heavy on groove and melody, backed by an outstanding group of musicians."--Bart Mendoza--Freelance Music Journalist
..."nine new Riker compositions, that are right on the money, with inspired jamming and driving grooves, along with beautiful tone sketches and contemplative ballads."--Paul Hormick--San Diego Troubadour
My first electric Cd,"Full Soul Ahead",nominated for best new jazz album ,in the 2010 SDMA(San Diego Music Awards), is out and available at: Off the Record, M-Theory, Tecolote Guitar Works, Classic Bows, Spin Records and Earth Song Books & Gifts, as well as on line at CD Baby
.........."adventurous riffs,including elements of country,blues,jazz and soul..........fluid guitar licks,slipping and sliding with emotional strength in a relaxed manner." --Jim Santella,Southland Blues Magazine, April, 2010
........."highly skilled, his phrasing and musical vocabulary serves the music, rather than the reverse.....a calm command of the neck, his electric debut is an eclectic delight." --Frank Kocher,The San Diego Troubadour, June, 2010
"Fretology", the second solo instrumental guitar album from guitarist Wayne Riker features a broad spectrum of original instrumental compositions, highlighted by musical elements of blues, jazz, folk,funk,reggae and classical styles.
"Fretology is a wonderful CD by a musician on a journey.Wayne Riker can play the hell out of electric blues on a Strat,or deep bebop on a hollow body,but he wasn't content to settling into a niche.The disc exemplifies his compositional prowess,with a definite freedom of technical execution.For many,open tunings are a dead end.For Wayne,they're an open door. Fretology is a joyful snapshot of his journey."
Andy Volk,Music author(Volk Media Design),December,2008
"Throughout,Riker makes this disc a departure from many other acoustic guitar discs,particularly avoiding an unadventurous,sonic wallpaper sound by keeping his notes flowing evenly,without a missed note or fret buzz anywhere on the album."
"Fretology" displays Riker's ability to compose and play complex styles,ranging from bluegrass,funk,and jazz to bluesy and genre bending improvisational tunes.
"Fretology" is a great listen,easy on the ears,and presented with the mastery of an accomplished teacher."
Frank Kocher (San Diego Troubadour,March,2009)
"Whole battalions of musical notes ringing out,leaving the listener wondering what they just heard,but ready to go back and hear them again and again. Fretology is a welcome signpost of Riker's skills;there's something about it that forces one to pay attention and listen all the way through.Perhaps all music should be like this.Fortunately,Wayne Riker's Fretology is.