(Heads Up/Concord Records)

Guitarist Eric Johnson’s bluesy rock sound and guitarist Mike Stern’s jazz fusion voice meet in their first ever recording together to spectacular ends. Eclectic is the product of their experience touring together and the result is a fantastic. In addition to a great selection of tunes from each of these 6-string masters, the performances have a very live feel to them with all the musicians recording together which gives the effort an edge you don’t get with overdubs. There’s no competition here to play the loudest or the slickest, just each contributing what they do to make something great. The duo is backed by the rhythm section of drummer Anton Fig and Johnson’s bassist Chris Maresh. There are also guest contributions from Leni Stern on vocals and the n’goni (an African stringed instrument), Guy Forsyth on blues harp, as well as Austin soul singer Malford Milligan and Christopher Cross (of “Sailing” fame) on background vocals for one tune. Still, this is a guitar players’ album and one well worth checking out.