"All the right adjectives

apply to the debut solo CD from Chicago guitarist Ray Sapko. Sapko was the guitarist in the hard rock group Tantrum, a band that toured with legends like Kansas, Rick Derringer, Ian Hunter and more. Following his years on the rock circuit, Sapko earned his BA in guitar and he puts his vast knowledge of the electric guitar to work big time on "The Way Beyond Blue". An excellent example of the guitar in an all instrumental hard rock setting, the ten track CD avoids most of the pitfalls in recording an all instrumental rock album and then some. Hard rockers and jazz-rock fans alike will get a positive buzz off Sapko's electrifying guitar based instrumental rock."

Robert Silverstein
20th Century Guitar Magazine, August 2007

"Chicago guitar slinger Ray Sapko

dates from the old-school Chi-town rock scene and was a founding member of Tantrum, which performed from 1978 to 1981. He has continued to perform and write since then and now checks in with his solo CD, The Way Beyond Blue. The disc is a 10-song instrumental outing that showcases Sapko’s considerable skills as a player and composer. Sapko is a rock melodist in the Satriani/Santana vein, and fans of those players will like many of the tracks here, including “Sky King” and “Cirrus”.”

Mike O’Cull
Illinois Entertainer Magazine, June 2007

"Wow – excellent guitar work!"

"After checking out "The Way Beyond Blue" there is one comment that comes to mind - Wow - Ray can play guitar! Ray's hands fly up and down the fretboard on this CD. The songwriting is also solid and the rest of the band is tight. The flying guitar work on "Cirrus" is just one of the tracks that will blow you away. "Reiko's Waltz" provides a melodic dual-lead line, and brings out a more emotional style to Ray's guitar work. "85 Miles Gone" shows Ray's versatility, as he plays this beautiful acoustic song. If you enjoy guitar virtuosos such as Joe Satriani, you'll enjoy this CD. Pick up a copy today!"

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