Gene Segal is one of the new generation of New York guitarists, and has played with the likes of Randy Brecker, Steve LaSpina and Gene Bertoncini. Mental Images is Segal's second album, and was inspired by the composer Olivier Messiaen and his compositional techniques. “I'm fascinated by how note limitation can actually lead to an expansion of ideas,” says Segal. The album begins with ‘Healing Feeling’, a sizzling jazz-funk track that reminds one of the Mike Stern/Bob Berg band. The rhythm section of bassist Sean Conly and drummer Jaimeo Brown drive the tune along, and the track is dominated by Jon Irabagon's forceful sax, with Segal happy to comp behind him for most of the time, save a short, incisive solo. At the coda, Sam Sadigursky joins in on second sax, with the two saxes doubling up just before the track ends. However, don't let the opening number fool you; this is no jazz-funk album. The rest of the music is slower, more exploratory and equally satisfying. What's more, this is a collective effort – Segal's playing is often supportive, although he occasionally comes to the fore. ‘Minds Eye’, begins with Sadigursky playing a brooding motif on bass clarinet that is doubled up on bass. ‘The Ringmaster’ is a swinging number, while the final track, ‘Elephants’ is the heaviest on the album, with distorted guitar and blaring sax lines. If you want an album full of flash guitar solos, look elsewhere, but if you want music that is fresh, spacious and harmonically intriguing, then Mental Images has much to offer. I think we're going to be hearing a lot more of Gene Segal.