The “jazz odyssey” has long been a running punchline in rock n’ roll, one of many that originated from 1984’s This is Spinal Tap. Lord knows I’ve used it a time or ten as a reference on these very here virtual pages, as the Rob “Meathead” Reiner directed flick is one of my all time favorites. Now in my five years of running Defenders of the Faith, have I ever reviewed an album that would fall remotely in this “freeform” territory? Off the top of my head, no, but as the old saying goes, there’s a first time for everything!
The Gathering (not to be confused with the Testament classic of the same name) is the debut effort from Holka-Rondinelli. The “Rondinelli” in question is Bobby: No stranger to fans of old school hard rock and heavy metal, having held down the beat for Rainbow, Black Sabbath, Quiet Riot, Doro, and Blue Öyster Cult, just to name a few. The “Holka” is a fellow named Jamie: An under the radar guitarist who has floated around the New York scene as a hired gun, most recently serving in the latest incarnation of Captain Beyond. Together, the two have concocted a collection of songs that couple the unknowns of jazz with the power of rock, resulting in an album that sounds more out of 1975 than 2025.
At the forefront of the Holka-Rondinelli alliance is Holka, whose masterful, yet tasty playing sounds straight out of the glory days of guitar rock. The riffs, solos, and melodies that make up this here release evoke shades of Jeff Beck, Tommy Bolin, and Robin Trower, yet without ever sounding like a blatant ripoff of any of these masters. Rondinelli responds with steady, swinging drums, laying down one groove after the next. He maintains the chill pace of the affair, and only goes Buddy Rich-wild when absolutely necessary. For a man I’ve always associated with hard rock and metal, I’m going to have to revisit his back catalog and keep an ear out for the jazzy nuances in his playing.
While The Gathering boasts a diverse array of musical styles, at its core, it’s an old school jazz rock album. The opening “Fusion Confusion” lives up to its title, standing tall as a vibrant homage to classic Beck-esque jazz fusion. Smooth jazzers like “Confession Session” and “Just Like That” serve as laidback palette cleanses, while chunky groove-fests like the rocking title track and horn-drenched “Magnum Opus” give the album that extra oomph. As for choice cut, it’s a tossup between the dirty-riffed, Bolin worship of “Sidewinder” or the dreamy psych balladry of “Tasty Waves”: Both radically different songs that move yours truly for different reasons.
Those who dig their music on the straightforward side might find themselves disillusioned by this here musical gathering, but if you’re not afraid to dip your toes into the deep side of the rock n’ roll pool, Holka-Rondinelli have quite the album to immerse yourself in. It’s simultaneously a throwback to a bygone era, while sounding incredibly fresh and forceful. Even the array of special guests who appear throughout (i.e. Billy Sheehan, Kenny Aaronson, Don Airey, etc.) manage to keep the cohesion intact, which is more than can be said for similarly natured releases. Gather ’round and give this one a shot!
7 out of 10
Label: Segno Records
Genre: Jazz Rock
For fans of: Tommy Bolin, Jeff Beck, Robin Trower
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