With Frolic, LA-based guitarist Steve Gregory offers a tender and deeply expressive debut, an all-instrumental album that gently guides listeners through a landscape of memory, feeling, and groove. Though this is Gregory’s first release as a solo artist, his decades of experience playing alongside legends like Ray Charles, Frankie Valli, and Gordon Goodwin’s Big Phat Band are present in every measured note and soulful bend.
Rooted in jazz but branching into blues, funk, and earthy rock, Frolic is a warm, reflective album: never rushed, always heartfelt. It’s not just a collection of tracks but a mood, a state of being. Gregory’s guitar playing feels lived-in and honest, with phrasing that evokes emotion rather than flash.
The opening track, “Hey, Marvin,” sets the tone with an irresistibly catchy guitar lick and lush string lines, wrapping listeners in a dreamy, laid-back vibe. “New Inspiration” follows with a hushed calm, it’s the quiet clarity of a creative idea arriving in the stillness of night. Meanwhile, “August 2” brings tension and introspection, with questioning guitar phrases layered over steady, urgent drums, unfolding like a thoughtful internal dialogue.
The title track, “Frolic,” brings a breath of fresh air, light and refreshing like a breeze across an open field. “Tell Me What You Feel” is playful and flirty, a musical dance between guitar and keyboard that pulses with curiosity and charm.
Gregory shines most in the emotional weight of his slower tracks. “December 18” feels drenched in nostalgia, with a powerful guitar solo that aches like a memory you can’t quite let go of. “The Moment” is warm, pensive, and full of longing, perhaps for a person, a place, or a feeling. There’s a quiet gratitude in its sadness, a beauty in its restraint.
“After School” lightens the mood with a jazzy bounce that recalls the carefree freedom of youth, while “Holding You” is short and tender, like a deep, meaningful hug rendered in melody. “Smooth It Out” contrasts airy long tones with brisk rhythms, creating a sensation of gliding gently through life’s chaos.
As the album winds down, “Thread of Hope” offers subtle encouragement, like a quiet hand on your shoulder, and “Winter in California” closes with soft, moonlit intimacy, a chill guitar reverie that feels like a whispered late-night conversation with the stars.
Backed by an all-star ensemble, Jeff Babko (keys), Eric Sittner (bass), and Ray Brinker (drums), Gregory’s vision is supported with sensitivity and groove. The chemistry among the players never distracts; it uplifts.
Frolic is a rare kind of debut: both grounded and mature, full of emotion but never overwrought. It’s the sound of an artist who knows exactly who he is and what he wants to say, offering listeners not just music, but deep, rooted moments.
This album is indeed for fans of Larry Carlton, George Benson, John Scofield, and anyone who appreciates instrumental music that speaks straight to the soul!