The latest album of guitarist Pat Martino may be regarded as a tribute to John Coltrane. On the album Think Tank Martino and his quintet explore, like ‘Trane’ did, all layers of the compositions and subsequently played like the gods themselves. The musician experienced what probably is the worst nightmare for all musicians: after brain surgery he lost his memory and didn’t know how to play his guitar anymore. Once his guitar had been a faithful companion in the bands of Jack McDuff and Don Patterson, now it was of no use to him. But he fought back, listened to his old albums and mastered the techniques he had forgotten for a second time. Martino, influenced by Wes Montgomery, re-discovered his playing as he went along. Now he, once again, creates furor with his virtuoso improvisations.
