A Life-Affirming, Joyous Explosion of Melody, Virtuosity and Heart
Few guitarists inspire the kind of affection, respect and devotion that Steve Morse does. Across decades with Dixie Dregs, Kansas, Flying Colors, the Steve Morse Band, and of course his historic tenure as Deep Purple’s longest-serving guitarist, Morse has carved out a unique place in the guitar world—a musician of breathtaking technique matched equally by emotional depth, warmth, and unmistakable melodic identity.
With Triangulation, Morse returns with what may be one of the finest solo albums of his entire career.
Released on limited edition orange vinyl, Triangulation features a powerhouse trio of musicians working in complete intuitive harmony:
Musician Credits
Steve Morse – Guitars
Dave LaRue – Bass (longtime collaborator, Dixie Dregs/Flying Colors)
Van Romaine – Drums
Special Guests:
Eric Johnson – Guitar on “Texas TX”
John Petrucci (Dream Theater) – Guitar on “Triangulation”
Kevin Morse – Guitar on “Taken by an Angel”
What unfolds across these ten tracks is nothing short of joyous, moving, life-affirming instrumental music—full of light and shade, emotional nuance, and the kind of interplay only musicians who deeply understand each other can create.
Track-by-Track Reflections
Breakthrough
The album bursts open with a riff that echoes Morse’s Deep Purple era—classic, tight, punchy, full of energy. Very quickly the piece navigates into jazz-fusion territory, with Morse and LaRue weaving melodic lines in unison. The mid-section softens beautifully before rising again in waves of rhythmic complexity and melodicism. A masterclass in dynamics.
Off the Cuff
Warm, uplifting and full of personality—this is the sound of friends playing without restriction. When instrumental music speaks this clearly without words, you know you’re listening to something special. Morse’s phrasing is heartfelt, expressive, and unmistakably him.
TexUS (feat. Eric Johnson)
Two masters in joyful conversation. This mid-paced rock instrumental radiates positivity. Johnson and Morse trade ideas with an almost vocal quality—each note chosen for feel, not flash.
The Unexpected
A reflective build that gradually expands into spacious chords, powerful runs, and one of the album’s standout bass solos by Dave LaRue. The interplay is sublime—emotion and technique intertwined seamlessly.
March of the Nomads
Dreamlike, almost southern-rock tonalities glide across rich bass textures and floating chords. Expertly produced, with every nuance captured. The closing section hints at Morse’s earlier AOR colours from Purple’s Perpendicular era.
Icebreaker
A funky, Marcus Miller-style bass groove pulls you into a rhythm that almost makes you want to dance. Morse paints around it with gorgeous guitar lines. Completely unpredictable and utterly engaging.
Tumeni Partz
At 11 minutes, this is a tour de force of jazz-rock fusion. Lightning-fast unison runs, shifting time signatures, reflective passages, glass-like textures, Latin-flavoured lines—it’s a dazzling ride. Yet it never loses melody. Think Return to Forever, Mahavishnu, or 70s fusion at its most adventurous, but fused with Morse’s unmistakable DNA.
Triangulation (feat. John Petrucci)
The album’s heaviest moment—a mid-tempo metal-fusion piece with thick riffs, syncopated grooves, and fantastic guitar dialogue between Morse and Petrucci. Accessible yet musically rich.
Taken by an Angel (feat. Kevin Morse)
Just over two minutes long, but emotionally enormous. Inspired by the passing of Steve’s beloved wife Janine, this piece is tender, hopeful and full of love. You can hear every ounce of feeling in both Steve’s and Kevin’s playing. It feels like a gentle musical embrace—exactly the right way to close the album.
Triangulation is a triumph.
A celebration of friendship, resilience, creativity, and the sheer joy of making music.
Given the personal challenges Steve Morse has endured in recent years, this album radiates positivity and life. It’s a reminder that great instrumental music can be deeply moving and accessible, even to listeners who don’t typically gravitate toward fusion or guitar-led albums.
It’s also one of the most replayable records Steve Morse has ever released. Anyone in the house—whether into prog, metal, fusion, blues, or none of the above—will find something to love here.
A beautiful, uplifting, expertly crafted record.
Steve Morse Band – Triangulation is out now. Highly recommended.
Phil Aston | Now Spinning Magazine
