For those unfamiliar: Karl Cochran is an accomplished guitarist best known as a sideman for such notables as Ace Frehley & Joe Lynn Turner. Voodooland is his star-fueled project, showcasing 15 smokin’ tracks of groove-laden, retro-friendly originals. Karl obviously wears his influences on his sleeve; pulling from the likes of Free and Grand Funk Railroad to deliver a gem of a CD. Picture a cross between Hughes Turner Project and Badlands (Check out the killer Jake E. Lee tone on “You And I”.)

Guest vocalists are spread throughout, without ever compromising the album’s cohesiveness. The ever-classy Joe Lynn Turner shows up for “Make Up Your Mind” and “Freedom,” the latter demo featuring a great outro workout by the lately-too-scarce Ace Frehley. But it’s John Corabi (The Scream, Union, Motley Crüe) who does most of the heavy lifting here. He handles half the album, his voice complementing the bluesy, soulful party (a highlight being “Don’t Say That You Love Me,” complete with a Hammond organ bedding for Karl’s tortured leads.) Wonderful stuff.

Guitar heroics reign throughout, but it is strong songwriting that really carries the show. Robert Mason (Lynch Mob) and Ron Young (Little Caesar) are among the contributors helping Karl craft this refreshing slice of powerful, exciting rock and roll. If you’re someone who misses the glory days of 70’s classic rock, when Deep Purple and Led Zeppelin ruled the day, you owe it to yourself to check this one out!