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"It is a terrific listening experience"- Fred Jung (All About Jazz / Down Beat Critics Poll)

Wanted is yet another wonderful album from guitarist Wolfgang Schalk. The material, ranging from slow impressionistic ballads to straight-ahead to fusion, is a bit more diverse than some of his past efforts. Of particular interest is his beautiful acoustic playing. On "A New Something" Schalk makes his acoustic speak. Each ringing note drips with feeling. His spatial introduction leads to a cleverly assembled heartfelt melody. It is instantly memorable. Pianist Keezer gently doubles-up with Schalk, who effortlessly slides into a quicker tempo quasi-Gypsy swing in the tune's midsection. He is followed by Keezer's own, equally effective turn. While drummer Smith adds percussive emphasis, bassist Dave Carpenter serves as the tune's linchpin. He also offers a genuinely creative solo in an interesting counterpoint to Schalk's restatement of the tune's introduction. This is very moving music played with a purpose, and further bolsters Schalk's well-deserved acclaim as guitarist and composer.
Sadly, this was one of Dave Carpenter's last recorded performances. His untimely passing would take place the following summer. Schalk dedicates the album to him. —Jazz.com, by Walter Kolosky (RATING: 91/100)

“Dave Carpenter -- eternity date June 24 2008”
Dave was one of the greatest acoustic and electric bass players on the planet and the nicest human being you can imagine. His warmth and spirit are memorable and his passing away is a tremendous and extremely sad loss but a huge enrichment for the other side. Quoting maestro Joe Zawinul, “whenever it’s going to happen it will be the birthday of my new life.” In a deep state of shock and sadness, I miss you buddy.--W.S.

"...His soft tone recalls Wes Montgomery, but his lines are full of surprises and, of course, the tempos are awfully bright." —Los Angeles City Beat (Kirk Silsbee)

"Wolfgang Schalk proves to be an explosively inventive guitarist and a gifted, challenging composer. Backed by an alert, vibrant rhythm section, he digs deep into eight original compositions, improvising with considerable intelligence, passion, and swing... Yet, as good as these guitar solos are (and they are very, very good), the compositions themselves are what first catch the ear. Schalk creates impressive structures for improvisation, and he fits each and every structure with a hip, catchy melody. If other musicians pick up on these tunes, every single one of them has the potential to become a jazz standard...Highly recommended."—All About Jazz

"Wolfgang Schalk spotlighted compositions that were both arousing and engaging... As a player, Schalk was palatable and creative, while strongly influenced by Pat Martino's blistering and expressive methods, ...Schalk's playing wasthe main focus and he placed away, ..."—LA Jazz Scene (Chris Walker)

Times rating: CRITIC'S CHOICE Quartet Austrian guitarist Schalk lists a pair of Pats - Martino and Metheny - as influences. And both of those disparate styles surface from time to time in his intriguing work. But Schalk's own orientation, which reaches from warm- toned melodic playing to free-style adventuring, are equally present. —Los Angeles Times (Don Heckman)

"If you can’t see Pat Metheny (with the exquisite Brad Mehldau) at Walt Disney Concert Hall on Friday, check out Austrian guitarist Wolfgang Schalk... His excellent Space Messengers combines great chops and some very sophisticated writing."—LA Weekly (Brick Wahl)

"...reminiscent of Pat Metheny’s hippest record session." —KJazz

"Space Messengers is not Wolfgang Schalk's attempt to explore free-song structures, but his quartet often approaches time in a manner that implies pulse instead of hammering a solid tempo. The guitarist plays with warm, languid tone, but peels off quick licks that avoid predictability... the rhythm has gone through elastic transitions--speeding up and slowing down while the melody remains in one tempo--that recall the flexibility of the 1960s Miles Davis Quintet." - Jazz Times

"With his soulful playing, Schalk is easily one of Europe's best guitarists." - Die Presse (sam)