Record Reviews

AL DI MEOLA ~ TWENTYFOUR EAR MUSIC 4029759197126 (Barcode: 4029759197126) ~ USA ~ Jazz-World Fusion Recorded: 2020 - 2024 Released: 2024 This is an album by American guitar hero Al Di MeolaFind albums by this artist, his first studio release in four years, recorded in several studios around the world and with many different musicians participating on selected tracks. The recording details are not specified on the album’s artwork, but Di Meola states that the music was developed during the last four years, starting during the “dark period” of the Pandemic and slowly taking the shape presented here. Di Meola played many different instruments on this album: guitars, bass, keyboards and percussion, as well as wrote the orchestral arrangements. Some of the musicians participating on the album include keyboardist Derek WielandFind albums by this artist, guitarist Hernan RomeroFind albums by this artist, percussionist Gumbi OrtizFind albums by this artist, tabla player Amit KavthekarFind albums by this artist and others. The 2CD album presents fifteen tracks, all composed and arranged by Di Meola. The album offers stunning recording sound and aural quality. Stylistically Di Meola continues his magnificent journey through the infinite varieties of World Music, spiced with Jazzy improvisational accents, this time also enhanced by orchestral arrangements, which touch upon Flamenco, Latin, Gypsy, Indian, Middle Eastern and other musical traditions. In many respects this album sums up Di Meola’s musical path during the last four decades, since he switched from Jazz-Rock Fusion towards World Music inspirations. As an avid follower of his work, I’d say that this album is his Magnum Opus, considering the wealth of musical ideas and the artistic and aesthetic consistency of its contents. It is a true Masterpiece, embracing music without boundaries and respecting the diversity and magic that World Music is able to bestow upon the listener. Overall, this is a triumphant return by one of the most creative and honest musical personalities, which offers an abundance of beautiful Jazz-World Fusion vistas, which take the listener literally on an “around the world” musical journey, presented elegantly and played magnificently. There is not a dull moment on this album from start to finish, and once the music is over, one simply compelled to repeat the experience again! Beyond recommendation!

Updated: 13/08/2024Posted: 13/08/2024

CD 2 Digipak Recommend To A Friend

AL DI MEOLA ~ WINTER NIGHTS TELARC 83458 (Barcode: 089408345821) ~ UK ~ Jazz-World Fusion Recorded: 1999 Released: 1999 This is an album by American guitar hero Al Di MeolaFind albums by this artist, recorded with Ukrainian bandura player Roman HrynkivFind albums by this artist and Di Meola’s faithful companion Hernan RomeroFind albums by this artist on percussion. The album presents fifteen tracks, most composed by Di Meola, some co-composed with Hrynkiv, some by other composers and finally some traditional Christmas songs. Although usually considered as Di Meola’s “Christmas album”, it has in fact little to do with Christmas songs as such, other than the atmosphere of the music and inclusion of a few Xmas favorites. The music is beautifully melodic and quiet, but stylistically it is soaked with ethnic influences and offers another of Di Meola’s Jazz-World Fusion explorations, only slightly Xmas oriented. The guitar parts are less “busy” than usual and the bandura (Ukrainian plucked-string folk instrument) offers a nice harmony with the acoustic guitar. Overall, this is a splendid opportunity to enjoy De Meola’s relaxed, acoustic guitar performances, splendidly, although minimally accompanied by his cohorts, and full of virtuosic guitar parts, as expected. Perhaps less known than his other albums, this is a pleasant encounter with his unusual talent, more intimate and immediate than usual, and as such most welcome.

Updated: 06/09/2024Posted: 06/09/2024

CD 1 Oversampling Recommend To A Friend