ELEGANT GYPSY

Master Al di Meola takes listeners on a passionate and thrilling journey with humid, scorching days and cool, passionate nights. While the guitar is the most outstanding instrument, there is plenty of space on the dance floor for intelligent bass grooves, dynamic percussion, and keyboard wizardry.

"Flight Over Rio" Several keyboards and a funky bass bang out the opening groove. With a searing tone, di Meola offers blistering solos interspersed with light, dazzling keyboard runs.

"Midnight Tango" Hushed keyboards and cymbals begin this sultry yet cool Latin-infused piece. The guitarist lets off his distortion to provide a sweet clean tone. Despite gracing through a variety of passages, the music maintains a unified sound and some pleasant, compelling themes. The percussion tacked on to the end has nothing to do with the piece proper- I shrug my shoulders and await the next tune.

"Mediterranean Sundance" In acoustic flamenco splendor, di Meola shares the spotlight with Paco de Lucia.

"Race with Devil on Spanish Highway" This is one of di Meola's sizzling masterpieces, where he demonstrates his amazing skill as a guitarist over a diabolical bass and percussion that holds down bizarre time signatures and shifts. The lightning guitar licks jump in and out. Eventually a peaceful rhythm takes shape, featuring a noteworthy bass line and fantastic lead work. The next segment has a dark riff occasionally answered by rapid guitar runs. The fourth passage is smooth and slick, a variation on the theme from before. Finally, expect brisk and technically challenging runs before the remarkable conclusion.

"Lady of Rome, Sister of Brazil" This is a delicate and transitory piece with relaxing acoustic guitars- beautiful.

"Elegant Gypsy Suite" The final and lengthiest track is a more cheerful one, even incorporating some ever-so-slight Caribbean flavors. The middle section features some fabulous keyboard moments over a moody background that has a similar bass riff to the middle theme in "Race with Devil on Spanish Highway." The chilling acoustic guitar thickens the background music, making it even more intriguing.