AL DI MEOLA PROJECT: TIRAMI SU

I have to admit that I hadn't listened to this one in quite a while (not having a working turntable for years is the primary reason), but this album is better than I remember it being. Obviously, I have the LP version, which only includes the first eight tracks that apparently are on the CD.

Beijing Demons starts the album well. Although it is too light to really qualify as demonic, it is actually very complex, and Di Meola was wise to open the album with this winner. Arabella begins as a typical Spanish-based piece, but by the end becomes an electric fusion extravaganza. Smile From A Stranger is a slow romantic piece, not really my style, and Rhapsody Of Fire finishes off the side with some fine acoustic Spanish guitar (however it does have that awful synthesized harmonica synth sound that permeated commercial fusion in those days).

Song To The Pharoah Kings starts off the second side with the first full electric fusion song on the album. While not as exciting as the better Return To Forever songs, it's still good. Andonea, a Spanish sounding guitar and vocal piece is nice background music for dinner parties. And Maraba is purely Spanish, but not bad. Song With A View begins as another Spanish sounding piece, but builds to a great, and surprisingly subtle guitar solo by the end.

So there is some great music, but mostly nice, but low-key Spanish light fusion.

I'd give it three stars.

I only have this album in cassette format and I only had a chance to play this after I finally got a wonderful cassette deck player made in Norway: Tandberg TCD-440A (produced in 1978) - yeah! It's a vintage player and I really love the sound quality; it's natural and it has a powerful basslines. No wonder I find true joy playing the cassette of this album which opens beautifully with Beijing Demons (6:25). Even though it's not in similar vein with legendary album 'Land of Midnight Sun' or 'Elegant Gypsy' or 'Splendido Hotel' I really enjoy the music. It flows nicely in ambient mode demonstrating Al's stunning guitar work. The second track Arabella (7:14) is also another good track with vocal and latin music style. Well, actually I do not expect Al plays this style of music and initially I did not quite favor this kind of music. But when I really forget how Al's music started at the beginning in the 70s, I then realized that the music is very good and enjoyable. I can find the stunning guitar that flows beautifully throughout some tracks featured here.

I can say that Smile from a Stranger (5:43) has its roots with legendary style of Al Di Meola especially when it reaches the collaborative work of guitar and keyboard. Rhapsody of Fire (5:05) continues with another music style.

Overall, I consider this as a very good album and I recommend those of you who love jazz-rock fusion kind of music would enjoy this album. Keep on proggin' ..!

Peace on earth and mercy mild - GW