WORLD SINFONIA: THE GRANDE PASSION

When I saw that no one had offered a review of this record I was both stunned and delighted. Though the first two World Sinfonia sessions are brilliant, lovely works of World fusion, 'The Grande Passion' is something remarkable. The musicians Mr. Di Meola brings together are all top-notch, the compositions carry on the haunting beauty of the World Sinfonia vision, and the recording may be the best sounding piece of phonics I've ever spun on my machine. But what really makes this experience special is the fact that between the orchestra, Latin percussives and Di Meola's Flamenco-rock fire, a real infusion of music occurs at a level never before attained by the jazz rock world in which he is pigeonholed. This is the most passed over of Di Meola's Sinfonia projects but don't let that stop you from enjoying this unsung hero of an album.