Record Reviews

AL DI MEOLA ~ ACROSS THE UNIVERSE EAR MUSIC 4029759140313 (Barcode: 4029759140313) ~ USA ~ Jazz-Pop Fusion Recorded: 2019 Released: 2020 This is an album by American guitar hero Al Di MeolaFind albums by this artist, his second release paying tribute to the music by The BeatlesFind albums by this artist, following the “All Your LifeFind albums with this title” album from 2013. Di Meola plays several guitars, bass, drums and percussion, which makes this almost a solo album, but there are also some strings and brass arrangements and the Indian tabla player Amit KavthekarFind albums by this artist, Italian accordionist Fausto BeccalossiFind albums by this artist and American trumpeter Randy BreckerFind albums by this artist play on selected tracks. The album presents fourteen tracks, all familiar songs composed by The Beatles. The music takes the Pop songs into the Jazz-World Fusion world, which is the turf where Di Meola feels most comfortable, and the virtuosic guitar improvisations and dense arrangements transform the songs into new environment, but leave enough of the original melodies so the listener is able to recognize them without much effort. Personally this album is a bit too busy for me, i.e. too many things are happening all at once, and since The Beatles music has been utterly explored almost to death, the entire enterprise leaves me somewhat cold, but I do appreciate the musicianship and talent involved. Overall, this is a nice display of Di Meola’s abilities, but somewhat hectic and populist as far as I am concerned. But guitar aficionados and Beatles deadheads will love this to bits.

Updated: 02/09/2024Posted: 02/09/2024

CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend

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

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