Record Reviews

AL DI MEOLA ~ SPLENDIDO HOTEL / ELECTRIC RENDEZVOUS BGO 0927 (Barcode: 5017261209276) ~ USA ~ Jazz-World Fusion Recorded: 1980 - 1982 Released: 2010 This is a reissue / remaster of the 4th and 5th studio albums by American guitarist / composer Al Di MeolaFind albums by this artist: “Splendido HotelFind albums with this title” from 1980 and “Electric RendezvousFind albums with this title” from 1982, released on ColumbiaFind albums on this label Records. He is supported by his regular band at the time with keyboardist Philippe SaisseFind albums by this artist, bassist Tim LandersFind albums by this artist, drummer Robbie GonzalesFind albums by this artist and percussionist Eddie ColonFind albums by this artist. Many guest artists appear on these albums, including pianist Chick CoreaFind albums by this artist, keyboardist Jan HammerFind albums by this artist, bassist Anthony JacksonFind albums by this artist, drummer Steve GaddFind albums by this artist, guitarist Paco De LuciaFind albums by this artist, percussionist Mingo LewisFind albums by this artist and others. “Splendido Hotel”, originally a 2LP album, presents eleven tracks, seven composed by De Meola, one co-composed with Saisse, one by Saisse, one by Corea and one a pop standard. “Electric Rendezvous” presents eight tracks, five composed by Di Meola, and one each by Saisse, Hammer and Lewis. The music is the usual splendid mixture of superb melodies, Jazz licks, Fusion Groove and Spanish / Latin / Mediterranean / Flamenco Folkloristic accents, which was De Meola’s home turf. There is plenty of brilliant guitar playing by Di Meola and excellent parts by the guest artists, and although these two albums are not surprising or innovative as far as Di Meola’s output in the first decade of his career is concerned, they withstand the test of time splendidly and still sound great today. Overall, this is a marvelous reminder of the early days of Di Meola’s recording career, full of virtuosity, superb compositions and passionate performances by him and his cohorts, which were the leading American Fusion musicians at the time. They are a must in any serious Jazz-Rock Fusion / Jazz-World Fusion record collection.

Updated: 28/02/2024Posted: 28/02/2024

CD 2 Slipcase Remastered Recommend To A Friend

RETURN TO FOREVER ~ JAZZ WORKSHOP JAZZANOVA 7004 (Barcode: 805772700420) ~ USA ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion Recorded: 1973 Released: 2019 This is an archival live album by the American Fusion group Return To ForeverFind albums by this artist, led by pianist / composer Chick CoreaFind albums by this artist and including guitarist Bill ConnorsFind albums by this artist, bassist Stanley ClarkeFind albums by this artist, drummer Steve GaddFind albums by this artist and percussionist Mingo LewisFind albums by this artist. The music was recorded at Boston, MA on May 15, 1973 shortly before RTF released their 3rd album “Hymn Of The Seventh GalaxyFind albums with this title”. The album presents just 3 tracks, one stretching for over half an hour in duration, all three being original compositions by Corea. The sound quality of the recording is rough and unbalanced, as it was certainly not intended for release, but forty-six years later all this is completely meaningless in comparison to the musical content. This is Chick Corea at the electric piano, playing his heart out for almost an hour, which is always worth coming back to, especially since he is no longer with us. And the rest of the crew is also quite stupendous, especially Clarke playing acoustic bass, Gadd keeping everything in an iron-clad rhythmic order and young wunderkind Connors playing tasty licks. Overall, despite its somewhat rough, almost bootleg quality, this album offers some brilliant music, which is definitely worth being heard and still sounds more creative than most of what is happening in Fusion today.

Updated: 03/04/2026Posted: 02/04/2026

CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend