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Al Di Meola, Pursuit of Radical Rhapsody
Al Di Meola’s latest release ‘Pursuit of Radical Rhapsody‘ (Telarc), reaches #2 on Billboard’s Jazz Charts this week and is a fitting addition to the extensive body of work he has produced over the course of his prolific career. An experiment in international fusion, the album shows the dexterous Di Meola maneuvering his way through an old world-new world synthesis of electrified earth music.
Joined by the immensely gifted World Sinfonia and a number of acclaimed special guests (including the legendary Cuban pianist Gonzalo Rubalcaba and bassist Charlie Haden), Di Meola has created a progressive, textured collection of ambitious guitar rock with an indigenous latin flair. His thrilling acoustic solos are grounded in organic rhythms on the tango-inspired “Fireflies”, while touches of distortion and synth layers add tremendous depth on the aptly titled “Brave New World”.
With “dazzling technical prowess” (NY Times), Di Meola and his ensemble let loose a “big, melodic, percussion heavy sound” (Drum!) that is both innovative and accessible, flowing effortlessly from tango to gypsy swing to classic pop, and back again.
Over the last nearly four decades, Di Meola has garnered three gold albums and more than six million record sales worldwide, appearing alongside luminaries such as Paul Simon, Phil Collins, Steve Winwood, Chick Corea, Les Paul, Jimmy Page, Frank Zappa, and many more in addition to his critically-acclaimed solo work.
..:: SOURCE: JazzNews ::..
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