Elegant Gypsy was a follow-up album to Di Meola's debut release, Land of the Midnight Sun. The distinctive music on the album is a speedy fusion of jazz in addition to rock, amongst lightning-fast guitar riffs intermixed amongst lyrical acoustical passages. The songs include explorations of Latin music themes, including acoustic genres similar flamenco
Elegant Gypsy won an annual honour for Best Guitar Album inward Guitar Player Magazine.
Guitarist Al di Meola's instant tape every bit a leader is to a greater extent than oftentimes than non an explosive affair, although it does own got a fair amount of variety. With Jan Hammer or Barry Miles on keyboards, electrical bassist Anthony Jackson, drummer Lenny White (Steve Gadd takes his house on the "Elegant Gypsy Suite"), in addition to percussionist Mingo Lewis on most of the selections, di Meola shows off his speedy in addition to rock-ish fusion style. He was yet a fellow member of Return to Forever at the fourth dimension in addition to was a stronger guitarist than composer, but di Meola did lay a lot of idea into this music. The brief "Lady of Rome, Sister of Brazil" (an acoustic guitar solo) in addition to "Mediterranean Sundance" (an acoustic dyad amongst immature human being guitarist Paco de LucÃa) hints at di Meola's time to come directions. Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 nigh classic inward the fusion vein.
Al Dimeola, at the fourth dimension of this release, was the best fusion guitarist on the planet. (Mclaughlin lacked the liberate energy that he had earlier Mahavishnu broke upwardly in addition to Holdsworth had yet to accomplish the cracking heights that he would uncovering inward the eighties). Dimeola is at his best composition wise every bit good every bit inward his playing. "Flight Over Rio" in addition to "Midnight Tango" are examples of this. Al in addition to a Les Paul are meant to live on together. "Mediterannean Sundance" is a dyad amongst Paco DeLucia in addition to a consummate acoustic extravaganza.The guitar artistry displayed yesteryear both is unbelievable. This is a slice that tin live on listened to over in addition to over. "Race With the Devil on Castilian Highway" is the electrical extravaganza in addition to a favorite of anybody that has heard it. Unison 32nd banking concern complaint lines are exactly a role of this Dimeola classic. The writing is amazing in addition to Al has never sounded better. The balance of the disc consists of a percussion slice in addition to so in conclusion in that place is the championship runway which is about other Dimeola masterwork. The band on this disc is incredible. January Hammer, Steve Gadd, Anthony Jackson, in addition to Mingo Lewis all are phenomenal musicians inward in that place ain correct in addition to Dimeola has all of them playing at their commons amazing heights. If yous are entirely familiar amongst RTF in addition to are wondering why Al would exit them for a solo career this disc has the answers. Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 must own got for whatever jazz/fusion fan or guitar enthusiast.
Al DiMeola was for sure the Jimi Hendrix of the 70's Jazz Fusion movement. And, this is his best disc from that period. Di Meola's music was likewise a precursor to the best World in addition to New Age music of the 80s in addition to 90s. Just because Jazz-fusion is out of fashion amongst the Jazz intelligentsia, doesn't hateful DiMeola needs to live on discounted. On the contrary, he inspired many to seek a novel path for jazz's survival into the belatedly 20th century in addition to beyond. He likewise helped the uninitiated sympathise that Jazz is a cross-pollinating "bastard" musical shape (in the best feel of the word) that is beyond musical category. I dearest Dixieland Jazz, Stride, Swing, Bebop, Afro-Cuban Jazz, West Coast Cool, Jazz Funk, 80s Neoclassic, Third Wave, etc, etc. I likewise dearest the best of Jazz Fusion. This is it!
Back when I was inward junior high school, I subscribed to Guitar Player magazine, in addition to inward their annual awards issue, Al DiMeola won best jazz guitarist in addition to this album won best guitar album. I'd never heard of him or it, I knew nada virtually jazz or fusion, but hey, 'best guitar album', what did I own got to lose? What I heard only blew my mind, it was different anything I was prepared for. It changed my life. It fifty-fifty changed the agency I play guitar. Al DiMeola remains my favorite guitarist, in addition to this remains my favorite of his albums. You absolutely cannot become incorrect amongst it.
Tracks Listing
1. Flight Over Rio (7:16)
2. Midnight Tango (7:28)
3. Mediterranean Sundance (5:14)
4. Race With Devil On Castilian Highway (6:18)
5. Lady Of Rome, Sister Of Brazil (1:46)
6. Elegant Gypsy Suite (9:16)
Total Time: 37:18
Personnel
Al Di Meola: Electric guitars, acoustic guitars, piano, synthesizer, percussion.
Paco de LucÃa: Acoustic guitar (track 3).
Anthony Jackson: Bass guitar (tracks 1, 2, 4, 6).
January Hammer: Keyboards, synthesizer (tracks 1, 6).
Barry Miles: Piano, keyboards, synthesizer (tracks 2, 4).
Steve Gadd: Drums (tracks 1, 6).
Lenny White: Drums (tracks 2, 4).
Mingo Lewis: Congas, synthesizers, organ, percussion (tracks 1, 2, 4, 6).
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