Al di Meola continues to broaden his musical horizons with Flesh on Flesh, his fourth release
for the Telarc recording label. The great guitarist is joined by two members of his World
Sinfonia acoustic group -- Gumbi Ortiz on percussion and Mario Parmisano on keyboards --
in addition to such stellar musicians as Gonzalo Rubalcaba, flutist Alejandro Santos, and
bassist Anthony Jackson, who recorded with di Meola on his best-selling Elegant Gypsy
album in the mid-'80s. Offering classic guitar lines on an array of guitars (including a vintage
Les Paul, Fender Stratocaster, and Conde-Romano acoustic), di Meola is memorable,
timeless, and true to the beauty, culture and sensual imagery that inspired him to compose
and arrange these eight great songs. Each song is a masterpiece, and such compositions as
"Flesh on Flesh" (which features him on five different instruments), "Zona Desperata," and
"Fugata" (which showcases di Meola trading with Gonzalo Rubalcaba on their Fender Rhodes
solo in part three) are just three of the musical statements befitting all who've been lucky
enough to see or hear di Meola's phenomenal sound "live." To hear that same energy and
excitement recorded "live" on Flesh on Flesh is especially gratifying since the music is
developed and takes place in a new context, space, and time. You'll find that every graceful
musical curve, every dynamic concept, every technological update heard on Flesh on Flesh is
a celebration of new forms and functions, of strict rhythmic reinterpretation and the inimitable
di Meola sound and guitar virtuosity. A must-have.
~ Paula Edelstein, All Music Guide
Guitarist Al Di Meola's latest CD, Flesh on Flesh is a sensual recording that immediately
conjures up the sights, tastes, smells, and sounds of Latin America, Cuba, the Caribbean, and
Spain. With powerful compositions from Di Meola, Brazilian Egberto Gismonti, Argentinian
Astor Piazzola, and Hispanic American jazz legend Chick Corea, Flesh on Flesh offers the
energy of Di Meola's fusion outings, the sheer beauty of some of his solo guitar work, and the
interesting arrangements and powerful improvisation of his best jazz-influenced work.
~
www.jazzitude.comPlain-spoken Meola’s latest studio output “Flesh On Flesh” can’t be called anything else than
another sheer masterpiece by him. Quite typically it’s an all instrumental one and contains a
couple of the most interesting arrangements I’ve ever heard from him. Apart from five own
compositions there’s one by Egberto Gismonti ("Meninas"), Astor Piazzola ("Fugata" ) and one
by his old band mate from RTF-times Chick Corea (“Senor Mouse”). There’s another reunion
here that is the one with bass player Anthony Jackson who didn’t play together with him since
the glorious days of "Elegant Gypsy". His powerful play is a large enrichment for the sound on
this record. It’s just awesome how Di Meola manages here to keep up a certain tension
starting from the opener "Zona Desperata" right to the closing track “Senor Mouse”. He’s
choosing the different sounds with a higher sensitivity than ever before, blending dark with
bright and fiery with gentle. The tracks have been played with alternating line-up with a very rich
instrumentation which is contributing even more to the diversified sound of this record. Actually
I’m not aware of any other album by him being as versatile and therefore able to fascinate me
as this one did but I’ve to confess that usually I don’t prefer this lighter form of fusion. Anyway I
think it should not only appeal to his fans but as well to lovers of jazz fusion and symphonic
prog in general unless they’re insisting to have a considerable proportion of rock in their Prog.
There’s no other choice than giving this album a 5-stars rating.
~ hdfisch (Dieter Fischer), progarchives.com
