Al Di Meola: Flesh on Flesh (2002)

C. MICHAEL BAILEY,

C. Michael Bailey

Senior Contributor since 1997

...wants to know if Gene Harris is playing "Summertime" in Heaven...

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Published: August 13, 2002

Virtuosity

Al Di Meola has successfully meandered through Fusion as the wunderkind guitarist for Return to Forever, as fellow guitar god with John McLaughlin, and a long journey through acoustic would music. His releases have become progressively more plushly produced and engineered to the point that every release is digital perfection. In spite of this impressive, although completely contrived landscape, Di Meola’s sheer technique and musicianship cannot be denied and there is little to not recommend this disc . Flesh on Flesh is a collection of computer bit candy. The rhythms are characteristically Latin and very complex. The keyboards are well mixed, often out of the way, or to make way for Di Meola’s first love, the guitar. Listening to Di Meola makes one wonder what the big deal was with Jeff Beck’s Blow by Blow (but it really was a big deal).

Mr. Di Meola spins guitar magic in the same way the George Gordon. Lord Byron tossed off rhymes. The music herein is seamless, contemporary, almost unobtrusive (he does have a blazing style) and very, very intelligent.

Track Listing: Zona Desperata; Innamorata; Meninas; Flesh On Flesh; Fugata; Deep And Madly; Saffire Soleil; Senor Mouse. (Total Time: 79:34).

Personnel: Al Di Meola

Record Label: Telarc Records
Style: Fusion/Progressive Rock