earMUSIC [Release date 23.02.18]
Many will remember Al Di Meola from his three-album sojourn with jazz fusionists Return To Forever. After that time Di Meola pursued a solo career frequently incorporating world flavours and collaborating with other guitar icons.
His solo albums are always welcome, perhaps in drip-feed mode now compared to his late 1970s heyday. ‘Opus’ finds Di Meola in remarkably good form.
The opener ‘Wandering In The Dark’ is typical with his self-accompaniment and rich orchestrations.
Di Meola’s acoustic stylings are very much in the Spanish/European tradition although tracks like ‘Ceretto Sannita’ and ‘Escapado’ also reveal his familiar Latin leanings.
The music is technically driven, with a remarkable ear for intricate rhythms and exotic harmonies. If at times you’ll be thinking “where’s the tune?” you will still be enveloped in the guitar pizzaz that permeates all these tracks.
‘Broken Heart’ features electric lead and a nice propulsive acoustic ground. The long ‘Ava’s Dream Sequence Lullaby’ allows Di Meola to explore a sumptuous semi-classical piece inspired by his baby daughter. This reminded me a little of Jan Akkerman’s album ‘Aranjuez’ (1978) with its rich mix of orchestra and guitar.
‘Notorious’ and ‘Rebels’ are the closest we get to jazz rock with the busy acoustic rhythms topped by Di Meola’s fluid electric guitar.
‘Opus’ represents something of a quiet renaissance for one of our jazz fusion guitar heroes. ****
Review by David Randall
David Randall presents ‘Assume The Position’ on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio every Sunday at 22:00 GMT.
Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK
Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions, streamed via Facebook.
In 2023 he signed a recording deal with Sony in Canada and released a new single on 15 September.
Latest session: Sunday 14 April
Check out videos here: https://www.facebook.com/getreadytorockradio
David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast on 7 April 2024.
UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). This show was first broadcast 2 April 2024.
How to Listen Live?
Click the programming image at the top of the page (top right of page if using desktop)
Listen via Windows Media Player. Click or tap here and “open file”
Listen via other media player (eg. VLC) Click or tap here and “open file”
Get Ready to ROCK! Radio is also in iTunes under Internet Radio/Classic Rock
Listen in via the Tunein app and search for “Get Ready to ROCK!” and save as favourite.
More information and links at our radio website where you can listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com
Power Plays w/c 15 April 2024
ENMY The Ledge (FiXT)
KAROBELA Get Hard (indie)
KATH & THE KICKS Neptune (indie)
THE BEE TELLERS River Poem (Black Sand Records)
LAUREN FREEBIRD Like A Bomb (indie)
Featured Albums w/c 15 April 2024
09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003-2023
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2023
14:00-16:00 KATARINA PEJAK – Pearls On A String (Ruf Records)
To see our Tweets you need to be logged in to a Twitter account
PDF - you can delete unwanted sections
