All that needs to be said is “Al Di Meola” and this review practically writes itself. The savant-like jazz fusion guitarist and composer has been dazzling audiences for years with his skill and he has never feared an expansion of his sound.
This Blu-ray release from the excellent Inakustik label captures his performance from the 2009 Mawazine Festival in Rabat, Morocco. For this performance, Di Meola mainly puts down his electric guitar in favor of a more acoustic performance on nylon string with a backing band that blends the influences of the region, incorporating native Moroccan musicians for a world music, Mediterranean sound. Often sounding equally North African and Spanish, the music is smooth, precise, rhythmic and soulful, as Di Meola’s ski