Al Di Meola – Casino (Speakers Corner 180g Vinyl LP)

Master of the strings, Al Di Meola, traded in the over-ambitious manual dexterity of Elegant Gypsy (1977) for more musical substance on intensive follow-up, Casino (1988). For example in “Egyptian Danza,” an amalgamation of melodies circle around one another and evoke with light electronics the contrasting worlds of the Orient, Occident and New World. A far sharper sound is conjured up in “Chasin‘ The Voodoo,” which escalates to an extremely tightly-knit continuous fire, infused with the maestro’s familiar guitar sound.

Di Meola combines the idea of multiple rhythms and parts in the “Fantasia Suite For Two Guitars,” four miniatures with percussive zapateado and whirling flamenco. He saves the best for last in the lengthy title number where everything comes together to create a magnificent piece with varying tempos, layered patterns, deceptive metrical changes and, of course, guitar playing of the highest order.

This Speakers Corner 180g vinyl reissue was remastered using pure analogue components only from the master tapes through to the cutting head.

Musicians:
Al Di Meola, guitars
Barry Miles, keyboards
Anthony Jackson, bass
Steve Gadd, drums
Eddie Colon / Mingo Lewis, percussion

1. Egyptian Danza
2. Chasin’ The Voodoo
3. Dark Eye Tango
4. Senor Mouse
5. Fantasia Suite for Two Guitars (Viva La Danzarina / Guitars Of The Exotic Isle / Rhapsody Italia / Bravoto Fantasia)
6. Casino