Customer Reviews

Infinite Desire

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

In advance we have to admit: De gustibus non est disputandum. For me this album gives the thrill of joy every time I listen to it. I am really very choosy in respect of music but if an album makes me go goosy from deligth even for 100 times that probably means something fine for others, too. Just like my fun-friends I also must say it is mellow and a mature work of Al. The beginning of Valentina is awesome! And my favourite is Azzura and Big Sky Azzura continuosly. Something absolutely breath-taking! In my opinion, Meola is the alpha and omega of guitar-playing because he is not merely inimitably virtuoso in technique but a lot of his songs are so soulful. It is an ambrosia for the soul especially for those who have acute ears! Of course theese samples are good for nothing. The quality of sound is so poor it has the opposite result that Amazon tries to reach. It would be even wiser not to show anything of it because it's something like dishonour this stately music.

First of all, I have to say that this is Al's most mature work so far. There are hints of this musical depth on "Orange and Blue", but this is the most realized effort so far. I cannot complain about the music at all, most of the pieces are just great to LISTEN to. I know that in the past, Al made CD's that a lot of guys would just like to sit down and play air guitar to, trying to match his insane technique, but his sound has really changed. So, if you're looking for another "Elegant Gypsy", then maybe you should look into some Tribal Tech or Allan Holdsworth. Unlike those bands, Al's music has evolved into something very elegant indeed, a beautiful blend of jazz, latin, italian, and just general world sounds. This is definetly world music. I give this only 4 stars because some of these songs are sorta re-processed from the "Guitar Trio" CD of 1996. There are two tracks in particular, "Beyond the Mirage" and "Azzura" that are MUCH better without the contemporary-sounding arrangments. While it's cool to sound different and have a new edge, I just didn't enjoy the techno drum machine sound on "Beyond the Mirage". Other than these few little things, I do love this CD. I bought it when it came out, and it still sounds great. In fact, it has probably the best sound quality of any of his albums so far. I recommend it to anybody looking for something beautiful to listen to.

After releasing Heart of the Immigrants, I thought Al had produced his best album. But Infinite Desire is nothing short of a masterpiece, a truly sensual album enticed by a feeling of desire not heard in the jazz scene for years. Pino Daniele's presence is excellent. When will we see you playing in Malta again Al???

Once again Al DiMeola shows himself to have been blessed with a bottomless well of talent. The Infinite Desire proves that he is head and shoulders above his contemporaries. I like musical tension and there is such tension aplenty in songs like Beyond the Mirage, the mesmerizing Shaking the Spirits, and the evocative Istanbul. The musicians assembled to work on this project have all proven themselves equal to the demands that DiMeola's extremely complex and sophisticated arrangements make on them. I also like mellow and there is plenty of that, too. Pino Daniele's voice adds much to the mood of the vocal version of the title cut. When DiMeola uses a vocalist, he has the golden touch, always finding a singer suitable for the material.When I first heard this album I played it continuously. About the only song I didn't care for at first was Race With the Devil Down a Turkish Highway, since I was used to the song from which it sprang.But after hearing it a number of times, I appreciate the musicianship inherent in the guitar duel between DiMeola and Vai.I notice that a lot of reviewers have compared this to Kiss My Axe. There is no similarity. The Infinite Desire stands with DiMeola's best while Kiss My Axe is one of his least inspired, but THAT is another review. Be sure to buy this album as it is bliss incarnate.

I'm not sure if you have heard any of this guy's stuff, most people probaby have'nt but it is good or maybe even GREAT !!!

Overall this is a fairly pleasant listen. Al has mellowed since his jazz-rock fusion days of the 70's. "Shaking the Spirits" is a great track, "Istanbul is carried by Herbie Hancock's solo and Peter Erkshine's drums, and "Race With the Devil on a Turkish Highway" is astoundingly cool, with some great rapid fire guitar trade-offs at the end with Steve Vai. Al earns bonus points for his attempt at playing straight-ahead jazz on Invention of the Monsters, but it just goes to show that he's not really suited for that kind of setting. "Azzura" sounded much better in the stripped down guitar trio version; "Beyond the Mirage" however works fairly well with the added production (as opposed to the guitar trio version). "Valentina" is a very pretty piece with a convincing VG-8 trumpet sound. Overall though, it seems as though Al would best be suited to stick to his acoustic group "World Sinfonia" or the guitar trio... This is not bad though, better than "Kiss my Axe" but almost up to the level of Orange and Blue (his other 2 electric releases of the 90's).

Like always, Al delivers with a vengence. Raw and passionate material. Pure excellence from Al.

Al's albums as of late are great musical masterpieces, but I'm not moved to learn the songs like I am on the older stuff, like Kiss My Axe. I would put this CD on if I needed to get to sleep. I found a few intense moments, but overall this ones a little slow for me.

I can't believe that only 3 people have reviewed this cd! It is so good, I go to sleep listening to it all the time, but it is no sleeper! PERSONALLY I think it is better than "Kiss My Axe" not that it wasn't a good album as well. GET IT!

Hi-Tech atmosphere, joined with classical jazz performance. It's not an easy listening CD but i think it will be appreciated not only by typical jazz lovers. Why one of the greatest Italian guitar player (Pino Daniele) doesn't play guitar (this is his job) but go on singing??