Customer Reviews

Primal Magic

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The dynamite guitar duo Jorge Strunz and Ardeshir Farah make musical magic and create a wonderful new, high energy sound for the acoustic guitar. Costa Rican Strunz's and Iranian born Farah's fusion of Middle Eastern, Latin American and Mediterranean music is simply outstanding. I had mentioned to a friend how much I enjoy the Gipsy Kings. He proceeded to play "Primal Magic" for me, which I immediately bought - my first Strunz and Farah album. While not the same mixture of Flamenco and Spanish the Kings produce, there is a certain quality in these exotic instrumental cuts that is somewhat reminiscent of their style - perhaps the Mediterranean influence with a wild touch of the gypsy.

"Huixamatli" (Luna Llena), with its enticing, indigenous sound of ancient Mexico and exotic percussion, is one of my favorite tracks, as is the Andean cueca "Zumba," and "Twilight at the Zuq" with it's Near Eastern rhythms. "Anochecer" is more nuevo flamenco and one can hear calls of tropical birds and the voices of the rainforest and river, in "Amazonas." "Rainmaker is a fabulous cut with Mexican vocalist and percussionist Ixonztli performing a traditional chant.

I love this award-winning CD, one of my favorites and highly recommend it, especially to those who love the sound of acoustic guitar and world music.
JANA

We come across scores of musical pieces/songs that evoke memories of the good times or make us melancholy, yet, there are other types of music which can induce sheer energy into our system and titillate our inner most feelings. The type we call "nourishment for the soul". Primal Magic by the duo Strunz and Farah positively belongs to the later type.

The original recording was done in digital domain, however the editing which followed was performed with Analogue equipment. This resulted in a perfect marriage between Digital and Analogue. The sound is open, detailed, free from digital harshness, and in one word "CLEAN". The instruments in the mix are as distinct as they can be. If one wishes to concentrate on a single instrument it would not be difficult to pinpoint its position on a good system. The separation of the two channels is superb. My head was going from left to right listening to the two guitarists performing on each channel, as if I was attending the final at the Wimbledon.

After listening to this album one cannot help but want to give a standing ovation (even if you are alone in the room) for the mind boggling tempo that these two virtuoso's cook up, with an equally interesting melody and to top it off, manage intricately woven complex rhythm patterns all at the same time. A feat few have managed to achieve no matter what music genre they belong to.

I highly recommend this album to anyone who likes the John McLaughlin, Al Dimeola, Paco DeLucia sound. The songs are catchy, funky, jazzy, and rippin'. I like this one the best of my collection. (I have 5 other albums by Strunz and Farah) A must-have for a real guitar music fan.

This is my all-time favorite music CD. I have gone through 2 copies in the past few years since I first discovered S&F. You just cannot help but feel good while listening to it.

This was the first CD I ever owned so therefore the one that has probably got the most play on my deck.I never tire of the music and it still sounds good even after a decade. These guys were at the forefront of the many groups that proliferated with what can only be termed as pop flamenco. The guitar work is wonderful and the interchange between the duo is delightful for the ears. "Rainmaker" is one of my favorite tracks as there are vocals sung by the Mexican percussionist"Ixonztli" who chants a tradional "Tarahumara' chant in between dueling guitars. "Amazonas" is another favorite track that features fine pre-Columbian winds and percussion set to tropical sounds depicting the rainforest. This is the music of Spain by non-Spaniards presented on a palette for the world to enjoy. The influence of the guitar has streched the globe and the pairing of this Costa Rican and Iranian speaks to the universal language of music. This is world music in its embryo stage and many fine albums have resulted since. Many groups or duos have used this formula including "Willie & Lobo" and "Lara & Reyes" but these guys are original as evidenced by this early release. Excellent guitar music with a world music feel to it.

Strunz & Farah are INCREDIBLE, masterful guitarists! If you like Latin, Meditteranean, Flamenco, etc. nylon string acoustic guitar, you will LOVE these guys! Jorge Strunz hails from Costa Rica, and Ardeshir Farah from Iran. The eclectic beautiful guitar sound is 'Latin meets Middle Eastern', and if this gorgeous playing doesn't touch your soul, you are an automaton! The guitar playing is highly soulful, passionate, and emotional. Acoustic guitar doesn't get any better than this! Clockwork performance!

THIS, BY FAR IS THE BEST ALBUM BY S&F . THE MUSIC ACCUALLY MOVES YOU,GENTLE RHYTHMS, AND FLOWING ARRAINGEMENTS WILL HAVE YOU STRESS FREE IN MINUTES. CLOSE YOUR EYES AND YOU WILL BELIEVE,THIS ALBUM HAD IT ALL!!!!!!!

These guys are absolutely incredible the way they exchange solos throughout a song; you can hardly tell when the transition from one guitarist to the other occurs, except after many listenings. The only reason I did not give this album 5 stars is because I feel that another of their albums, "Americas" is an absolute masterpiece. That album which isn't listed here, is one of my top all-time albums of any type. Play it for guests, play it for yourself, play it for those moments with that special someone; any which way, you will love the album.

I have been a fan of S&F since their first album - Mosaico - and through their truly groundbreaking follow-on albums - Frontera, Guitarras, and the hauntingly beautiful Misterio.

However, these albums, deserving of cult-following as they were, clearly weren't paying the rent. So, as many before them - Pat Metheny, George Benson - they decided to go commercial.

As such, with the surge in "Vacation World Music" that was the equivalent of those cheap and nasty postcards you get at resorts (think Armik, Ottmar Liebert, and all those "Spanish Guitar" albums you can pick up at "Bed Bath and Beyond"), it seemed logical to fuse this, with a latent demand for clearly mainstream Hispanic dance music. And the result is one that clearly wipes those other poseurs off the musical map.

This is straight ahead Hispanic/World fusion dance/pop music. Catchy, if derivative, themes abound (Strunz has an almost supernatural knack for a memorable melody that evokes whatever part of the world his mind wanders to).

One thing it most definitely is not is Flamenco. Even Mr Strunz himself - in an interview for "Guitar Player" magazine - was at pains to point this out, and even went as far as to say that he has many friends who are true Flamenco players who he would not want to insult. Anyone who really wants to hear true Flamenco guitar needs to look towards the likes of Ramon Montoya, Sabicas, Manolo Sanlucar, Tomatito and Paco De Lucia. Artists who are true Flamenco, but have intelligently introduced new influences, include Vincente Amigo and Gerardo Nunez (with whom S&F have recorded).

But while other artists - Armik and Liebert in particular - have no grounding in true Flamenco or Jazz and, instead, attempt weak similies with limited techniques and with all the authenticity of Greek Sake, Strunz and Farah, with their depth of experience, pull off something all the more respectable. Their clear nods to Paco De Lucia in "Ida Y Vuelta", while a little pedestrian to those of use who've seen Paco live, show a depth of influence and understanding that their peers cannot even begin to understand, let alone mimic.

However, at the end of the day, this is artistically substandard to their more accomplished early work. And of course it is not meant to be anything other than what it is: clearly, this is a fine album for all those people hooked on pseudo-Flamenco, but who find "Flamenco Puro" just a little too lacking in simple hooks and catchy riffs. And S&F deserve to be congratulated for having the business sense to fund their true passions with commercial work that is polished and has integrity.

But for those looking for something more than Mexican Restaurant background music, I suggest looking elsewhere.

Completely satisfied with purchase. Timely arrival, excellent condition. Would purchase again from this seller in a heartbeat.