Al di Meola - Anthology (1975-1982) [Repost]

"Anthology" contains all the 'classic' tracks like "Land Of The Midnight Sun" (swinging and dynamic with splendid interplay between guitar, electric piano and the rhythm section, an exciting percussive break and a captivating duel between the Minimoog and guitar), "Race With Devil On Spanish Highway" (spectacular propulsive rhythm and catchy guitar riffs and swirling interplay between guitar and keyboards), "Elegant Gypsy Suite" (wonderful Spanish flavor with acoustic guitar and string-ensemble from Al Di Meola), "Medley: Short Tales Of The Black Forest/Fantasia suite for two guitars" (virtuosic interplay between acoustic guitar, marimba and electric piano), "Alien Chase On Arabian Desert" (spectacular Yamaha CS-80 synthesizer sound and a sultry climate delivering a sensational duel between the guitar and Minimoog), "God Bird Change" (swinging and dynamic rhythm with again great interplay between electric guitar, keyboards and percussion and an exciting percussive break on conga's from Mingo Lewis), "Electric Rendezvous" (sensational atmosphere, very catchy and dynamic featuring howling electric guitar and flashy Minimoog flights from Jan Hammer), "Egyptian Dance-live" (also very dynamic and exciting) and "Crusin'-live" (sounds like The Mahavishnu Orchestra delivering splendid work from Al Di Meola and Jan Hammer). The track "Sequencer" features fiery electric guitar and Jan Hammer on the famous Fairlight computer delivering a catchy sequencer sound, this evokes the time that Jan Hammer worked with Jeff Beck on "Wired". On the short "Bianca's midnight lullaby" Al Di Meola plays romantic acoustic guitar. This compilation includes four previously unreleased tracks, the final two on CD2 are recorded in Holland in 1982.

Personnel:
Al Di Meola/Electric – and acoustic guitars, timbales, percussion, Fylde mando-cello, maracas, ARP string-ensemble, acoustic piano
Simon Phillips/Drums
Eddie Colon/Percussion, timbales and roto-tom
Steve Gadd/Drums
Robert Gonzales/Drums
Anthony Jackson/Bass guitar
Tim Landers/Electric bass
Mingo Lewis/Percussion and conga
Phil Collins/Drums
Jan Hammer/Fairlight CM1, electric piano, Minimoog and drums
Alphonse Mouzon/Drums
Jaco Pastorius/Electric bass
Barry Miles/Electric piano, Yamaha organ, Minimoog and timbales
Lenny White/Drums
Philippe Saisse/Keyboards and marimba
Vlodek Gulgowski/Electric piano and synthesizer


Columbia Records C2K 63556
This is a 2-CD compilation that covers the classic years 1975-1982 featuring 4 previously unreleased tracks (*)

Trackklist:
Disc 1:
1. Land Of The Midnight Sun (9.13)
2. Suite: Golden Dawn (9.50)
3. Race With Devil On Spanish Highway (6.17)
4. Elegant Gypsy Suite (9.14)
5. Senor Mouse (7.22)
6. Casino (9.30)
7. Medley: Short Tales Of The Black Forest/Fantasia suite for two guitars (11.08) *
8. The Wizard (10.25) *

Disc 2:
1. Alien Chase On Arabian Desert (8.59)
2. Dinner Music Of The Gods (8.34)
3. Bianca's Midnight Lullaby (1.57)
4. God Bird Change (3.55)
5. Electric Rendezvous (7.52)
6. Nena (Live) (5.00)
7. Egyptian Dance (Live) (5.41
8. Crusin' (Live) (5.25)
9. Island Dreamer (4.06)
10. Sequencer (4.08)
11. Al Di's Dream Theme (9.24) *
12. Theme To The Mothership (8.04) *