AL DI MEOLA — Land of the Midnight Sun (review)

AL DI MEOLA — Land of the Midnight Sun album cover Album · 1976 · Fusion Buy this album from MMA partners
4/5 ·
dreadpirateroberts
In his first session as a leader Al Di Meola reveals an urgency that manages to blend perfectly with a more laid back approach to some of the songs and passages present in 'Land of the Midnight Sun.'

Inside this soothing blue package (one of the most classically 'late 1970s' LP sleeves ever produced) is whirlwind of scales. Di Meola is masterful when it comes to technique, though the inevitable Santana comparisons will be clear in regard to his slower playing and the strong Latin-rock influence on the album, especially with percussion added to the rhythm sections.

With 'The Wizard' Di Meloa unleashes a piece of fusion that alternates between cruisy and dramatic, before fading out over a lightning solo and sliding into the title track with its moody keys and some fine drumming by Lenny White. The sonata is pleasant listening and the 'Love Theme from Pictures of the Sea,' a vocal cut, is probably the only track that doesn't exactly gel with the rest of the album.

'Suite Golden Dawn' unleashes a fiery opening before breaking into the gentle 'Calmer of the Tempests' section, which soon breaks into a catchy riff and some call and response soloing between keys and guitar. Finishing on a more acoustic note is 'Short Tales of the Black Forest' a duet with Di Meola's old pal Chick Corea - and it's a triumph, holding up well under repeated listening. The interplay between the two is wonderful and shows a delicate touch from both players.

As an example of classic fusion this is right up there with the best, a great blend of rock, Latin-rock and jazz. An impressive debut and one well worth investing in for fans of not only fusion and Di Meola, but the guitar in general.
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