Cielo e Terra/Soaring Through a Dream [PA]

Performer: Al di Meola
Engineer: Dennis MacKay; David Baker; David O'Donnell; Dennis MacKay; Ellen Fitton; Jon Goldberger; Moira Marquis; Scott Mabuchi; David Baker
Producer: David Baker; Al DiMeola; Nancy Gaelen; Al DiMeola; David Baker
Distributor: E1 Distribution (USA)

Notes: Lyricist: Airto Moreira. Personnel: Al di Meola (guitar, guitars, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, classical guitar, Synclavier); Airto Moreira (vocals, percussion); Jose Renato, Jos� Renato (vocals); Phil Markowitz (piano, synthesizer); Kei Akagi, Anthony Jackson (keyboards); Chip Jackson (acoustic bass, electric bass); Harvie Swartz (acoustic bass); Tommy Brechtlein, Danny Gottlieb, Tom Brechtlein (drums); Carlos DaSilva "Beluba" Pinto, Elizeu Felix, Roberto Pinheiro, Mino Cinelu (percussion); Dan Mockensturm, Dan Mockensturm (programming). Programmer: Dan Mockensturm. Audio Remasterers: Andrew Thompson ; Bob Ludwig. Liner Note Author: Alyn Shipton. Recording information: Atlantic Studios (04/1987); Power Station (04/1987); Right Track Recording, New York, NY (04/1987). Photographers: Peter Zander; Beverly Parker. Arrangers: Kei Akagi; Al di Meola. The U.K.'s BGO Records reissues three Al di Meola mid-'80s albums on a pair of CDs. First is the nearly smooth jazz Soaring Through a Dream released originally on EMI's Manhattan imprint in 1985 -- this album was an attempt by the great guitarist to score a hit single or two on the then-newly formed smooth jazz radio format. Next is the lightweight acoustic set Cielo e Terra, released during the same year, that is easily the best in this bunch, as it .contains a couple of fine tines such as the title track and "Atavism of Twilight." Finally, the 1987 offering, Tirami Su, was a half-hearted attempt by the guitarist to return to fusion -- the very thing that had established his reputation in the first place. A motley collection to be sure. ~ Thom Jurek The U.K.'s BGO Records doesn't usually miss with their reissues. They always remaster their titles beautifully, provide excellent liner notes, and most importantly, assemble fine titles -- usually a couple of excellent, chronologically closely released ones. Not so here. What possessed the label to issue these three Al di Meola mid-'80s duds on a pair of CDs is actually rather puzzling. First is the nearly smooth jazz Soaring Through a Dream released originally on EMI's Manhattan imprint in 1985 -- this album was an attempt by the great guitarist to score a hit single or two on the then-newly formed radio format. There is nothing wrong with smooth jazz as a genre, but the music here is generally poorly conceived and performed. Next is the lightweight acoustic set Cielo e Terra, released during the same year, that is easily the best in this sorry bunch. It at least contains a couple of fine tunes such as the title track and "Atavism of Twilight." Finally, the 1987 offering, Tirami Su, was a half-hearted attempt by the guitarist to return to fusion -- the very thing that had established his reputation in the first place. Together these three albums make for a dull, unfocused and even and confusing listening experience. Avoid. ~ Thom Jurek

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