Pack your bags and get ready for a trip to the sun-drenched Mediterranean. Guitarra del Fuego, Johannes Linstead’s latest album, sounds like the soundtrack for a long, leisurely tour along the Côte d’Azur. With sales of his first two Real Music releases – Sol Luna Tierra and Kiss the Earth – having exceeded 100,000 units, Linstead clearly has struck a popular chord with his fresh brand of acoustic, contemporary flamenco stylings. Danceable rhythms and gorgeous melodies are woven on the delightful Guitarra del Fuego. Sensuous, sophisticated nouveau-flamenco guitar riffs flow like sangria, and Latin trumpet blows musical kisses sweeter than wine.
A stellar group of 12 musicians contributes to the fun. Linstead composed, arranged, recorded, and mixed all the music, and he plays guitar, piano, keyboards, shakers, palmas, and percussive effects. The other musicians add tons of percussion, guitars, bass, vocalizations, trumpet, and violin to this delightful music fest. Linstead’s fully realized vision of lushly romantic nouveau-flamenco music is the happy result of the collaboration. Guitarra del Fuego is one of the loveliest musical experiences of the year.