ELEGANT GYPSY

1977's Best Guitar Album and Al Di Meola the first Heavy Metal guitar hero (see in the booklet of Cloumbia Jazz Contemporary Masters: 'I read Guitar World and Guitar Player and all these magazines, and I see where a lot of these heavy-metal players [Yngwie Malmsteen andTony MacAlpine for examples] mention me as an important influence for them. At first I couldn't understand the connection between my music and their music. But then when I go back and listen to some of my early music, I hear what they're talking about. It's that intense quality that they relate to'). Then Al Di Meola played fusion only because felt the need to expand executive technique of guitar, which did not allow if his played only rock. Then, still, Al Di Meola is of Italian origins. If First Over Rio is a simply cover and Midnight Tango is a simply fusion song Mediterranean Suddance is a great omage of the Di Meola's origins (Italy) also if Lady Of Rome, Lady Of Brazil is too much indicative. But is Race With Devil On Spanish Higway is the prototype in fusion field of Malmsteen song and technique. Al Di Meola could not find a better student (strangely too often associated with Blackmore). Then this song is also one of the more symphonic song of fusion and better of Progressive music. Elegant Gypsy Suite is more Spanish and in general have Race With Devil On Spanish Highway's guitar riff reprise with flamenco interludes. In conclusion Elegant Gypsy is another seminal album of 70's, great example of Proto Jazz Metal. And for these reasons Elegant Gypsy is a perfect example of 70's music not only of fusion. 5 stars are few, today as in 1977.