CIELO E TERRA

Though a departure for him at the time and the start of a serious move in new directions, Al Di Meola's 'Cielo e Terra' is supremely satisfying. A quietly haunting landscape is painted throughout the album as Di Meola focuses on the blend of acoustic guitar with synthesizer washes, allowing these swirls of light and color room to breathe, evoking moods of twilight and gentle desert winds. It also shows the beginnings of what would become his World Sinfonia, a series of projects I cannot say enough good things about. If you're stuck on his high-tech fusion of the 70s then avoid this lovely work. I give it three stars here based on a typical prog rock standard, but this record is too uniquely beautiful to rate in such a way.

Lots of tasteful, yet mostly boring, guitar noodlings from Al di Meola.

I usually don't struggle to find things to say about an album, but when so little actually happens on an album (as is the case here), what is there to say? Most of the songs are mellow, meandering pieces that of course feature lots of acoustic guitar, but with little else. And I mean VERY little: few melodies, consistent tempos, or other instrumentation. This is mostly spacey, new-age, relaxing music, nothing more. This would be great music to have in a hotel lounge, but not for much else.

There are only a few places when you actually notice that a guitarist as talented as di Meola is playing, such as when he cuts loose a bit on Vertigo Shadow or some of the gorgeous runs on Atavism of Twilight. The highlight is definitely the title track, in which di Meola actually partly succeeds in creating a meaningful soundscape. This is also helped greatly by the inclusion of percussion, sparse synths, and some vocal calls and cha-chas. It's nothing spectacular, but at least it holds my attention. I cannot say the same for the rest, which is basically tender solo acoustic guitar ramblings.

I really see little reason to go out of your way to obtain this album. Unless you are in dire need of some decent ambient, relaxing tunes, Cielo e Terra has little to offer.