Wild Muse
Jorge Strunz and Ardeshir Farah perennially straddle the lines between flamenco, jazz, Middle Eastern, and Afro-Latin music, deftly assimilating their influences and backed by superb four-piece bands.Wild Muse, their eighth studio album, is no exception, offering yet another splendid brew of Strunz & Farah-style Latin guitar music. The difference here is that while some recent albums were filled with fast tempos and dramatic winds,Musefocuses on simmering works that are as intense in a quieter fashion, like the beautifully romantic "Natural Flow." "Zagros" and "El Faraon," however, are more rambunctious, propelled by fiery guitar licks, dancing percussion, and the agile bouzouki playing of Danny Papakalos. As always, the nimble fingers of Strunz & Farah fly across their acoustic guitar frets as if it were oh so easy. Another bonus onWild Museis the bass work contributed by Carlitos Del Puerto; his sinuous licks deftly wind through the musical maze and add another layer to the complex compositions.--Bryan Reesman