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All of Andalucia’s 10 pieces are Gunter originals. He opens the CD with the lyrical beauty, 'Villa de Amor,' then moves into electronica territory with 'The Storm Is Near,' accentuated by a bluesy bending of the guitar strings and undergirded by an exotic-sounding harmonic minor scale. The reflective 'Solitude' is also blues-infused with flamenco colors, while the next tune, 'Bella Noche,' has a jazzy feel with Celtic tones. Gunter’s guitar takes on an oud-like quality on the mysterious 'Secret of the Tower,' spiced with Middle Eastern drumming, which is followed by two romantic numbers: the R&B-styled 'With My Heart' and the gently gliding 'This Dance.' After the atmospheric 'Touch,' the most obvious nod to the new-age genre, Gunter accelerates the tempo on the passionate 'Moorish Groove' and concludes with the sacred muse, 'Eternity,' that floats in an otherworldly calm.

Musicians

brent gunter : guitars, guitar-synth, keyboards, percussion

sean foote : Bass

matthew lenhart : bass, keyboards

jerry jacques : drums

michael snyder, thomas schroyer, michael beach, martin zarzar : various percussion instruments

Artist Bio:

Andalucia

Lloyd Barde, Backroads Music 2005

It is not often that understated and dazzling are used in the same review for a guitarist of this talent and magnitude, but they both apply on "Andalucia". At once a classical virtuoso, ambient visionary and pop musician of great warmth, passion and feelings, Brent Gunter enchants with compositions flowing effortlessly from his nylon strings, and he is skillfully accompanied by keyboards, bass, and an array of percussion instruments, many of which he plays himself. His music is beautiful, accessible and soft in spite of its often fiery flair. The occasional gypsy references and passionate, precision-packed rhythm section adds up to dream-like visions and fantasy-laden romantic themes which are nicely offset by the fast-paced flourishes blazing from Gunter's well-tempered guitar. Modern and well polished, filled with contemporary arrangements and even a bit jazzy in parts, it retains all the freshness and soul of a musical language spoken through acoustic guitar. While occasional melancholy and pathos pull on the sensitive heartstrings of the listener, this music is brimming with life, joy and happiness. Comparisons to Jesse Cook, Craig Chaquico, Govi and surely Ottmar Liebert will surely surface but Gunter displays his own artistry all the way. A fresh instrumental voice in a crowded musical arena where it's most needed, Brent's elegant guitar virtuosity moves from meticulous to free flowing, as he freely changes gears, directions and tempos as his deep well of talented playing dictates.

Product SKU: SAN-16702-ANDAL