Al Di Meola: Morocco Fantasia – World Sinfonia Live [2009/2012, Blu-ray]

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All that needs to be said is “Al Di Meola” and this review practically writes itself. The savant-like jazz fusion guitarist and composer has been dazzling audiences for years with his skill and he has never feared an expansion of his sound.

This Blu-ray release from the excellent Inakustik label captures his performance from the 2009 Mawazine Festival in Rabat, Morocco. For this performance, Di Meola mainly puts down his electric guitar in favor of a more acoustic performance on nylon string with a backing band that blends the influences of the region, incorporating native Moroccan musicians for a world music, Mediterranean sound. Often sounding equally North African and Spanish, the music is smooth, precise, rhythmic and soulful, as Di Meola’s skill on the six-string is certainly on full display.

1. Misterio
2. Siberiana
3. Double Concerto
4. Michelangelo’s 7th Child
5. Gumbiero
6. Turquoise
7. Encore
8. Egyptian Danza
bonus:
• Rehearsals (720p; 7:37) finds Di Meola offering advice to the native Moroccan musicians who join him in the concert.
• Soundcheck (720p; 5:25) has Di Meola and the band setting levels and the like. Notice his advice to violinist Abdellah Meri, and how "fast and loose" elements of this concert must have been put together, something quite remarkable considering the complexity of the music.
• Bazar 1 (720p; 4:21) has Di Meola buying various items in a Moroccan open air market.
• Bazar 2 (720p; 5:02) features Di Meola jamming with some street folks.
• Roof Solo (720p; 2:47) is a nice evocative piece, with lots of shots of Rabat (including some really cool pelicans), and Di Meola jamming on top of a cupola.
• Mawazine Suite: Part 1 – 4 (720p; 18:14) is a deleted song of sorts. Interestingly, it's in 1:33:1, perhaps the reason for it not being included in the actual concert footage.
• Morocco (720p; 3:09) is another deleted song, again in 1.33:1.
• Photo Gallery (720p; 4:21) features portraits of Di Meola by Francesco Cabras.
• Teaser (720p; 3:14)

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