Rodrigo Y Gabriela & C.U.B.A – Area 52 (Red/Blue Splatter Vinyl/2LP)

Description

Double LP

Area 52 was produced by the legendary Peter Asher and contains nine of Rod and Gab's favorite songs from their own catalog rearranged and reconfigured for a 13-piece Cuban orchestra comprised of some of Havana's finest young players, collectively known as C.U.B.A.

With arrangements from British jazz pianist and composer Alex Wilson, they deliver the musically adventurous and expansive Area 52, which adds horns, strings, hand drums, sitar, oud, and electric guitar to songs that originally appeared in stripped-down form on 2009's 11:11 and their self-titled 2006 release.

The interplay between the classically trained Cuban musicians and these flamenco-styled acoustic rockers is inspired and forced both sets of musicians to rethink their approaches. Cuban music accents music differently than rock 'n' roll. The Carlos Santana tribute "Hanuman" is transformed into a wild celebration of sound. "Ixtapa" features an extended sitar solo from Anoushka Shankar. "11:11" retains its homage to Pink Floyd (especially in its David Gilmour-like guitar solo) while employing an intricate Latin rhythm that's closer to a Cuban folk song. This is a high-spirited collection of inspired musicianship.