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The fire is back. You can hear it in no uncertain terms on the supercharged title cut from Kiss My Axe, Al Di Meola's most intense electric album in ten years. The power and fury of a Les Paul, his signature sound throughout the 70s is very much in evidence on this dynamic electric band offering. The speed, impeccable technique and intensity that typified Di Meola's best work during fusion's heyday is tempered here with seasoning and soul, two qualities that a musician acquires with age. Di Meola speaks volumes on Kiss My Axe as bursts of speed mark "Phantom", "Global Safari" and the title track. ~ Guitar Nine Records


While I too think Elegant Gypsy is Al's finest moment, his other work has always been a musical pleasure. His Winter Nights is simply superb. Electric Rendezvous short but sweet! Casino is as close to Gypsy as can be. Kiss My Axe is also worth the money and your time to give it a listen. If you like a variety of styles intermingled - here's the happy meal! Blazing guitar, gut wrenching bass on some of the tunes. Light and airy on others.

In following Mr. Di Meola's career, there seems to be a maturity in his work-While Gypsy is a simply a marvel in its blazing guitar work - each piece is technical bliss and speed! The works thereafter have been all about change -evolution if you will. The man still has the chops, but it's tempered and controlled. Youth to experience is the best analogy I can make here. It is obvious that he wants to stretch his music in other styles - not specifically jazz fusion.

I will continue to purchase his work simply because it has never failed to entertain me. Mr. Di Meola is simply one of the best of the best. One other reviewer wrote something to the effect "surely the Master knows more than his admirers!" I think there is a grain of truth in that remark. Each work that this man has done has been a step in his musical journey-I, for one, am glad he's allowed me the opportunity to walk with him along the way. ~ Review by John Keating @ Amazon.com


Tracklisting:
1. South Bound Traveler (5:22)
2. The Embrace (5:49)
3. Kiss My Axe (5:04)
4. Morocco (7:41)
5. Gigi's Playtime Rhyme (Interlude #1) (2:36)
6. One Night Last June (8:19)
7. Phantom (7:53)
8. Erotic Interlude (Interlude #2) (2:32)
9. Global Safari (5:42)
10. Interlude #3 (1:59)
11. Purple Orchids (6:45)
12. The Prophet (Interlude #4) (1:18)
13. Oriana (September 24, 1988) (5:19)

Total Time: 65:01

Line-Up:
- Al DiMeola / guitar (acoustic), cymbals, andclapping, tabla, guitar (electric), guitar
- Richie Morales / drums
- Gumbi Ortiz / conga
- Tony Scherr / bass, bass (acoustic), bass (electric)
- Arto Tuncboyaciyan / percussion, bata, voices, bongos
- Gumbi Oritz / conga, bata, handclapping
- Rachel Z / synthesizer
- Anthony Jackson / bass (electric), clarinet (contrabass)
- Omar Hakim / drums
- Barry Miles / synthesizer, synclavier, handclapping, piano


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