With this recording,
Al di Meola thankfully left behind the pop-fusion sound that he had perfected with
Jan Hammer. This was his first venture using the Roland guitar synthesizer and a drum machine. The technology used on this recording sounds dated, but the intent seems genuine.
Jan Hammer's Miami Vice sound can be heard throughout, especially on "Sequencer";
di Meola places more emphasis on composition and production than on his famous technique. This turns out to be a refreshing change, but it would have been nice to hear him jam with
Phil Collins on "Island Dreamer" rather than lying back on what turns out to be a disappointing collaboration. "Calliope" finds
di Meola aligned with
Bill Bruford and
Tony Levin, although this too turns out to be a disappointment. Certainly a turning point in
di Meola's career, but hardly at the level of his later output. ~ Robert Taylor