Al di Meola, who in his early days sometimes sacrificed feeling for speed (he always had remarkable technique), grew and developed through the years. His final of three Manhattan releases is his finest, a sextet outing with keyboardist
Kei Akagi, electric bassist
Anthony Jackson, acoustic bassist
Harvie Swartz, drummer Tommy Brechtlein, and his longtime percussionist,
Mino Cinelu. Having grown out of his fusion roots,
di Meola's interest in world music and folk music from other countries is displayed throughout this colorful set, particularly on such numbers as "Beijing Demons," "Song to the Pharoah Kings," and the exciting "Rhapsody of Fire." ~ Scott Yanow