On Consequence of Chaos, the legendary guitar hero and composer Al Di Meola delivers a searing, high caliber recording brimming with colorful and complex arrangements. Due at retail on September 26, 2006, Di Meola’s fifth Telarc album offers a contemporary set of fifteen original, genre-blurring compositions. While Di Meola has sold more that six million records (including three gold albums) and won countless guitar awards in his prolific career, the jazz fusion pioneer has done something even more important in the process: he’s continued to push himself and his music forward.
“This is really a new and refreshing period for me,” says Di Meola. “This recording marks my return to playing solid-body electric guitar in the context of modern concepts and composition. I love the energy and the fact that I have reconnected to my first love.”
Di Meola’s restlessly creative spirit is joined on Consequence of Chaos by a stellar group of supporting players. Rounding out the core team are keyboardist Mario Parmisano, drummer/percussionist Ernie Adams and percussionist Gumbi Ortiz. The roster of special guests includes pianist Chick Corea, drummer Steve Gadd, keyboardist Barry Miles, bassists John Patitucci and Victor Miranda, and percussionist Kornel Horvath.
“My group has been playing countless years together around the world,” says Di Meola, “and our love of playing is even more evident on this recording.”
The followup to the critically acclaimed Flesh on Flesh (released on Telarc in 2002), Consequence of Chaos was produced by Di Meola and is dedicated to the memory of recording engineer David Baker.
The album begins with the deep grace and forward-thinking lyricism of “San Marco (Moderna)” and “Turquoise,” then shifts to the Eastern overtones of “Tao” and “Black Pearls.” Along the way, Di Meola’s awesome technique manifests itself in many ways: from the paint-peeling guitar work of “Odyssey” and “Red Moon” (one of two tracks featuring Chick Corea) to the challenging rhythmic syncopation of “Hypnose,” Tempest” and “Africana Suite.” Other highlights include the dreamy and introspective “Azucar,” and the heartfelt ballads “Cry for You” and “San Marco Vecchio.”
Di Meola’s electric guitar playing is what first garnered him an international following in the mid-1970s, when the young Berklee student joined Corea’s seminal fusion group Return To Forever.
“Chick was delighted to be a part of the project,” says Di Meola. “I knew he would just tear it up on ‘Red Moon.’ I think it’s some of the best playing I’ve ever heard from him. Our duet piece, ‘Cry for Me,’ was one of the best interactions I’ve ever had with any musician. Chick is truly superhuman on every musical level.”
Born into an Italian family in New Jersey, young Di Meola divided his time between guitar lessons and hanging out in the local clubs. Influenced greatly by jazz guitarist Larry Coryell, he enrolled at Berklee College of Music in Boston, where his marathon practice sessions are still the stuff of legends. After a brief stint with keyboardist Barry Miles, Di Meola rose to fame in 1974, as a charter member of Corea’s Return To Forever. He launched his solo career two years later with the release of Land of the Midnight Sun.
In addition to Corea, Di Meola has recorded with a pantheon of jazz and pop giants including Paul Simon, Phil Collins, Santana, John McLaughlin, Paco De Lucia, Luciano Pavarotti, Steve Winwood, Wayne Shorter, Herbie Hancock, Gonzalo Rubalcaba, Jaco Pastorius, Les Paul, Jean Luc Ponty, Steve Vai, Frank Zappa, Jimmy Page, Tony Williams, Stanley Clarke, Stevie Wonder, Irakere and many more.
Uncompromising and unafraid of creating expansive musical hybrids, Di Meola remains one of the most prominent forces in the contemporary jazz scene. Consequence of Chaos makes it clear that this guitar virtuoso’s undeniable talents continue to evolve and grow.
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