OTTMAR LIEBERT & LUNA NEGRA XL
Little Wing (Epic)
Reviewed by Shaun Dale

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Ottmar Liebert wraps up a decade on Epic Records with an album that looks to his influences and recaps the nouveau flamenco style that he introduced on his debut CD in 1990.

The influences are reflected in a quartet of covers, including the title track by Jimi Hendrix, the bossa nova classic "Girl From Ipanema," Led Zeppelin's "Kashmir" and the Rolling Stones' "Paint It Black." While each is treated respectfully, perhaps most notably the Jobim tune, by the time Liebert & Co. are through each is thoroughly appropriated and integrated into the Luna Negra style.

Fans of Ottmar Liebert needn't despair - he's leaving Epic for his own label which will continue to feature Luna Negra releases, as well as Liebert solo albums and more of the electronic and rhythmic experiments featured on previous releases like Euphoria and Opium. Meanwhile, there's the music on Little Wing to keep us occupied while we wait, and there's plenty here to fill in the time. For the most part, Little Wing might be considered more of the same from Ottmar Liebert & Luna Negra XL, but given the standard they've set, more of the same just means that much more excellence.

Track List:

Agua Fria (Cold Water) * Little Wing * The Girl From Ipanema * Interlude #1: Longing * Like Water 4 The Desert (Rain Montuno) * Paint It Black * Untitled (La Noche) * Interlude #2: Driving * Kashmir * Angel: Omnia Bona Bonis (4 Kelly) * The Pearl * Interlude #3: Leaving * Daylight Melody * Yarrow: Snaky Desert Guitar * Spirit Cafe (4 My Mother)

© 2001 - Shaun Dale