Guitar virtuoso Lawson Rollins assembles an all-star cast of musicians on his acclaimed world music album, Infinita. Soaring guitar work and lush instrumentation compliment the original compositions, which draw from an ecl... more »ectic mix of Latin and Middle Eastern influences woven together with Rollins' Spanish-tinged guitar style. Featuring the legendary Brazilian singer Flora Purim and percussion superstar Airto Moreira as well as producer/musician Shahin Shahida of the popular group Shahin & Sepehr, multi-platinum producer Dominic Camardella, Grammy winning violinist Charlie Bisharat, bassist Randy Tico, trumpet player Jeff Elliot and drummer Davo Bryant, among others.Here's what reviewers are saying:'Rollins seduces in so many ways that it's almost unfair.' - Guitar Player Magazine'Skilled and graceful fusion.' - Global Rhythm Magazine'Easily one of the year's best'. - All About Jazz'A masterful genre-busting collection of Latin, Indian, Persian, Arabic, South American and European sounds.' - All Music Guide'From every standpoint - the playing, the compositions, the production - this is a beautifully executed album of evocative guitar music.' - Vintage Guitar Magazine« less
Guitar virtuoso Lawson Rollins assembles an all-star cast of musicians on his acclaimed world music album, Infinita. Soaring guitar work and lush instrumentation compliment the original compositions, which draw from an eclectic mix of Latin and Middle Eastern influences woven together with Rollins' Spanish-tinged guitar style. Featuring the legendary Brazilian singer Flora Purim and percussion superstar Airto Moreira as well as producer/musician Shahin Shahida of the popular group Shahin & Sepehr, multi-platinum producer Dominic Camardella, Grammy winning violinist Charlie Bisharat, bassist Randy Tico, trumpet player Jeff Elliot and drummer Davo Bryant, among others.Here's what reviewers are saying:'Rollins seduces in so many ways that it's almost unfair.' - Guitar Player Magazine'Skilled and graceful fusion.' - Global Rhythm Magazine'Easily one of the year's best'. - All About Jazz'A masterful genre-busting collection of Latin, Indian, Persian, Arabic, South American and European sounds.' - All Music Guide'From every standpoint - the playing, the compositions, the production - this is a beautifully executed album of evocative guitar music.' - Vintage Guitar Magazine
"This is a must-have album - truly a world music extravaganza! Anyone who has seen Rollins's video performance of the Fire Cadenza knows he has incredible technical command of the guitar. This album showcases his equally impressive skill as a composer and producer. The ensemble performances are amazing and the songwriting is consistently top-notch throughout."
SmoothJazz.com Review
Sandy Shore | Monterey, CA | 08/15/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"INFINITA is calling my name... I think it's calling yours too. A warm, sun washed, Spanish-infused guitar collection of tunes complemented by an all-star ensemble of internationally renowned musicians. It's impossible to resist the ethnically diverse grooves that drive Lawson Rollins' new multi-cultural solo debut (available May 20th). You may know the virtuoso guitarist from his acclaimed work with the Latin group Young & Rollins. INFINITA features musicians from the Middle East, South America, Europe and the United States, including the legendary Brazilian singer Flora Purim, Persian-American producer/musician Shahin Shahida (Shahin & Sepehr), multi-platinum selling producer Dominic Camardella (Ottmar Liebert) and Grammy winning violinist Charlie Bisharat among others. This outstanding album is a richly decorated tapestry of jazz and World Music. Honestly, this project sneaks around the walls of both genres, pushing the boundaries even further. There's such great depth to all eleven tracks, don't be surprised if INFINITA takes up permanent residence in your car CD player or dominates the Most Played list on your iPod. From the loungey, "Café Jobim" featuring Purim, to the rich groove of "In Motion," to the cinematic, Middle Eastern-influenced "New World Raga," Lawson Rollins carves out his solo place in the eclectic world of nu music."
This guy shreds
S. Stevens | Phil, PA | 07/23/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"
I had never heard of Lawson Rollins and mostly listened to punk and heavy metal, but this record blew me away. Face-shredding riffs that put Kirk Hammett, J. Mascis and the Kirkwood Brothers to shame. And the guy look like a tank, too. Check out his video on youtube. Really, this guy is so talented that it is unfair, it really is. His musicianship, though, never overwhelms his ability to put forth some bold tunes. Damn. This is fine stuff."
An intricate tapestry of melodic riches
E. Karasik | Washington, DC United States | 05/23/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Full disclosure: I am a friend of the artist. But see for yourself how lovely the tunes are on this finely wrought CD. The overall quality of the musicians and the arrangements is stellar, and the diverse sounds are unified by the incredible speed, rich timbre, and fluidity of Rollins's guitar playing. The haunting title track is destined to be a classic, and I am also partial to the Arabic flavor of New World Raga, but the whole CD is a joy to the ears!"
Track Listings (11) - Disc #1
