Don’t let the fact that acoustic guitarist Lawson Rollins is usually categorized under “Smooth” or “World” music dissuade you from getting into his music. Just what is music that ISN’T “World” music anyway? “Alien” music? If you mean that he doesn’t do cacophonic solos, or meandering indulgent 10 minute forays into navel gazing string work, well, that’s fine. But, what you get here are twelve originals that have cooking little Mediterranean and Iberian moods, and his chops are as good as you can find on anything by Coryell.
He’s teamed himself with a cooking little rhythm team of Dominic Camardella/key, Dave Bryant/dr/perc, and Randy Tico/b, and together they gel through tight and exciting pieces like “Momentum” and the flamenco inflected “Point of Attraction.” He shows some tasty chops on the intricate “Bloom” and can be as flowing as drapes on a breezy day on the title track. Here and there he adds some woodwinds by Richard Hardy, and on the velvety “Promise” his fret work is lusciously framed by Charlie Bisharat’s strings. Accessible, but just as inspiring as anything you’ll here this side of Metheny.
Infinita Records