Brazilian guitarist Carlos Barbosa-Lima, who first studied with classical guitar master Andres Segovia, has been honing his technique for over four decades. His crisp acoustic tones and fluid soloing blend classical precision with street-dancing cool. On his 26th recording, "Frenesi," the audiophile quality of the recording allows the full range of his acoustic technique to resonate on a superb collection of South American music.
For this recording, he is backed by bass, percussion and the four-stringed Venezuelan cuatro guitar. The interlocking rhythmic patterns these three create lift Barbosa-Lima's masterful guitar styling to a sublime level. The songs -- which range from a Tom Jobim bossa nova to Mexican waltz to gently swaying rumba, and some of which are from South America's most esteemed composers -- spring to life while maintaining authenticty.
Barbosa-Lima's brilliant guitar playing rests easily in the percussive swing of these tunes. However, his harmonics, rhythmic flow and breathtaking lines never overwhelm, but move gracefully. For guitar purists, "Frenesi" offers a study of guitar virtuousity. For others, though, the fullness of sentiment and depth of rhythmic intensity are a pleasure in themselves.
