Kiss My Axe

• Artist: Al di Meola
• Rating:
• Release Date: 1988 09 24-1991 05
• Total Time: 65:01
• Type: Instrumental
• Genre: Jazz

Review

Despite the aggression its title implies, Kiss My Axe is the work of a softer, more reflective Al di Meola, who had become greatly influenced by Pat Metheny's subtle lyricism, but still had a very recognizable and distinctive sound. Di Meola's new approach was perfectly summarized when, in 1991, he told Jazz Times he wanted to be "enchanted" by the music instead of dazzling listeners with his considerable chops. Di Meola still has fine technique, but avoids overwhelming us with it, and shows more restraint than before. One thing that remains is the guitarist's strong interest in world music -- this imaginative session liberally incorporates Latin influences (Brazilian, Spanish, Peruvian and Afro-Cuban) as well as Middle Eastern and African elements. In that Jazz Times interview, di Meola explained that this CD's title resulted in part from his frustration over the fact that many labels and commercial radio stations were choosing bloodless "elevator muzak" over more adventurous fusion. Consistently rewarding, Axe makes it clear that di Meola did the right thing by refusing to compromise. ~ Alex Henderson, All Music Guide

Tracks

Track Title	Composers	Performers	Time
South Bound Traveler	Barry Miles	Al di Meola	(5:22)
The Embrace	Al di Meola	Al di Meola	(5:49)
Kiss My Axe	Al di Meola	Al di Meola	(5:04)
Morocco	Al di Meola	Al di Meola	(7:41)
Gigi's Playtime Rhyme (Interlude #1)	Al di Meola	Al di Meola	(2:36)
One Night Last June	Al di Meola	Al di Meola	(8:19)
Phantom	Chick Corea	Al di Meola	(7:53)
Erotic Interlude (Interlude #2)	Al di Meola	Al di Meola	(2:32)
Global Safari	Al di Meola	Al di Meola	(5:42)
Interlude #3	Al di Meola	Al di Meola	(1:59)
Purple Orchids	Al di Meola	Al di Meola	(6:45)
The Prophet (Interlude #4)	Al di Meola	Al di Meola	(1:18)
Oriana (September 24, 1988)	Al di Meola	Al di Meola	(5:19)

Credits

Omar Hakim (Drums), Barry Miles (Synthesizer), Barry Miles (Piano), Barry Miles (Arranger), Barry Miles (Programming), Barry Miles (Handclapping), Barry Miles (Producer), Barry Miles (Synclavier), Rachel Z (Synthesizer), Al di Meola (Guitar (Acoustic)), Al di Meola (Guitar), Al di Meola (Arranger), Al di Meola (Cymbals), Al di Meola (Guitar (Electric)), Al di Meola (Tabla), Al di Meola (Handclapping), Al di Meola (Producer), Al di Meola (Main Performer), Al di Meola (Performer), Victor Deyglio (Assistant Engineer), Frank Filipetti (Engineer), Dante Gioia (Assistant Engineer), Milton Glaser (Design), Anthony Jackson (Bass (Electric)), Anthony Jackson (Clarinet (Contrabass)), Anthony Jackson (?), Bob Ludwig (Mastering), Mark Mason (Assistant Engineer), Richie Morales (Drums), Gumbi Ortiz (Conga), Tony Scherr (Bass), Tony Scherr (Bass (Electric)), Tony Scherr (Bass (Acoustic)), Arto Tuncboyaciyan (Percussion), Arto Tuncboyaciyan (Bongos), Arto Tuncboyaciyan (Voices), Arto Tuncboyaciyan (Bata), Bill Milkowski (Liner Notes), David Palmer (Engineer), Kip Kaplan (Executive Producer), Gumbi Oritz (Conga), Gumbi Oritz (Handclapping), Gumbi Oritz (Bata), Vittorio Zammarano (Engineer), Dan Mockensturm (Engineer), Alia Jordan (Model), Todd Carpenter (Assistant Engineer), Henry Wolf (Photography)