Al Di Meola – Elegant Gypsy (Full Album)

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Elegant Gypsy is the second album by American jazz fusion guitarist Al Di Meola. It was released in 1977 by Columbia Records.

Elegant Gypsy won an annual award for Best Guitar Album in Guitar Player Magazine.

“Guitarist Al di Meola’s second record as a leader is generally an explosive affair, although it does have a fair amount of variety. With Jan Hammer or Barry Miles on keyboards, electric bassist Anthony Jackson, drummer Lenny White (Steve Gadd takes his place on the “Elegant Gypsy Suite”), and percussionist Mingo Lewis on most of the selections, di Meola shows off his speedy and rock-ish fusion style. He was still a member of Return to Forever at the time and was a stronger guitarist than the composer, but di Meola did put a lot of thought into this music. The brief “Lady of Rome, Sister of Brazil” (an acoustic guitar solo) and “Mediterranean Sundance” (an acoustic duet with fellow guitarist Paco de Lucía) hints at di Meola’s future directions. A near classic in the fusion vein.” – Scott Yanow/AllMusic.

Track listing:
All songs by Al Di Meola unless otherwise noted.

Side 1
1. “Flight Over Rio” (Mingo Lewis) 7:16
2. “Midnight Tango” 7:28
3. “Mediterranean Sundance” 5:14
Side 2
4. “Race with Devil on Spanish Highway” 6:18
5. “Lady of Rome, Sister of Brazil” 1:46
6. “Elegant Gypsy Suite” 9:16

Personnel:
Al Di Meola – guitar, piano, synthesizer, percussion
Paco de Lucía – guitar
Jan Hammer – keyboards
Barry Miles – keyboards
Anthony Jackson – bass guitar
Steve Gadd – drums
Lenny White – drums
Mingo Lewis – congas, synthesizers, organ, percussion

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Released: April 1977
Recorded: December 1976-January 1977
Length: 37:00
Label: Columbia
Producer: Al Di Meola