San
Francisco-based Lawson Rollins fell in love with classical Spanish
guitar as a teenager and became addicted to this instrument from this
time. His specialty is Latin guitar fusion. Together with Daniel
Young he founded the duo Young & Rollins. They incorporate salsa,
samba, Latin jazz, Bossa Nova, blues, classical and flamenco to an
unique amalgam.
Lawson comments his new album: "I had a vision
of what I wanted from the beginning, but over time, and through the
contributions from my guest artists, the project took on a life of its
own,” explained Rollins. “There is a profound cross-cultural
connection in the ancestry of the modern Spanish guitar to earlier
instruments like the Arabic oud, the Persian tar and even the Indian
sitar. Bringing these styles together is like returning to the roots
of the guitar.” With multi-instrumentalists Shain Shahida (Shahin & Sepher)
and Dominic Camardella, percussion legend Moreira, Afghan vocalist
Humayun Khan, Azerbaijani kamanche master Imamyar Hassanov and Pejman
Hadidi on tombak, violinist Charlie Bisharat, bassist Randy Tico,
trumpeter Jeff Elliot and drummer-percussionist Dave Bryant in
addition to a string orchestra in Prague Lawson Rollins found a great
accompany by worldwide musicians.
The album starts with Cafe Jobim featuring Brazilian chanteuse
Flora Purim. Flora is best-known by her work in the jazz fusion style
performing with Chick Corea (Return to Forever), Stanley Clarke, Dizzy
Gillespie, Gil Evans, Stan Getz, the Grateful Dead, Santana, Jaco
Pastorius, and her husband Airto Moreira. George Duke: "Flora is one
of those rare talents that truly understand how to phrase lyrics and
melody. She can swing - and she can sing!"
Echoes Of Madrid is influenced by the
Andalusian Flamenco style. A melting of Lawson's guitar and Charlie
Bisharat's violin to a higher instrumental essence. Grammy awarded
Bisharat has already performed with the who-is-who of the music
business like Tears For Fears, The Rolling Stones, Barry Manilow, John
Tesh and a lot more. In Motion is a tune of ultimate softness.
Lawson treats his guitar with mastership. Dave Bryant's
percussion-adds get to the heart of the melody.
On The Awakening Humayun Khan is featuring his instrument, the
kamanche. The kamanche is a Persian bowed spike fiddle related to the
violin. This instrument gives the tune its oriental flair. Infinita
is the a warm Bossa Nova with typical Brazilian charisma incorporated
in Flora Purims' vocals and Lawson's brilliant guitar performance.
Southwind is a good example for Lawson broad scale of different
expressions. From classic Spanish style to Western style and sometimes
a little bit banjo.
But foremost Lawson is the master of the Spanish
guitar which he impressing proves on Through The Night.
Ceremony reveals more about the character of the kamanche
delicately accompanied by Lawson's acoustic guitar. Raga is the Indian
description of mood referring to melodic modes used in Indian
classical music. New World Raga is Lawson's personal
contribution and the substrate of his Indian experience.
Streets Of San Miguel is the musical
mirror of a lively town in Mexico, a vibrant community with a
family-oriented culture. Final tune is
For JoAnn, a declaration of love to Lawson's wife. Lawson shows
that heartfelt melody and virtuosity are no differences.
Lawson's album Infinita is a must for
serious lovers of the acoustic guitar.
