Phil Dirt - Reverb Central - PO Box 1609, Felton, CA 95018-1609 USA Miles Corbin - Musique de Paradiso
 | Miles Corbin has done it again. This as yet unreleased CD has all the liquid glaze of a crystalline lagoon, the emotions of a romantic episode, the lushness of exotic environs, and more. Stunningly beautiful guitar and melodies, with more romance and summer shower smells than anything I've every heard before. If MJQ, Jerry Garcia, and Enio Morricone held the same pen, it would be slightly less powerful than the writing on this disc.
It's not a surf album per say, though the aquatic feel is unmistakable. This is simply a stunning romance of stick and string. |
Picks: Graciella Of The Dunes, Akumal, Gringo Hangs Ten, Lost In The Blue Lagoon Of Her Eyes, Beguine Ala Bond, Vaya Con Dios, Arrivaderchi, Italiano Surf Carnival, Bonga Tonga And Her String Of Pearls, Leila Dreaming, Francis Holds Sophie In The Courtyard, Graciella Revisited, Hangin' Low In Paradise, Exotica Bloom
Track by Track Review
Italian Mood (Instrumental)
Miles Corbin plays solo like the water flows directly from his guitar. The dribble delicate double picked Italian lines and long soft bass notes give this a Venice evening feel. Delicate and very suave! "Graciella Of The Dunes" is a lushly silky song that gets right to the ladies' hearts. I say that with some credentials. There's an immigrant Russian television newswoman in the radio class I teach that went all limp on just one hearing.
Exotic Mood (Instrumental)
An exotic Miles Corbin melody in the "Night In Paamul" vein, "Akumal" is a stunningly pretty piece. It moves like a romancer for tourists with no worries at all. Incredibly pretty.
Exotic Surf (Instrumental)
Haunting flute, spaghetti western themes, rich guitar tones, lounge percussion... "Gringo Hangs Ten" is a beautiful track with fluid echoed guitar and smooth bass. Exotic and aquatic. Excellent.
Lost In The Blue Lagoon Of Her Eyes Afternoon Mood (Instrumental)
You can imagine how romantic this is just from the title. Slow and silky, echoed afternoon showers, sinewy lagoon sound, and delicate precision. A fine track.
French Mood (Instrumental)
The mystique of French Morocco, spies just around the corner, distant contraband caravans, and humid summer rain... what an amazing scene setter this is. It belongs in a film.
Exotic Surf (Instrumental)
My, what a beautiful thing this is. Spanish, gentle, haunting, and very fluid. The chords are so delicate... stunning. Images of departures from distant tropical villages and gentle forest rains. Liquid suave.
Italian Mood (Instrumental)
Soft keys and airy flutes accompany this spatial and eerie track. The MJQ vibes is an interesting effect under the misty melody line. makes you wanna dim the lights. In some ways, it reminds me of the airy melodic-symphonic bridge in Premiata Fourneria Marconi's "Celebration."
Surf Mood (Instrumental)
Subtle Italian drama, pasta drying in the setting sun, and lush relaxed moods... a beautiful and surfable track with stunning delicacy. Small waves lap at the shore of an ancient villa on the Mediterranean. Very cool!
Bonga Tonga And Her String Of Pearls Indian Mood (Instrumental)
Harmonics and airy sustain in an atmospheric wash, with the essence of India peaking out from behind her sarong. And just where does she wear those pearls?
Island Mood (Instrumental)
Wow... what a stunning track. Similar in impact to "Hawaiian Blue," "Leila Dreaming" is lush and islandic, with soft bass and atmospheric reverb. Pure delight!
Francis Holds Sophie In The Courtyard Jungle Mood (Instrumental)
Cool jazz and tropical green drape the soundscape of "Francis Holds Sophie In The Courtyard" with evening perfume. Slow and silky, with sensuality.
Evening Mood (Instrumental)
Another way to view Graciella... it's liquid guitar lines and mid tempo Italian restaurant romance are picture perfect for that end of a perfect day scene in that European vacation film.
Hypnotica Mood (Instrumental)
Like King Of Hawaii lushed out with MJQ ("Space" period Modern Jazz Quintet) vibes and Kraftwerk percussion... quite a groovy and hypnotic track.
Psychedelic Mood (Instrumental)
This is a long drink of water at the end of a desert stroll, a misty pleasure of breathy psychedelic exotica, a mystical adventure through a San Francisco night. Amazing!