Phil Dirt - Reverb Central - PO Box 1609, Felton, CA 95018-1609 USA  | If there's just one word for this CD, it's Adventure. This is a superbly produced CD, not just in sound, but in arranging and writing and playing. The music is very engaging and very good! Highly recommended! |
Picks: Sun & Sand, Sandstorm!, Cordoba, El Caliph, Burning Mirage, Rogue Wave, The Secret Route, Desert Drums, Ricochet, Crescent Moon, Across The Dunes, Express To Baghdad, The Oasis
Track by Track Review
Surf (Instrumental)
"Sun & Sand" is a lush minute-long guitar vision of things to come. Very pretty.
Surf (Instrumental)
Prepare to rock! "Sandstorm!" is a stunning piece of music with a heavy rhythm and great energy. The impeccable playing and production deliver this hard driving song with all the panache required. Great!
Surf (Instrumental)
Infectious rhythms and thundering bass support a wonderful melody. Fire and danger, and abundant adventure. There's mystery and risk, and high adventure over every dune. Thoroughly cool!
Surf (Instrumental)
Great tribal drums, the rhythm of "Mar Gaya," and a dark Middle Eastern melody line that portrays danger. This chunky and very cool track commands your attention from every angle. Wonderful!
Surf (Instrumental)
Immense spunk and traveling adventure are evident in every dramatic bar of "Burning Mirage." The muted surf rhythm is superb!
Surf (Instrumental)
With the stinging fire of the Atlantics, "Rogue Wave" rocks and churns, relentlessly carrying you off to the that hazardous perfect ride. Intense, powerful, and fiery!
Surf (Instrumental)
Haunting and somewhat ominous, "The Secret Route" tells a tale of a journey fraught with risk and adventure. Bing and visual, with drama and intense emotional content.
Surf (Instrumental)
The drums rock, the guitars rule, and the bass thunders. Highly infectious, "Desert Drums" virtually drags you out to your roadster for a drive down highway 1. What a fine track. It's thoroughly enjoyable and full of fire.
Surf (Instrumental)
The circular riffs of "Ricochet" call on Gypsy moodiness and the Atlantics' spunk. Big drama, open space, and a panoramic visual sense. This is a huge and commanding piece of music.
Surf (Instrumental)
Softly painting a landscape of desert mystery and intrigue, the rhythm and lead guitar compliment each other very well. Big drama in the cymbals, and a soft moodiness in the bass. Very richly arranged.
Surf (Instrumental)
Once past the intro, "Across The Dunes" becomes a raucous and galloping number with a very engaging sound. On first listen, it draws you into its clutches. A great arrangement, great writing, and solid playing here!
Surf (Instrumental)
This is an Atlantics' song carried to its logical conclusion. Wonderful drums, big panoramic sound, sweeping energy, and a haunting sense. "Express To Baghdad" is very well adapted to the Madeira's sound, yet remains very complimentary to the original.
Surf (Instrumental)
Softly delicate, "The Oasis" slowly moves across a sunset dune, giving a warming but distant view of a small group of palms. It's a very pretty song.