MEDITERRANEA

The notion of flamenco music approached in a polite, genteel manner may sound inherently contradictory to some, but Canadian-born guitarist Johannes Linstead accomplishes the task with admirable grace and poise. As with his four previous recordings, Linstead's Mediterranea is short on the fire, sweat, and florid technique found in the work of Jesse Cook and other nouveau flamenco contemporaries. Instead, Linstead leans more on heart, melodicism, and adroit fingering to craft a lively yet dignified sound that, while perhaps tame to some ears, elevates his instrumentals beyond simple easy-listening fare. Linstead (Spanish guitar, bouzouki, keyboards) is an accomplished player (for evidence, consider his energized licks on "Sangre del Toro") whose arrangements create a colorful, accessible sound well-suited to listeners with a taste for what could be termed "smooth flamenco." Two notable tracks, in fact, lean a bit further than usual toward the pop spectrum: "Adelita," a warm, lovely piece he dedicates to his mother, and the sun-warmed "Tabu." A pleasant listen. --Terry Wood