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A gentle 'Sultan's Dream' may perk up thanks to Efrain Toro's percussion and co-producer Rick Braun's trumpet, while a lilting 'Dance With You' goes down like a smooth Corona. Gypsy Boogaloo may take some getting used to, but it's one of the best exotic musical dishes of the early '90s. "The guitar and gypsy violin odd couple's debut -- which made a huge splash on both new age and world music charts -- fuses metric changes and melodic intricacies (not to mention sweetness) into an eclectic package that set world music on its ear and continued to do so years later. 'The Lonely Camel' haunts as easily as 'Allegria' and 'Refrus' energize. ~ Jonathan Widran, All Music Guide" Willie Royal (violin) and Wolfgang Fink (acoustic guitar) are about as different an act as instrumental music offered in the '90s, with stunning flamenco styled playing (they met playing at a bar in Puerto Vallarta) and lively yet unpredictable swings. While Fink is a great acoustic player, Royal seems to redefine violin playing in a style unlike any other major artist, including Jean Luc Ponty.
Willie & Lobo are in a class all their own. I would have sent the album back but my sister was visiting, loved it, so I gave it to her. Don't buy this if you already have the original. I didn't do my homework and assumed this was new stuff. Much of the album is the same as the Puerto Vallarta Squeeze, my original introduction to Willie & Lobo.
All music is instrumental except for one track where voices are electronically distorted and fused with violin. Every track is beautifully crafted. The combination of flamenco guitar, violin, the occassional harmonica, and other ethnic instruments create an atmosphere of mystery.
What a combination. Willie Royal can play a violin that tugs at your heart; he can immitate sounds in nature with the touch of a string. Lobo layers the music with depth and vitality.
I enjoy it immensely and look forward to more of it in the future. This music is so unique and intriguing. It is truly one-of-a-kind.
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