AL DI MEOLA — Scenario (review)

AL DI MEOLA — Scenario album cover Album · 1983 · Fusion Buy this album from MMA partners
1.5/5 ·
Sean Trane
Don’t be fooled by the prestigious line-up announced on the inside sleeve, Bruford, Collins and Levin appear on only one track each, the rest being just the ADM and Jan Hammer duo sharing all the instrumentation. While not a bad album per se, Scenario is plagued by the usual stinking 80’s flaws that include weak/shitty synth sound (sorry Jan), bad synthetic beats and a general lack of good songwriting. Clearly ADM is now in the complete routine part of his career, recording one album after another, without actually really investing himself as much as a few years back. This album could easily match some of the weaker ECM releases of the era, but even then, this is not really bad, either.

The duo develops a highly synthesized music, ADM even using a Roland Guitar synth, and the music is often reminiscent of Jan Hammer’s hit soundtrack of that idiotic Miami Vice TV series (you know, the one where cops drives Ferraris and Garden Dwarf Collins will make a “memorable appearance”) and others softer jazz gizmos. The tracks where the three guests appears are not really much different than the rest of the album either. Although not a true stinker of an album, it is best avoided by everyone, especially Mr Bruford!

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