Award-winning Latin Guitarist Johannes Linstead and multi-platinum selling Flautist Nicholas Gunn collaborate on this highly inspired album of original songs. Johannes masterful guitar work combined with Nicholas passion... more »ate flute create an atmosphere that is at once engaging, powerful, and sublime, and yet at times, hauntingly beautiful. Together they have accomplished a new found level of brilliance, an album that is sure to make its mark as a masterful accomplishment.« less
Award-winning Latin Guitarist Johannes Linstead and multi-platinum selling Flautist Nicholas Gunn collaborate on this highly inspired album of original songs. Johannes masterful guitar work combined with Nicholas passionate flute create an atmosphere that is at once engaging, powerful, and sublime, and yet at times, hauntingly beautiful. Together they have accomplished a new found level of brilliance, an album that is sure to make its mark as a masterful accomplishment.
CD Reviews
Enchantingly Beautiful Music
Buffalo Bill | The Woodlands, TX USA | 10/01/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Oh man, what a CD. Everytime I buy one of Johannes Linstead's CDs I think it can't get any better. But this newest CD is absolutely wonderful music. The combination of guitar and flute is intoxicating. The wife and I have it on all the time and happily dance around the house as if we are suspended on a cloud in some far off place. The sound quality on my all McIntosh stereo system is fantastic!"
Decent craftsmanship, but disappointing
cavetroll | Washington, DC United States | 02/27/2008
(3 out of 5 stars)
"I am a big fan of Linstead and of new-age flamenco in general (Cook, Armik, Govi, etc.). Linstead's work on his previous albums has been stellar and yet somehow, to me, "Encanto" feels almost monotonous. It lacks the effervescence and inspiration of his previous work (compare, for instance, the scintillating Zambuca). This is not to say the music is in any way bad - simply not as inspired as his other pieces. It's as if the composition was mechanical - like his mind was elsewhere and he simply reused old ideas.
Bottom line - the cd is good, certainly makes great light listening, and has a few truly enjoyable pieces which show Linstead's almost-full flair. But for the serious fan, this composition feels weaker than the others."
His next gem, and this gem is as lovely as ever
John Rossi | Somers Point, NJ United States | 04/28/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"For me this CD is, simply put, yet another jewel in Johannes Linstead's crown. The collaboration with flautist Nicholas Gunn has given birth to ten beautiful new tracks that effortlessly evoke different moods and places from the laid back and lovely (Costa De La Luz) to the playful (Island Song) to the firey (Encanto, Terre De Oro). To me, Ocaso and Rhyme of the Ancient Forest feel and sound distinctly Peruvian while Island Song has a Calypso feel, and Magic City evokes a Middle Eastern feel.
The title track, Encanto, captures the fire of flamenco perfectly, with great keyboard work dancing wonderfully with Johannes' peerless guitar skill. To The Sea feels like the energetic voyage depicted by the title. I love all of the tracks, but my favorite is "Morning Star that alternates beuatifully between a heart-stirring slow opening and a driving middle passage. The dance between fast and slow in this pieece alone makes it worth the purchase of this CD.
While I don't go through the CD track by track as I sometimes do, please rest assured of my fondness for this piece of work. Johannes Linstead has consistently produced beautiful musical jewels, and Encanto is no different in that regard. With Encanto, Johannes Linstead and Nicholas Gunn have cread a truly magical and special CD that you cannot go wrong with. I love this CD, and I cannot wait to hear what Johannes Linstead will bring to us next. God willing, I will love it just as much as I love Encanto, if not more."
Enchanting Exotic Mystical Fresh
C. Challe | Paris | 12/13/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Fabulous album from beginning to end..Both of these musicians have reached their best sound so far in their careers! Forget their earlier works, this is the one to have!"
Lovely sounds
Saralee Etter | 04/20/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I first heard this music on someone's MySpace site, and really liked it right away. It's peaceful and fun to listen to. Intricate melodies (at least that's what it seems like to me) with the guitar and flute twining around each other make these songs worth listening to on their own.
Track Listings (10) - Disc #1