JOHANNES LINSTEAD
Kiss the Earth
(p) (c) 2000 Real Music
11tks/48mins

All the Real Music albums, which I have reviewed last time, where so dull and uninteresting, that it seemed to me, that this respectable label having lost its leading musicians, can not release at present anything being worthy its past "diamonds", which undoubtedly were albums by Govi, Mars Lasar and Nicholas Gunn, released just a couple of years ago. It seemed to me that the company is already dead, and there is no life and fire in the music released by this label.

But when I listened to the album by Johannes Linstead, I was just amazed! This music is full of life, this is a real volcano of passion and fire. This is a flight of self-expression, containing perfect arrangements. Of course, I do not mention the sound design by the Real Music, which always was on the highest level. With that the Linstead's music has one wonderful feature. It fascinates you, and the more you listen to this sparkly melodies, the more you wish to hear them again and again. With every new listening this music shows you its new sides, and now they are playing in the sun with all the rainbow colors...

One can say that Johannes Linstead plays traditional flamenco. But a young Canadian guitarist has his own style, and passion and living force, gushing out in his music, can be compared to the creative work of another guitarist, who had his debut not long ago - Jesse Cook. Besides, Kiss the Earth is the second album by Johannes Linstead, which was released after the last-year release Sol Luna Tierra, which was warmly welcomed by the listeners.

What more can I say about this music, where flamenco is interwoven with Caribbean rhythms and South-African melodies? It contains lightness and flight of inspiration. In the performing of Linstead are mastery and accuracy of expression, characteristic to the perfect guitarist, and besides, an improvisational origin is felt in his music.

But the main thing is that it contains energy and some wilderness. This music is not limited by any frames and burdens. While listening to it, one can feel that the artist simply celebrates life. And so, it is not occasional that together with traditional thanks to the family and friends the artist expresses his gratitude to Lao Tsi, Buddha and Master Osho...

This music will not leave you dispassionate and will surely lift up your mood!

Serge Kozlovsky