Heat

Oscar Lopez's brand of nouveau flamenco (for want of a better term) pushes the nylon-string classical guitar beyond its physical boundaries. Heat is similar in sound to the albums of Ottmar Liebert, exploding with Latin and flamenco dance rhythms, yet never losing the definition of guitar fingering and melody. Lopez plays both lead and backup guitars, plus some percussion on some tracks, but the dubbed mix has the animal-edge of a live recording. Heat begins with "Forgive Me," with its churning samba-type beat; the lyrical melody rides the beat like with the grace of gauchos racing across the plains. "Thinking of You" floats on a smoother rhythm, while "Sentimiento" slows the pace even more; whatever the cadence, Lopez's guitar work is impeccable. "Fire and Fury" is an emotional flamenco piece that begins suspensefully, and grows into a dynamic dance, supported by palmas, voice, and castanets. "Flight of the Flamingo" is another flamenco-based piece that develops at a more sultry cadence. "My Heart in Rio" gently expresses the romantic and the lyrical. Lopez's solo guitar work, fluid yet precise, is showcased on "Step by Step." Percussion, electric and acoustic bass, drums, piano, keyboards, and palmas complete Lopez's hot ensemble.