Lex Vandyke - Historia De Un Amor (2005) [SACD]

These instrumental performances by guitarist Lex Vandyke concentrate on guitar interpretations of Latin-American tunes and songs. The relationship between Latin America and the guitar is a long-standing and important one: the instrument came to Latin America with the Spanish conquerors and, when mixed with other musical elements notably those of African origin became crucial to many of the major styles of Latin music. Given the guitar's roots both in North American Arab culture, and in the ancient music of Egypt (as well the persistence of its relatives in sub-Saharan African cultures), there may be no coincidence in the fact that the music of West African slaves and Spanish folk and classical guitar styles mingled in such exciting and productive ways in the Latin-music favorites featured on this collection.