Splendido Hotel
Al Di Meola · 1980
68 min · 11 tracks · jazz
A vibrant fusion of jazz and world music, weaving intricate guitar lines with rich orchestral textures.
Top tracks — play these first
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Alien Chase on Arabian Desert — Opening with an energetic blend of rhythmic complexity and Middle Eastern influences, this track sets the tone for the album's adventurous spirit.
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Silent Story in Her Eyes — This piece showcases Di Meola's lyrical guitar phrasing and intricate melodic development, encapsulating the emotional depth present throughout the album.
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Dinner Music of the Gods — An expansive composition that intertwines intricate melodies with lush arrangements, exemplifying Di Meola's ability to fuse technical prowess with storytelling.
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Isfahan — Named after the Persian city, this track draws upon world music elements and demonstrates Di Meola's mastery of blending genres within a cohesive structure.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
InstrumentalThe album showcases intricate compositions and skilled performances, blending jazz and world influences effectively.
What we noticed
- The album features complex guitar solos that often intertwine with orchestral arrangements, creating a rich tapestry of sound.
- Several tracks incorporate world music elements, such as Middle Eastern scales and rhythms, particularly evident in 'Alien Chase on Arabian Desert'.
- The tempo varies significantly across the tracks, with some pieces like 'Roller Jubilee' maintaining a brisk pace while others, like 'Bianca’s Midnight Lullaby', slow down to create contrast.
- Composition 25% of the score
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8/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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7/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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8/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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6/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- dynamic journey with peaks
- intricate guitar-driven storytelling
- cinematic soundscapes for reflection
- immersive late-night listening
- playful moments with rhythmic shifts
Maybe skip if you
- prefer straightforward, instant gratification
- avoid lengthy, exploratory compositions
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Breakthrough — Further popularized jazz fusion and established Di Meola's reputation.
- Career context
- By the time 'Splendido Hotel' was released in May 1980, Al Di Meola had already established himself as a leading figure in jazz fusion with his work on the groundbreaking 'Chick Corea's Return to Forever'. This album followed his successful solo debut 'Land of the Midnight Sun' (1976) and represented a continued evolution in his musical exploration, showcasing his virtuosic guitar skills and innovative compositional style.
- Stylistic neighbors
- John McLaughlin· Pat Metheny· Chick Corea
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Alien Chase on Arabian Desert 8:58
- 2 Silent Story in Her Eyes 7:35
- 3 Roller Jubilee 4:43
- 4 Two to Tango 4:13
- 5 Al Di’s Dream Theme 6:50
- 6 Dinner Music of the Gods 8:33
- 7 Splendido Sundance 4:51
- 8 I Can Tell 4:01
- 9 Spanish Eyes 5:11
- 10 Isfahan 11:35
- 11 Bianca’s Midnight Lullaby 1:54
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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