Rodrigo Y Gabriela Title: 11:11 Label: ATO Records Year: 2009 Rating: 4.5/ 5

Arpeggios, pentantonic scales, sweeps, flamenco, classical, finger picking, harmonics, hammer-ons, oh my! If all of those guitar styles rolled into one over two simultaneous acoustics playing latin infused flamenco style guitars don’t make you drool, then I don’t know. The musical capacity of this Mexican guitar-duo is extraordinary in sound and in substance. Paying respects to their influences while putting their personal touches to the music, Rodrigo Y Gabriela are the quintessential guitar duo that have brought this style of music back to the forefront. The album, 11:11 is a personal thanks from Rod & Gab to those who have inspired them along the way. Some of the heroes who got a personalized thanks from Rod & Gab are Santana, Dimebag Darrell, Jimi Hendrix, Michel Camilo, Astor Piazzola, Paco De Lucia and Pink Floyd. Still no guest vocals or any vocals at all for that matter like their previous effort, the 11 song acoustic guitar masterpiece is a stunning piece of work that is not only awe-inspiring but also a magnificent feat by these two virtuosos. The song arrangements are complex in nature but melody filled and musically tangible in every aspect. Songs like “Hanuman,” “Santo Domingo,” “Hora Zero,” and “Atman,” translate the duo’s inclined guitar virtuosity in all of it’s bare glory. “Buster Voodoo,” which is a thank you to guitar god Jimi Hendrix, is the most accesibly tenacious track off the record and is my personal favorite so far off this album. The production quality of this record also adds weight to the music for being clear, concise and uncluttered. It’s been 3 years since the release of their previous effort and to this day, it finds it’s way onto regular rotation; that’s how good that album is and 11:11 may equally be as good, if not, better. Rodrigo’s melodic riffs are to die for, his up and down runs off the fretboard are clean and fast, his adlibs are brilliant and his speed picking is absolutely majestic. Gabriela’s gold standard strumming is definitely superbly superior, she has a keen sense of fused dynamics and her notion of making the strums work around the melody is beautifully unparalleled. Gabriela is also gorgeous as well by the way so that makes her a double threat! Although there are many other guitar acoustic groups that focus on latin inspired music, such as the Gypsy Kings, I believe that no other group can match the diligence, avant-garde brilliance of these two. With special guest appearances by Alex Skolnick of Testament and Strunz & Farah, the album gets that added help by some of the best in the business. The work that Rod & Gab have put into 11:11 is astonishing in all aspects. The dueling guitars, the song arrangements and the refined textures and soundscapes make this record one hell of a record. I can clearly say that it’s one of the best records to come out of 09′. From start to finish, there are no dull moments, just impressively brilliant moments. The three year wait has proven to be more than worthy. Pick up your copy now and get lost to the sound and music of Rodrigo Y Gabriela. You won’t regret it.

By: Gian Erguiza