Catalan guitarist José Luis Montón (born in Barcelona in 1962) made a vital contribution to singer Amina Alaoui’s “Arco Iris” (ECM 2180) and during the session producer Manfred Eicher determined that a Montón solo project would be highly appropriate for ECM. Thus this extraordinary disc, recorded in Lugano last year. It’s a major artistic statement. With its programme of Montón compositions drawing upon the melodic subtleties, rhythmic vitality and emotional power of flamenco, making connections also to classical tradition, it can at once take its place alongside the label’s finest solo guitar albums.

Catalan guitarist José Luis Montón (born in Barcelona in 1962) made a vital contribution to singer Amina Alaoui’s “Arco Iris” (ECM 2180) and during the session producer Manfred Eicher determined that a Montón solo project would be highly appropriate for ECM. Thus this extraordinary disc, recorded in Lugano last year. It’s a major artistic statement. With its programme of Montón compositions drawing upon the melodic subtleties, rhythmic vitality and emotional power of flamenco, making connections also to classical tradition, it can at once take its place alongside the label’s finest solo guitar albums.