"Vihuela is a boutique winery located in Paso Robles California that was born out of a passion for Old World Spanish guitar and New World Artisan wines. In fact, the name Vihuela can be roughly translated as a Spanish Renaissance guitar. Incendio is a Spanish guitar band based in LA that fuses in Middle Eastern elements and a bohemian vibe. One evening after a few drinks winemaker, Mike Vihuela, was so bold as to suggest to Incendio that they write a tribute song about his winery. Incendio thought is was a great idea if only Vihuela would craft a wine after them and the rest is history."
- Southwest Blend Magazine
"Difficult to find a favorite among all of these gems. Each has its own flavor and tells its own story. Amazing music from an amazing group of musicians; and they love their fans as much as they love the music. "
- Amazon.com customer
"The title of the opening song on Incendio's acoustic INTIMO gives an idea of where the quintet is coming from -"Jaco y Paco". World beat, fusion, and nouveau flamenco are a few of the elements that intertwine with dashes of Pastorius and de Lucia- all delivered with danceable and sweating intensity. Guitarists Jim Stubblefield and Jean-Pierre Durand will automatically draw comparisons with Strunz and Farah, although I've also read comparisons with Ottmar Liebert. That may have been more the case on the group's Illumination (from 2001- on Paras), where Middle Eastern and new age influences crept in, but this stripped-down, live-in-the-studio set, which the band released on it's own label, has more cajones than anything I've heard Ottmar do."
- Dan Forte, VINTAGE GUITAR Magazine (May 2003)
"Diversity of style is what makes Illumination an engaging listen. While purists may be offended by the electronic grooves in a few numbers, such as the poppy "Rambla Pacifica" and the Arabic-flavored title track, Incendio's Jim Stubblefield, Liza Carbe, and Jean-Pierre Durand--playing Spanish and steel-string guitars--get away with it because they're playing live and not sampling themselves. The threesome also utilizes the skills of many notable guest musicians, including drummer and percussionist Joe Shotwell, viola player Novi Novog, and flautist Steve Marsh. The beat-driven "Prajapati" plays off an Indian vibe, "Capetown Juerga" employs a jazzy approach, "La Corrida" invokes traditional flamenco, and the romantic ballad "Sophia" exudes immense crossover appeal. In fact, crossover is the operative word for the whole album. Old-school Latin and flamenco guitar buffs might not be as impressed as other listeners, but throughout Illumination, Stubblefield, Carbe, and Durand prove they have the chops to generate some gratifying Latin guitar fusion."
-Bryan Reesman
"WHOA! Talk about shredding, these folks are listed in Webster. Truly intoxicating rhythms and beats offer a tantalizing smorgasboard of journeys into the flamenco world. From soft, laid back "ambience" to thumping "techno", these guys can take you to either extreme. El Palenque will have you "swimming" in it. Strunz and Farrah wish they were this good. Sure wish these guys would take a road trip to Florida. I wouldn't miss it for the world. Encore! Encore!"
- Amazon.com customer
