"Inspiracion" is Jim Stubblefield's fifth solo CD since he began his recording career in the mid-90s. As a founding member of the Billboard charting music group Incendio, Stubblefield has been regarded as a fine guitarist and composer. The music on Inspiracion is influenced by the musical traditions of South America and the Mediterranean and includes rumbas, joropos, and even a Middle Eastern inspired piece. The all instrumental music is passionate and filled with lightening fast acoustic guitar playing, virtuoso world percussion and flowing bass guitar grooves. Organic and without any synthesizers, drum machines or samples, Inspiracion, is about energy, rhythm, melody, and synergy . Jim is joined by the fantastic Randy Tico (fretless bass guitar) who has played and recorded with Strunz and Farah, Flora Purim, Lawson Rollins, and Airto. The great Bryan Brock lends his incredible drumming and world percussion work to the project.
"Guitarra Exotica" is a romantic and mysterious journey into a world of exotic melodies and tantalizing rhythms. With exciting pieces such as "La Selva Negra" and "El Vaquero", the infectious rumba rhythms will transport the listener to South America. The bulerías inspired "Gitana Mora" and the tangos inspired "One Quiet Night" draw influences from the wonderful flamenco rhythms of Andalucía. The hypnotic belly dance rhythms of "Eye of the Sun" are a wonderful contrast to the Eastern European sound of "A Gypsy's Kiss". Throughout the CD Stubblefield uses different guitars to match the mood of each piece. From the flamenco guitars on "Gitana Mora" to the gypsy jazz guitar on "A Gypsy's Kiss" to the electric work on "Rumba Arabe" and "Eye of the Sun", Stubblefield shows his versatility while also creating a well crafted blend of instruments. "Guitarra Exotica" features appearances by bassists Randy Tico (Strunz and Farah, Flora Purim, Airto) and Ruben Ramos. Violist Novi Novog (Prince, Doobie Brothers, Frank Zappa, David Arkenstone) and Bryan Brock on percussion round out the lineup.
