Simply put, Peppino D’Agostino is a guitar virtuoso: a master class unto himself. Just one listen to this eagerly-awaited new CD and you will not only know that for yourself, but fall in love with his craftsmanship. Penumbra features not only a collection of original material, but collaborative work from such notables as Roland Dyens, Maurizio Colonna and two compositions especially written for D’Agostino by Latin Grammy award-winning Brazilian guitarist Sergio Assad.

The first track is the title track and therefore is entitled ‘Penumbra,’ and as it opens with some stunning, yet simplistically-strummed acoustic guitar chords, you already know you are in for a real musical tour de force. The virtuoso performances continue onwards with tracks such as the faster-paced ’Movimenti Sincronici,’ the shorter, but even faster-paced ’Peppin Sotto Portico,’ and both ’Valse des Anges’ and ’Una Serata a North Beach.’

The gentle ‘Irican’ is next and is backed by ‘Incantation,’ but it’s the freeflowing beauty of ‘MB Love’ that peaks our attention once again. The guitarist’s guitarist really goes all out on this delightful track and brings with it a bright sunny charm, shall we say. Next up are the dulcet trio of ‘Jamie’s Smile,’ ‘Sergio,’ and the short-but-sweet ‘Smiling at Each Other,’ before this stunningly-beautiful album comes to a close with the classical rhythmic strings of ’The Blue Ocean.’

Reviewed by: Russell A. Trunk