Vocal Rendezvous is a remarkable project by guitar virtuoso Al Di Meola together with a host of pop and R&B artists. The brain behind this CD was the Swedish / American producer team Ego Works, consisting of Roman B and Music Mike. They previously worked on albums by Within Temptation, MC Solaar and Beverly Knight, among others. They probably got inspiration for Vocal Rendezvous from the successful
… albums of Santana, who managed to score huge hits through collaboration with pop artists. Vocal Rendezvous is structured in a similar way: the guests provide the vocals, Di Meola lets his guitar do the work. Joe, Macy Gray, Angie Stone and Beverly Knight and even the forgotten boy band No Mercy can sing, accompanied by Di Meola's guitar playing, with room for a solo in each song. There are also three instrumental tracks. The slick pop production is often on the edge, and the question is who is really waiting for this CD: probably only the most fanatical Al Di Meola fans. (IV)more
