Canadien composer Michel Cusson has constructed a masterpiece in world music on his Camino album. If you are a follower of world music, you will surely want to add this CD to your collection. If you are not familiar with world music, you should check out this CD to see what it is all about. Cusson has pulled an amazing array of styles together into this diverse, eclectic collage of internationally flavored compositions. Though the composition is without a doubt the forte and focal point of the effort, the multi-faceted instrumentation is superb in its realization of the extraordinarily well conceived musical vision. The combination of distinctive instruments that are seamlessly integrated into a coherent tonal tapestry that beautifully articulate and accentuate the many widely varying musical styles that are covered. The command that Cusson's composition demonstrates over these many international styles is staggering when considering the details and nuances that he has not only captured in the composition, but also in the execution. Cusson covers many diverse styles with the effectiveness of masters dedicated to any one of the specific genres.

Camino is an instrumental effort that uses Cusson's inventive arrangements to showcase some finely phrased technicianry among a host of instruments tactfully played by Cusson and other players. Though the music has a mellow, deeply felt center, there are also some lively and more aggressive sections that compliment the more beguiling sections. In addition to his broadly scoped coverage of widely varying styles, Cusson shows a great skill for mixing up the rhythms, dynamics, harmonies, melodies, and voicings, as well. The level of musical insight and knowledge demonstrated by Cusson on Camino is truly impressive, especially when considering the easily accessible content that he delivers his unending creativity. This album clearly distinguishes Cusson as a great composer of modern music. Cusson is not constrained by any inhibitions of conventional musical boundaries and the end result is fantastic.

Cusson's compositions sweep across the styles of various traditional and modern genres with the seamless ease of a summer wind blowing across the nations of the world through time as though it were absorbing and carrying the music from each nation as it passed. The application of different instruments to accentuate cultural voicings on Camino is profound to behold. Cusson even disarms any skepticism listeners might have pertaining to the accordian that he deploys with amazing effect. Cusson's artful application of the accordian single-handedly changed my entire perspective on that instrument.

Though it is not altogether bereft of frenzied fret scaling, don't expect a lot of speedy guitar work on this album because that is not the intent the composer Michel Cusson. But, do come prepared to listen to some superb arrangements that bring the meta-genre of world music to light. And, if you are a fan of exotic, flavorful music with complex yet accessible musical composition, do check this one out. Camino is a highly enjoyable album that spans a wide breadth of styles and emotions with subtle precision.

~ Christopher Ruel ~ www.ChrisRuel.com ~ Chris@ChrisRuel.com ~ Chris Ruel's Monthly Spotlight

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