by Paula Edelstein 　　Armik, the internationally renowned Nuevo flamenco guitarist / composer / producer, offers this amazing compilation of his most inspired and spontaneous expressions. The great songs included here on Fuego Gitana: The Nuevo Flamenco Collection, reflect Armik’s visions of the universality of love, romance and intimacy and span over a decade of songwriting and performing. His fine guitar artistry features sensual and technical brilliance, which unite the stylistic components of Latin jazz improvisations with lyrical flamenco chord voicings. 　　“Cádiz” and “Fuego Gitana” are two recently written songs, which speak to a more contemporary version of flamenco fire – each flying high enough to embrace suave melodies from the winds of passion that inspired the great guitarist to create these songs of joy for living, laughing and emotion. 　　Armik lifts your heart on “Azul”, a track from Mar de Sueños. He invents a happy, loving relationship that is told through up-tempo flourishes and a wonderful mix of Latin, flamenco and jazz elements formed by exciting fretwork and lightning-quick playing. 　　“Golden Touch” from Lost in Paradise, is both exotic and elegant. It is to Armik’s credit that is indicative of his flamenco influences yet it reflects a contemporary elegance of rapturous guitar notes that touch the soul and warmly embrace you in their love as they float from his fingers. 　　“Treasures From Spain” and “Barcelona Sunsets” were also released on Lost in Paradise in 2002. These great songs capture the enchantment of Spain and allow you to get outside yourself with the same feelings of inner peace and solitude that beautiful sunsets and glowing exotic treasures somehow manage to effect. 　　The fire and passion, sudden enchantment, and unexpected happiness you’ll feel when listening to “Passion”, “Treasures”, and “Blue Paradise”, all tracks from Armik’s chart-topping hit Treasures, are but a few of the great emotions Armik shares with his listeners. His guitar virtuosity is an unmatched portrait in sound that emanates from his heart and soul in a flurry of mystical fingerprints that capture his truest self-expressions. 　　“Barcelona”, a track previously released on Barcelona, lets your imagination take you away to the sunny Mediterranean city in Spain. Armik’s arpeggiated chords and creative stylistic inflections bring forth the imagery and energy of this vibrant city. If you are in a festive mood, “Casa Patas”, also from Barcelona, shares Armik’s rhythmic flair and thrilling technique taking you front and center to the gaiety, revelry and flamenco spirit inherent in this popular tourist spot in Madrid. 　　The sun goes down and the moon goes up as another day takes a bow. On “Moonlight Café”, Armik strums a romantic and passionate melody that reveals the ambience associated with gathering in the moonlight at a serene café. The moods created by Armik flow like newly released secrets held captive in the depths of life. Taken from Romantic Dreams, only Armik could bring you this sublime beautiful music. 　　As you continue to immerse yourself in Armik’s guitar virtuosity, his romantic strumming turns within. Intimacy and passion thrive on “Fire Within”, a song previously released on Guitarrista in 2007. It features blazing flamenco rhythms that Armik plays at incredible speed. He punctuates this dramatic song with fiery colors, dramatic nuance and the epic flourishes that have become his signature. You’ll be tempted to put on your dancing shoes and dance into the late night hours. 　　As he closes this recording, Armik takes you on another of his world adventures and leaves you spellbound by the sultry sounds of this inspired creation. “Your Lovely Smile”, from A Day in Brazil, features his eloquent breaths of beauty bringing new sparks to a Brazilian tradition – the bossa nova. Armik’s musicality unfolds in an array of Brazilian rhythms that implore you to enjoy his rich, breezy acoustic guitar sounds that have delighted his fans the world over. 　　To hear Armik’s music is to love it. It is an addiction, an inspiration to all lovers of great music. Come experience the delight of rediscovering some of Armik’s greatest hits. This excellent compilation of 14 songs shares his special guitar skills, world-class techniques and original stories of love, passion, happiness and life. What could be more inspiring as hearing more of the world through Armik’s great imagination? This spectacular recording makes it possible and irresistibly enticing. 　　Produced by: Armik 　　Guitars: Armik performing on especially made custom flamenco guitars from Spain: Conde Hermanos, Manuel Reyes and Pedro Maldonado Guitars. 　　All songs composed and arranged by Armik 　　Published and administered by Armik’s Music Publishing, Inc. (BMI) 　　Recorded and mastered at Bolero Records Studio 　　Recording Engineer: Annette Dashchi 　　Mixed by: Annette Dashchi and Armik