Johannes Linstead: The Brand New Album ‘Azul’

29/9/2017

One Of The Best Selling Guitarists in Instrumental, Jazz and World Music Today, Johannes Linstead is Back!

From being named Canada’s “Guitarist of the Year,” to winning seven “Best Album” awards, to seven top-ten US Billboard charting albums, and winning the “People’s Choice” award in the UK, Johannes Linstead has become recognized internationally as one of the best selling guitarists in the Instrumental, Jazz and World Music genres.

Chances are even if you don’t know the name you’ve heard his music. Johannes Linstead songs have been used in some of the most popular TV shows, such as Californication with David Duchovny, The Following with Kevin Bacon, Burn Notice, Gene Simmons Family Jewels, Pawn Stars, Person of Interest, and others.

When creating new music Johannes derives his inspiration from his many travels, from Spain to the Caribbean, from India to the Middle East. Each new land bringing him a wealth of exotic sounds and rhythms to colour his musical pallet. ‘Azul’ is the combination of his inspirations from his world travels and from a developed love for the tropics, Johannes Linstead now calls the Dominican Republic his home away from home.

Johannes' new album ‘Azul’ is a fiesta of Spanish and electric guitars accented with lilting trumpet, piano, accordion, and spicy Latin percussion, whisking the listener away on a musical vacation to the sunny climates of the tropics. Recorded in Toronto and the Dominican Republic the album features Johannes' signature lightning-fast fretwork, unforgettable melodies, sultry vocals, and rhythms that ignite the soul.

We first heard this new album ‘Azul’ straight after it was mastered a couple months ago, Johannes sent us a copy in advance and let us say right here… this new album ‘Azul’ is Johannes Linstead at his best!

Many of the songs on ‘Azul’ were composed as Johannes began to formulate the album back in November 2016 while in the Dominican Republic. He had a few songs from the past that he never finished composing. They were only skeletons, sketches.

Then as he formally began the process of creating the album, he started to build those songs. Most of the album was written, recorded, mixed and mastered within about a five month period.

However, there were a couple songs that Johannes didn't like, he wasn’t pleased with the way they sounded, so he re-recorded them – especially the guitar parts – over and over until he got the sound and orchestration that he liked.

The most problematic song was ‘Lazy Sunday’. Johannes is glad he’s such a perfectionist on this particular track, because now he’s got it right… it now sounds just like he wanted it to… it's also his father's favorite song on the album.

Johannes states: “I use music as a way to express what words cannot say. Every note contains a part of me and all the love, joy, hope and compassion in my heart. I believe that music has the power to uplift humanity – I see it all the time at every one of my concerts. To be able to bring happiness to so many people is a true blessing.”

A deeply spiritual person, Johannes is a certified yoga instructor and conducts yoga and music retreats when his touring schedule allows. In 2006, he founded Divine Earth (divineearth.org), a humanitarian organization promoting meditation, yoga, holistic living, and the healing power of music.

His brilliant group consists of congas, bongos, accordion, bass and Spanish guitars, with each band member lending his own unique charisma, creating a rare on-stage chemistry that moves audiences to their feet, clapping along with the music and occasionally shouting out “ole!”

This on-stage chemistry is also present in the studio, Johannes and his group set the studio on fire as they let loose a fiesta of Afro-Cuban percussion and Spanish guitar magic.