Album: Sharon Isbin & Friends, Guitar Passions (Sony Classical)

Sharon Isbin's Journey to the New World was a brilliant recapitulation of the flow of ideas between English and US folk and classical modes; here, the gifted guitarist turns her attention to the Spanish and Latin American tradition, with a series of dazzling accounts of standards by Rodrigo and Albéniz and more obscure pieces by such as Vianna and Jobim.

Unfortunately, she's also engaged other guitar stars as duettists. Which is fine if it's Romero Lubambo on Jobim's "Chovendo Na Roseira", and even string-tapping Stanley Jordan threading his own lines through Sinesi's "Sonidos De Aquel Día"; but less welcome if it's Steve Vai or Steve Morse bringing excess wattage. But Isbin's own work is faultless, particularly Albéniz's "Asturias".

DOWNLOAD THIS: Asturias; Sonidos De Aquel Día; Alfonsina y El Mar