This is the third album from self-proclaimed "rumba flamenco"
guitarist/composer Jesse Cook, and again his music defies categorization.
While his inspiration is the flamenco sound he heard as a child, Jesse adds to it with sounds and touches of other cultures to give us music that feels like it is tradional, yet is entirely unique. "Rumba" is a fun, or less strict, interpretation of flamenco, but like garlic in Italian food you can always savor its presence.

The opening song, "That's Right," has a cajun/calypso feel, with
"Buckwheat" Dural Jr. adding accordion and vocals to this blood-stirring
opener. "Byzantium Underground" draws on the sounds of the Casbah, with the flute counterpointing the guitar, and a sultry beat that conveys images of belly-dancers, snake-charmers and fakirs.

Like the opening of a French art film, "Cancion Triste" suggests hidden
thoughts, multi-layers of purpose, and a sense of mystery, as Ofra Harnoy lends the deep and evocative sound of his cello to the mix. The music gets
passionate and inflamed on "Rattle and Burn," as Jesse's guitar and the drums battle for your attention.

"Red" is another Latin excursion, with some added flavor of native
instruments, while "Breathing Below Surface" uses guest percussionist Mario Melo to create the feel of water and movement on this strangely appealing track. The fruit doesn't fall far from the tree on "Avocado," as this spirited tune is as bright and fresh as the fruit it's named after. "Allegreto" is a softer sound, still pulsating, but smoother and slightly slower, with the muted sounds of congas. The hand-percussion is less strident than the use of drums.

The title track, "Vertigo," returns to the feel of the Middle East, like the
echo of a Hitchcock mystery underlaid with the tension of a dramatic moment to keep you off balance. Holly Cole spins her sultry web on "Fragile," an excellent cover of the Sting tune. Tacked onto the last track is a hidden one, "Wednesday Night at Eric's," a terrific little bonus with a lot of hand jive bridging to compete with the guitars.

Jesse's guitar play gets the heart pounding, the toes tapping, and the
ears leaning toward the cd player, giving one a feeling of "vertigo" - in this case a good feeling. So, lean over the record bin and pick up this album.