by Alex Henderson
Anyone who appreciates the richness of Spanish music (be it traditional flamenco or the popular "flamenco rock" of the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s) can't help but take notice when an album is titled Madrid. However, this weak effort by guitarist Mark Antoine lacks the soulfulness of Spanish music, and was recorded with the so-called "smooth jazz" market in mind. Imagine the most insipid recordings of Earl Klugh, Lee Ritenour or Grant Geissman having Spanish overtones, and you can get an idea what Antoine sounds like on such lightweight, saccharine tunes as "Jazzenco," "Plaza Mayor" and "Sunland." Antoine's albums may have wound up in the jazz bins, but this dull and homogenized CD is nothing more than new age with a beat. Whether you're into Spanish music, pop or jazz (or all of the above), Madrid is an album to keep away from.