The All Music Guide describes ESPIRITO as an "extraordinary musical trip...splendidly exotic, infectiously melodic," and a "nonstop engaging festival on disc." Full review here.
Jazziz Magazine writes: "Rollins continues to refine his cross-cultural blending, as he musically travels from Havana to Cape Town to his own Piedmont region. The rousing opener, "Rumba del Sol," provides a promise of the masterful string work to follow." Full review here.
Vintage Guitar Magazine writes: "Lawson's take on the genre features fiery guitar chops and lush, full-bodied orchestrations...Lawson's highly polished approach to guitar playing will impress anyone who appreciates a player with a broad creative palette and finely honed technical expertise." Full review here.
Music Web Express states:
"One of the preeminent acoustic guitarists in America today... When it comes to nylon string neoclassical flamenco work, few can touch Rollins. Lawson's latest CD is a full-fledged production featuring a number of gifted players...a thoroughly enjoyable hour or so of instrumental music magic." Full review here.
Mainly Piano music critic Michael Debbage writes: "Espirito is an album that truly expresses a global musical landscape of what World Music should be all about...Rollins continues to separate himself from his peers creating a unique musical tapestry of his own that shines ever so brightly." Full review here.
World Music Central writes: "With Rollins' guitar at the helm of a topflight musical crew, the result is layered, sophisticated, evocative pieces that combine styles and cultures craftily and expertly." Full review here.
Inside World Music writes, "A truly 'world music' journey across styles, countries, and sounds. The intrinsic musical abilities of all involved shine through on every track. Espirito is an album made with all the right ingredients for a delicious result."
The International Review of Music states: "On this latest album, Rollins continues to apply his prodigious technique to a far-reaching collection of material. Espirito reaches beyond the familiar areas of Latin jazz with some adventurous compositions and stirring solos...the album is pieced together with purpose and love of music from all corners of the globe."
The Smooth Jazz Ride writes: "A consummate diverse production of great quality...Rollins does know his way around the Spanish guitar and shows how to clearly read and absorb the cultures of the world in doing so." Full review here.
Washington D.C.'s Hill Rag writes: "Guitarist Lawson Rollins meticulously chisels his skill, culture and passion into his most
ambitious album, Espirito." Full review here.
Wandering Educators music reviewer Jessie Voigts writes, "Lawson has done an incredible feat, joining cultures, musicians, and the world into one joyful cd. His jazz and classical guitar influences, along with his supreme technical proficiency, combine to make one of the best cds I've ever heard. " Full review here.
Smoothjazz.com writes, "ESPIRITO, the second solo masterpiece from guitar virtuoso Lawson Rollins...an adventurous amalgam of musical cultures. Having been blown away by its initial spin, it was on subsequent visits where I found the vibrant playfulness of Lawson's musical mastery truly revealed." Full review here.
All About Jazz writes, “Excellent stuff here from Rollins, once again...His guitar work is even more dynamic and dramatic than the predecessor.” Full review here.
Midwest Record writes, “A master guitarist and a snazzy writer, Rollins has come in with a tonic for jaded adult ears that need some playful passion to shake off the dust. First rate throughout.” Full review here.
First View describes ESPIRITO as, “A feast of classical acoustic guitar and world music.” Full review here.
Reviews of "INFINITA"
Guitar Player Magazine Editor-in-Chief Michael Molenda writes, “Rollins seduces in so many ways that it’s almost unfair. His classical tone is gorgeous, his technique is impeccable, his subtle genre blending is compelling, and the cat can play melodies with jaw-dropping, near-demonic speed.”
Vintage Guitar Magazine describes INFINITA as “brimming with passion and intensity” and states that “from every standpoint – the playing, the compositions, the production – this is a beautifully executed album of evocative guitar music.”
All About Jazz writes, “Thoroughly original… INFINITA is a rewarding gem… easily one of the year’s best.”
Jazziz Magazine: "Rollins goes from soothingly slow to furiously fast and peppers the project with worldly contributions."
Global Rhythm Magazine describes INFINITA as offering “skilled and graceful fusion that should cause many listeners to sit up and take notice.”
JazzTimes Magazine states, “Classically trained guitarist Lawson Rollins made some great music with the duo of Young and Rollins, and has now reached even loftier heights with his debut solo CD.” The reviewer describes the music as “haunting and uplifting,” and writes, “Rollins’ lightning-fast picking is exhilarating without being too showy.”
The All Music Guide describes INFINITA, as “provocative and seductive…a masterful genre-busting collection of Latin, Indian, Persian, Arabic, South American. and European sounds.”
The Salt Lake Tribune gave INFINITA a “Grade A” rating and described it as a “Smooth, danceable, exotic journey.”
20th Century Guitar Magazine describes INFINITA as a “fresh set of mostly instrumental tracks featuring a top echelon of players” and writes, “INFINITA is a solid, well recorded CD filled with intriguing guitar instrumentals.”
Jazzreview.com describes INFINITA as “a warm, diverse, and colorful winner.” Full review here.
All Access Magazine reviewer Mike Cavanaugh wrote, “I am so overwhelmed by the musicianship of this CD I find myself somewhat speechless, a rarity indeed…Rollins’ guitar playing is outstanding and the song collaborations with internationally recognized musicians is phenomenal.” Selected as one of their top 10 ‘Best of 2008′ albums!
The Muse’s Muse “Rollins is a rare talent… He is a virtuoso master of his instrument.”
The Toledo Blade states in their June 1st, 2008 review of INFINITA, “Rollins demonstrates gorgeous guitar technique.”
Smoothjazz.com reviewer Sandy Shore writes, "This outstanding album is a richly decorated tapestry of jazz and World Music...There’s such great depth to all eleven tracks, don’t be surprised if INFINITA takes up permanent residence in your car CD player."
The Reno Gazette Journal writes, "The roster of artists is
stellar...The connective tissue and this burst of sonic flavor is
Rollins’ guitar work, a bright sound with purpose."
Fly Global Music writes, “If ever there was a record that truly deserved the world beat label then this is it. The different sounds compliment each well creating an original, rich, textured musical tapestry. “
MainlyPiano.com describes Rollins as a “breathtaking guitarist” and states, “Rollins has created a wonderful musical experience that it is a kaleidoscope of genres.” Rated as one of their top 20 albums of 2008.
SmoothViews.com describes INFINITA as a “strikingly original exploration of the possibilities of fusing flamenco, salsa, and bossa-nova influences with elements of Persian, Arabic, and Indian music, and morphing the music into something entirely new.” The review states, “INFINITA is hypnotic, intriguing and energizing. It plays on your imagination and opens your senses to whole new worlds of sound…The amount of different sounds he [Rollins] can pull out of a guitar is beyond impressive.”
