Reviews
"For several years, Johannes Linstead has been regarded as one of the top Latin guitarists in the world. His most recent CD Café Tropical does nothing to dispel that notion. Ladies if you are looking for a great night out and want to watch a very good looking man play some beautiful music then you should check out Linstead’s itinerary. He tours extensively throughout the United States and Canada. Gentleman if you are planning a romantic candlelit dinner for that special lady you will not go wrong in creating the perfect ambience with the music of Johannes Linstead." Joe Montague, JazzReview.com
"...the warm and invigorating music of Café Tropical is further evidence that Johannes Linstead is one of the leading artists in the nouveau flamenco guitar genre." Michael Debbage, Solo Piano Publications
"Cafe Tropical transports the listener to beautiful places with passionate, guitar-led music performed by expert fingertips." Freetimes Magazine, Rochester NY
"Cafe Tropical - With an international backing band, this is ocean breeze fantasy of classical guitar." Yeah Yeah Yeah, Cincinnati OH
"[Cafe Tropical] lays you back with a mix of world influence, helped out by top-flight Cuban and South American pals laying in waves of percussion, trumpet and violin. It's an album to escape with, musically and mentally." Times & Transcript, New Brunswick, Canada
"Upbeat, refined, and congenial as ever, Café Tropical is a crisply performed, easy-to-like collection of nouveau flamenco destined to brighten the atmosphere, particularly at summer patio parties." Amazon.com Editorial Review
"Cafe Tropical will be a precious pearl in any music-lover’s collection." S. Kozlovsky Reviews, Belarus
"Kick your feet up and mellow out for an exceptional musical journey to the tropics." The World Beat - Pick of the Month April 2006, www.mnsu.edu/kmsufm
"How many people can claim that every single one of their albums have charted on Billboard? Not many; hell, most can1t even claim one. Not so with Johannes Linstead, whose work is always highly regarded both in sales and by critics who can't get enough of his Spanish guitar compositions. The minute you insert this CD into your stereo you'll be whisked away on a far-off journey to Spain and the Mediterranean Sea. Two words that immediately come to mind are: absolutely stunning." Smother.net
"Linstead's last album was the kind of mind-blower that redefined flamenco guitar for the new age. Once again, he ups the ante. In the manner of contemporary masters like McLaughlin et al, Linstead has a world beat fire that doesn't go out. Continuing to be an artist you have to keep tabs on, this is another must for all guitar fans." Midwest Record Recap
"'Mediterranea' is an acoustic Spanish guitar tour-de-force. On this first meeting with the music of Johannes Linstead I was truly impressed. The album delivers some of the most accessible Spanish guitar music and modern Flamenco around. I found it to be the most rhythmic in the genre.. A grand listen! Recommended." Critical Review Service
"Hot enough to generate more than a few sparks, Johannes Linstead's fourth offering, "Zabuca", proves once again that he's a force to be reckoned with in the nouveau flamenco arena." Backroads Music
"Johannes whisks us away to exotic lands via upbeat songs of celebration or somber compositions of reflective romantic ballads with great ease. I was fortunate enough to meet this man in person during an in-store appearance. His guitar playing was breathless to say the least." Michael Debbage, WindandWire.com
"'Zabuca' is a fiery, passionate Spanish guitar tour de force." Kathy Parsons , Solo Piano Publications
"In the darkest days of deep winter the newest and brightest notes from the guitar of Johannes Linstead blossom brighter than a field of sunflowers in August. It’s musical magic." Antoinette Botsford, NAV Magazine
"Zabuca burns with the same passionate and festive Latin joy, from the jubilant and brassy "Gauyabera" to the seductive and whimsical, Middle Eastern influenced "La Rumbita." Jonathan Widran, Jazziz Magazine
"Zabuca - Un disco che brucia di gioia appassionata con ritmi sensuali ed eccentrici che combinano il virtuosismo chitarristico di Johannes Linstead, insieme a momenti dolci con romantiche parti vocali stese su un meraviglioso arazzo di ritmi nouveau flamenco." Trigono (Italy)
"Linstead’s magic guitar spins out melodies like summer bees spin honey out of wildflowers, his music incandescent with life force. Zabuca personifies the mystery of the heart and evokes whitewashed villas gleaming in the sun-splashed hills above the harbor, or the astonishing color of bougainvillea in the first rays of the morning sun" Steve Ryals, New Age Retailer
"'Guitar of Fire,' is a most apt description of Nouveau Flamenco artist Johannes' performances. More than just dazzling runs up and down the fret board or displays of dexterity in plucking and strumming, these are cohesive melodies and tunes." Ken Rosenbaum, Toledo Blade
"The listener is invited to embrace dream-like visions and sweet romantic themes as the music overflows with life." Evelyn Santoro, The Planet
"Full of syncopated tumbao-like grooves, doubled melodies, and speedy guitar soloing. The occasional Gipsy violin part adds a nice touch." Flamenco Connection
"Cuarto álbum de uno de los principales exponentes de la guitarra espanola en las nuevas músicas estadounidenses. Jubilosas y festivas, sus composiciones siguen una onda caribena, rumbera y latinoamericana con ocasionales tonos románticos y meditativos." Edires (Spain)
"Johannes is a celebrated and passionate player, expressing the joy of life in every track. Excellent album." Richard Giles, Nexus Magazine (Australia, New Zealand, UK, The Netherlands, USA)
"A sure bet for guitar fans to love and spread the word about. Hot stuff!" Midwest Record Recap
"Linstead is deservedly rising from the ranks of new flamenco artists thanks to his inspired melding of Caribbean and South American rhythms with smile-inducing melodies. Unlike the dozen or so mostly mediocre artists currently featured on compilations too numerous to mention, Linstead is actually penning truly memorable tunes." CDnow.com
"Look out Ottmar Liebert. If Ottmar Liebert is the king of nouveau flamenco, then Johannes Linstead must be it's eldest prince." Amazon.com
"Johannes Linstead transports the listener on an intimate journey through the colorful Caribbean." Martin Curti, New World Buzz
"Johannes' music fits comfortably in the nouveau flamenco category, but one listen will tell you that it is so much more...music that fully realizes the romance, energy and vibrancy of the cultures which inspired it." New Age Voice
"Johannes Linstead’s exceptional flamenco CD rates in the top 5 of our extensive flamenco section." Open Door Music
"(Kiss The Earth) is the perfect CD to put on for watching sunsets." Kaos Magazine
"This music is full of life...a real volcano of passion and fire." Serge Kozlovsky, Jazz Magazine (Republic of Belarus)
"Kiss The Earth - Johannes Linstead propone ritmi vivaci, orgogliosi passaggi sonori e fantastiche melodie come ingredienti base del viaggio esotico e appassionato verso gli assolati paradisi caraibici e le calde notti danzanti sudamericane." Trigono (Italy)
"Linstead creates music that reflects the exciting sounds of nouveau flamenco with an amazingly strong debut album. From poignant and contemplative to fiery and provocative, Sol Luna Tierra embraces the many sounds and emotions of this striking genre of music." Music Design
"I listened to Sol Luna Tierra and realized immediately that I had forgotten something - my passport. The music of Johannes Linstead carried me around the world in song with sultry ballads, native rhythms, and firecracker flamenco." Wind & Wire Magazine
"SOL LUNA TIERRA is the debut release from this exciting acoustic guitarist, whose explorations deep into the realm of nouveau flamenco are truly dreamy." Borders.com (Borders Books & Music)
"Heartily recommended!" Tandem Magazine
"Johannes exudes international appeal...a talent indeed." Eye For The Future
"Gypsy freedom and original melodies" Backroadmusic.com
"The many moods of Latin guitar emerge on Johannes Linstead's Sol Luna Tierra. Inspired by journeys in Cuba, Colombia and Venezuela, Linstead adds piano, horns, flute and percussion to his snappy flamenco rhythms and gorgeous melodies." Words and Music Magazine
"Sol Luna Tierra, Johannes Linstead’s exceptional flamenco CD- rates in the top 5 of our extensive flamenco section" Open Door Music and Books
"For those readers with tastes as eclectic as my own, or with a yen for warmer climes and the music to dream of them by, don't pass this up." RHIG Magazine
"An imaginative fusion of folklores, shaped by the artistic pesonality of this composer...lively rhythms elaborated with warm percussion..." Amazings.com
"...Flamenco flourishes and meticulous rhythms, adding a unique and independent voice to the musical parlance of his influences. Linstead's original pieces are veritable daydreams for the easy listening/instrumental audience market which will swoon on first contact with his first single titled Mountain Mist." RPM Magazine