Frontera

Frontera, Strunz & Farah's 1984 critical favorite, brought the pair much noteriety. A roster of high calibre supporting musicians join the duo, including Luis Conte (percussion), Alex Acuna (drums), Randy Tico (bass), Eddie Del Barrio (keyboards), Steve Tavaglione (flute), Steve Kujala (flute), and Stanley Clarke (acoustic bass), among others. Complex and melodic compositions dominate, with the material crossing more into Middle Eastern territory than the bulk of Strunz & Farah's catalog. "Amritsar", in particular, features guest guitarist Omaya Alghanim and is chock full of blazing scales at Pentium speeds, as it outlines the spiritual center in India, a pool for the soul. "Reng" is another ear-opener, as the music explores rhythms and colors from Farah's native Iran.