There's no mystery to the appeal of Armik's sun-warmed, note- dense excursions on guitar. An Iranian native of Armenian descent now living in Southern California, Armik sets his new flamenco works aglow with a blend of passion and craftsmanship that exudes an authentic, old-world character plus a beguiling, gypsy-like charm. It is an inviting combination that reliably draws in mainstream fans of contemporary instrumental music who are attracted to new flamenco's more exotic colorings. Armik's principal distinguishing quality is the sometimes-startling quickness of his fingers, which are capable of producing great swarms of notes that almost render listeners dizzy. On this, the former jazz guitarist's sixth recording, Armik elects to use a different guitar on each of the disc's 12 tracks, though it's a nuance that ultimately matters little and will be lost on most listeners. The attraction remains the earnest, old-school inclinations of Armik's compositions and their almost unfailingly upbeat disposition. Traditional flamenco listeners will likely continue to shrug off Armik's playing, but casual listeners will just as likely remain impressed by his dexterous, energetic displays. Expect another string of five-star listener reviews for this consistently appealing performer. --Terry Wood