Sharon Isbin, whose 2009 “Journey to the New World” with folk legend Joan Baez and violinist Mark O’Connor won a Grammy Award, continues to pursue prominent collaborations while immersing herself in global styles and sounds. Her new album, “Guitar Passions,” features a cadre of diverse guitar virtuosos including Steve Vai, Stanley Jordan and Nancy Wilson collaborating on a dozen Latin-flavored tracks. It's our Album of the Week.

Isbin is known for her omnivorous tastes as well as her polished technique and broad palette of sounds. Past albums have centered on Brazilian music ("Journey to the Amazon"), international folk ("Dreams of a World"), Baroque music and newly commissioned concertos (by Christopher Rouse, Dun Tan, John Corigliano). Isbin, who directs the guitar departments at the Juilliard School and the Aspen Music Festival, is a proselytizer for the instrument who will never turn down a chance to spread the guitar gospel (even taking on a small part on the Showtime series “The L Word").

Drawing on influences from countries including Brazil, Paraguay, Argentina, Colombia and Spain, Isbin eloquently incorporates Latin flavors in each song of this album. A centerpiece is an extended, 13-minute version of the Adagio from Concierto de Aranjuez that includes Brazilian guitarist Romero Lubambo and Steve Morse, founder of the southern rock band Dixie Dregs. A rendition of "Dreamboat Annie," which features Nancy Wilson from the band Heart, unexpectedly showcases some Latin tinge from the two artists. Steve Vai, known for his flashy hard rock styles, reveals a softer side on "La Catedral," written by Paraguayan composer Agustin Barrios Mangore.

Isbin is particularly strong in a solo performance of Albeniz’s Asturias, bringing fire and flair to the work’s Flamenco-inspired strums. Two Brazilian tracks – "Carinhoso" and "O Presidente" – showcase Isbin’s longstanding collaboration with Thiago de Mello, an Amazon Indian percussionist who slept in a hammock into his 20s but helped her win a Grammy in 2000. The former song also features the mellow vocals of Brazilian singer Rosa Passos.

With its motley mix of rock and jazz players, "Guitar Passions" may not entirely add up on paper, yet the results are consistently satisfying.

"Guitar Passions"
Sharon Isbin
Sony Classical
Available at Arkivmusic.com