The acoustic-guitar duo of Rodrigo y Gabriela are here joined by a 13-piece Cuban orchestra, known as C.U.B.A. With arrangements from British jazz pianist and composer Alex Wilson, they deliver the musically adventurous and expansive Area 52, which adds horns, strings, hand drums, sitar, oud, and electric guitar to songs that originally appeared in stripped-down form on 2009's 11:11 and their self-titled 2006 release. The interplay between the classically trained Cuban musicians and these flamenco-styled acoustic rockers is inspired and forced both sets of musicians to rethink their approaches. Cuban music accents music differently than rock 'n' roll. The Carlos Santana tribute"Hanuman" is transformed into a wild celebration of sound."Ixtapa" features an extended sitar solo from Anoushka Shankar."11:11" retains its homage to Pink Floyd (especially in its David Gilmour–like guitar solo) while employing an intricate Latin rhythm that's closer to a Cuban folk song. This is a high-spirited collection of inspired musicianship.