Costa Rican guitarist Jorge Strunz is usually heard in partnership with his Iranian–born collaborator Ardeshir Farah but here in this solo outing he has the freedom to fully explore his Latin guitar roots. A diplomat's son who has lived in Mexico, Colombia, and Spain as well as Britain and the US, Strunz has absorbed no end of influences along the way, in particular flamenco, a genre in which he became professionally adept whilst still a teenager. This collection of instrumental pieces draws on a wider musical range, however, with cumbia, Afro–Peruvian landó and even tango providing flavor. Strunz's flying fingers are well to the fore but this is no one–man show as, in addition to double–tracked guitars, there is also unobtrusive double bass, light percussion, and occasional violin and cello.

Naturally, as Neotropical Nocturnes showcases the talent of just one man and his instrument there is always the slight risk of "fret board fatigue" stepping in, beating the listener into submission with too many notes and not enough variety. This never quite happens but you do sense the danger— a little more variation in tempo and texture would not have gone amiss, as would a more natural sounding production job. Nevertheless, this is a highly accomplished set redolent of warm nights and tropical rainfall in lush gardens. It is just a pity that it doesn't have a few more rough edges to give integrity so that you get to smell the vegetation and hear the crickets too.