Al Di Meola is generally regarded as one of the most technically gifted guitar players to emerge since the 1970s, an opinion based in part on his dazzling command of styles and approaches. After attending the Berklee School of Music, Di Meola joined Chick Corea’s Return to Forever and released his first solo record, Land of the Midnight Sun, in 1976. Early work emphasized the guitarist's blindingly fast and complex fingerwork, making him a crucial forerunner of "shred guitar," but later albums found Di Meola exploring Latin jazz, world music, and acoustic styles such as flamenco. A steady stream of work throughout his career has kept Di Meola's star bright, and solidified his influence among jazz and rock guitarists.