The North Carolina-based duo of Juan Benavides and Jaime Ibarra explore three main musical styles on their debut: traditional flamenco, rumba flamenca, and guitarra Latina; the duo also sprinkle some subtle pop influences into the latter two styles. Three of the 12 originals on Aire y Candela are traditional flamenco and are the most striking pieces. Two of their other songs--"Hierbabuena" and the catchy "Gato Gris"--skirt dangerously close to replicating ideas by one of their acknowledged influences, Latin guitar pioneers Strunz & Farah. And while De Madera are also informed by the guitar mastery of Paco De Lucía and the jovially rambunctious spirit of rumba flamenca, they often sound as if they"re diluting those influences into some very even-keeled numbers. The solid musicianship is not in question here, rather the stylistic uniformity of many tracks. Overall, Aire y Candela is a mixed bag; however, the exuberant closing track, "Isabel," closes the album in classy fashion. --Bryan Reesman