by Jonathan Widran While the title Europa may have you expecting some sort ofconnection to the Santana masterpiece, what guitarist Chris Spheeris andkeyboardist Paul Voudouris achieve is stirring in its own right. Often when artist credit isbilled to two equals, one winds up playing all the melodies whilethe other provides some supportive harmonic structure. Here, thereis an even trade off. Spheeris takes command acoustically beforehis partner slinks in for an extended solo, and vice versa on thenext track. As is typical of artists associated with the gray areabetween jazz and new age, the two aim for a soothing vibe ratherthan a chops explosion. The effect of the exotic if understatedpercussion is gorgeously hypnotic, like a hang glider soaring intoa fertile terrain of clear sky and wind. Despite the soft veneer,Spheeris stands out as a surprisingly plucky guitar master. Intime, some of the pieces run calmly together. But for all intentsand purposes, it's a conceptual project, so it must be part of thegrand design.