New Reviews: May 9, 2001
Once Cuentos De Amor
Maria Marquez
Palm Pictures
Maria Marquez is an outstanding international singer from Venezuela. On
Once Cuentos De Amor, She performs passion-filled love ballads in the bolero
form. The bolero instrumentation is very smooth and subtle. The tracks
contain soft textures created by the piano, flamenco guitar, vibes,
clarinet, rattles, shakers, didgeridoo and accordion. Maria's mature vocal
style compliments the assorted instruments. Once Cuentos De Amor will
definitely bring pleasure to fans of smooth bolero/latin music.
Puro Blazers
The Blazers
Rounder
The Blazers are a Latin roots music group from East Los Angeles. They
combine their Mexican heritage with American rock influences. Puro Blazers
is their first all-Spanish language album that combines traditional and
contemporary instruments and styles. Bass, drums, electric guitars,
accordions, timbales, trumpets and various percussion instruments
beautifully augment The Blazers deep Mexican-American history and culture.
Overall, the songs are very upbeat and melodic. Also, the liner notes
include the Spanish lyrics to all of the songs. Puro Blazers is a real
treat for fans of Tejano and Latin Rock/Polka music.
El Hechizo De Babilonia
Luis Delgado
Nubenegra Records
Luis Delgado's fascination with 11th and 12th century feminie poetry led him
to produce an album of Spanish traditional music that was typical under the
Moorish stronghold. Beautiful female and male vocals reflect the passionate
and provocative Moorish messages in musical poem form. The instrumentation
is also an important part of this recording. Spanish, gypsy, Indian,
European and oriental musical elements are fused to form an addictive
musical stew. Contemporary and traditional instruments are used including,
the kazal, flute, dumbek, tabla, oud, tar, saz, tamboura, keyboard and other
assorted percussion instruments. Moreover, Luis used authentic instruments
from his Instrument Museum in Valladolid, Spain. The famed percussion
maestro, Hossam Ramzy, makes a guest appearance on this truly wonderful
recording. The occasionally intense, but intriguing vocals, beautiful
instrumentation, and detailed liner notes, make El Hechizo De Babilonia a
valuable jewel of historical Moorish music.
Reviews by Matthew J. Forss.
