Two perspectives on the new Aurelio album, Laru Beya, up today at Blurt. One of them is mine…I said:
“Martinez's second album, Laru Beya brings in not just the Garifuna influences of Martinez's childhood, but, through guest appearances, a global palette of sounds. Youssou N'Dour, who was assigned to Martinez through the Rolex Mentor and Protege Arts Initiative, sings on some of the tracks, memorably on "Wamada." Senegal's Orchestra Baobob supplies a sinuous swing in others. There's an island-slinky, reggae-esque horn line swaggering through "Nuwaruguma," a butt-shaking samba beat under the West African call and response of "Ereba." The title track juxtaposes back-slanting, upbeat-popping Caribbean rhythms with a melting warmth and ease.
None of that would matter if the songs weren't good, but the fact is that they are. In any case, the songs fit together so well that you can't even tell where one tradition begins and the other ends. If it's all one world, as the cliché goes, and perhaps it's all one song as well.
The remainder of my review
The other guy, who apparently got liner notes and credits (I got an unmarked disc in a paper sleeve) concluded:
Belizean producer Ivan Duran, long experienced in Central American music adds sparkling technique, tastes and sounds to some masterful tunes. His tremolo guitar adds a special glow and extra texture. Beside Aurelio's virtuoso vocals and the wonderful backup singers, the star is the massive percussion. Everything under the sun is here - congas, maracas, shakers, tama drums, Garifuna drums, saber drum, turtle shells, calabash, bongos, conch shells and of course the jawbone of an ass - all artfully recorded and presented. A minor masterpiece has arrived, dedicated to Andy Palacio and presented with love to the Garifuna people.
Lee’s review
“Laru Beya”
“Tio Sam”
Also, Evan Hanlon from Dusted really hates the new White Fence, which I still haven’t heard yet, but it sounds like he wouldn’t have liked the first one either. We both still like the Soft Pack though, I think.
His scathing review.
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2 comments:
I'm sold. Sounds great. Love Baobob.
Yes, but which of us sold you?
I have an Orchestra Baobob CD that I remember liking very much, but hardly anything else about it. Have to dig it out again.
Nice to hear from you Cody. It's been a while, hasn't it? Are you done with school now?
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