Blue Wolf Reviews

Tag: spanish

  • LA MUJER QUE YO QUIERO

    LA MUJER QUE YO QUIERO

    Raw, pure and exceptional, the latest album La mujer que yo quiero from David Broza is flamenco based, sung in fluent Spanish and is an absolute gem of a recording.

    Originally recorded by Broza forty years ago, when Spanish style flamenco music was all the rage, he has over the years sung the various tracks in English, Spanish and Hebrew, always to great acclaim. The Hebrew version Ha’isha She’iti is still the most successful album in Israel’s music history.

    Nine tracks make up the album, each one a unique window into a timeless space of beat and rhythm that crosses boundaries, returning to the very root of Spanish music, enhanced with a rustic vocal sound.

    For those old enough to have enjoyed the flamenco sound of the 1970’s and ‘80’s the popular piece Por Tu Ausencia, brings back that wonderful foot tapping rhythm that lifts the heart, lightens the spirit and is simply put, a walk down memory lane.

    Exceptional guitar work graces the delightfully romantic Ramito de Violetas. It could be an ode to a bunch of beautiful violets but is more likely a love song to a beautiful senorita.

    Recorded in one day, the depth of emotion that has gone into each of the pieces has captured perfectly the southern Andalusian gypsy style of music, now referred to as new flamenco and is once again gaining popularity

    La mujer que yo quiero: A man, a guitar and music from one of the most flamboyantly romantic countries in the world, translated through the perfection of not just the flamenco music, but also the sensual dance, full of passion, love, regret and adoration, has been captured in the very essence of the music with great intensity and passion, presenting once again Broza in a fresh new light.

    La mujer que yo quiero: an uninhibited, delightful trip down memory lane.

  • The Word

    The Word

    Intriguing and introspective, William lane has used language to great effect in this somewhat quirky look at the human psyche in all its wonderous flamboyance. Kendric is a rather unusual advertising oddity in that he has ability to create advertising slogans that inspire people to buy the brands that he sells.

    His love of words becomes apparent when he is deconstructing his wife’s knitting pattern, looking at the words used as descriptive instruction, while they share the miniature of their day in a somewhat restrained manner.

    He talks about the restaurant where he goes for lunch, the waitress appears to be Spanish, she ponders on the disappointment that is her husband, wondering if she will ever understand him.

    Things begin to change in Kendric’s very limited world with the arrival of a new Manager for The Firm, a man on the up in the world of advertising, a man he knew as a junior, a man who is expecting results and fast!

    Kendric finds himself adrift in a newer more aggressive advertising world, a world where he is expected to deliver the right words quickly, not in his usual style of slow consideration. This new workday world sees him venturing into social diversions, something so foreign it is almost frightening, challenging all he thought he understood in his limited scope of lifestyle.

    A new secretary Maria proves to be the catalyst to change, encouraging Kendric to leave all that is familiar and move into a ‘commune’ style of living that focuses on the power of words, known to its members as The Word.

    But as with all things idyllic, trouble comes to The Word in the way of conflict, change, and once again, these influences force Kendric into reviewing the world he has ingeniously inhabited in his search for nirvana, for perfection.

    William Lane has devised a deliciously fascinating perspective, with a cast of idealistic introverts who somehow, by the end page, have all become firm personal friends, offering a wonderful perspective on life that suggests so many of the options presented in the wonderful world of words, connecting people in so many diverse and fascinating ways.

    The Word is not a conventional read but a read that does become addictive.

  • Azul

    Azul

    Just simply jump right into this latest realise from talented and much acclaimed guitarist Johannes Linstead as he takes a Caribbean journey accords the world with his distinct instrumental jazz styles which are as always flamboyant, cheerful, pulsating, reflective and overall, fun.

    Each of the pieces has been carefully selected to give a variation of style and theme with Linstead singing on Be My Girl, a rarity indeed. His slightly raspy tone adds a little something special to this well-loved track that takes it into another level entirely.

    The introduction to the album is the fast paced Latin beat Azul, which in Spanish means blue, that could easily be in tribute to the vibrant blue of the clear waters of the Caribbean dancing in the sunlight, or for that matter the colours of the ocean to be found in so many places.

    Cha Cha Chu simply keeps the vibe happening with a wonderful addition of trumpets, giving it that very definite Caribbean flavour, that brassy big band swing jazz element that gets the blood pumping and the feet dancing.

    Surrender to me changes the pace a little with a slightly more relaxed, almost dreamy piece on guitar with some gentle vocals to fill the background. This piece allows the imagination to simply float and enjoy the moment.

    Some strong acoustic work with deep overtones of a more generational beat sets Heaven Meets Earth apart as it shifts and changes from the melodic to the definitive. Trippy and fast, featuring the native flute is Dance of the Shaman, once again changing pace with Linstead’s signature style of mixing the traditional beat with the slightly more exotic.

    Winding down and yet up is Friday Night at the Babaluu which has a little bit of everything in the composition. Fast almost hypnotic guitar, backed with some seriously good piano, brass and bass this track is definitely reminiscent of Fridays nights somewhere in the world winding down from that rather hectic week.

    Finishing a deliciously enjoyable, happy, fun filled album is the instrumental version of Be My Baby. This lovely rendition creates a fitting and almost traditional finale to a time of enjoyment where the mood is relaxed, romantic; the atmosphere sated with the pure pleasure of the beauty to be found.

    Azul brings a smile to the heart and beat to the feet, and as with all his music is totally, 100% enjoyable. How much better can you get?

    Azul was nominated for the recently held Zone Music Awards 2018 in the Best World Album category.