Alma

It's very difficult to listen to this posthumous album, reissued by EMI on CD in 1997 as part of its 100th anniversary series, without shedding a tear or two. Cogan's sense of release on the opening number, "Let Her Go," and her exuberant phrasing in front of an explosive, percussion-driven orchestral accompaniment, displays a glorious, tragic poignancy. Her version of "Trains and Boats and Planes" isn't much less beguiling, her radiant singing bringing an unexpectedly passionate joy to a song that's often tinged with sadness and angst.

Alma Afrobeat Ensemble was founded in Chicago in 2003 by guitarist Aaron Feder. In 2006 Aaron moved to Barcelona in search of a different sound for the AAbE. He quickly found a group of international members, from all continents of the globe. In a short time the band was reformed and headlined the Fiestizaje music and arts festival in 2008. The band then set about recording their first studio album, Toubab Soul which was released in 2010. Shortly afterwards, they released the remix album, Toubab Resouled, and opened the world music festival Cruilla de Cultures with Konono No 1.

Cristóbal Galán (c.1620-1684) - Canto Del Alma - La Grande Chapelle, Albert Recasens (2010) {2CD Lauda - LAU010}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 432 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 233 Mb
Full Artwork @ 300 dpi (jpg) -> 101 Mb | 5% repair rar
© 2010 Lauda | LAU010
Classical / Baroque / Сappella

Cristóbal Galán was born in Madrid (Spain) around 1625; nothing is known about his musical education or the early stages of his career. Between 1653 and 1664 he acted as "maestro de capilla" in various churches. From 1664 to 1667 he was director of the choir at Segovia Cathedral, and then he was appointed director of music at the convent of the Descalzas Reales. The queen regent wanted him to become director of music at the royal chapel, but this met strong resistance. It was only in 1680 that he obtained this position. It didn't bring him much luck, as he felt that he wasn't appreciated enough. Payments were also often delayed, mainly because of the bad economic state of Spain in the last decades of the 17th century. Not only Galán, but all musicians suffered from this situation.

This is a rather different Chano from the one who first enthralled me with Hecho a Mano (Hand-made), his blazing flamenco/jazz mix recorded in Madrid in 1996 and released on Sunnyside a few years ago. On Con Alma he's replaced the handclaps and multilayered percussion with a traditional jazz trio, bringing on world-class band mates George Mraz and Jeff Ballard. But his roots are still very much in evidence from the first track, a dynamic take on a traditional song—my dictionary tells me "La Tatara" means "sound of a trumpet as a signal for action."

'Monkey See, Monkey Do' is the fourth studio album from Barcelona based internationally touring Alma Afrobeat Ensemble. This release is the natural evolution of Alma Afrobeat Ensemble's unique brand of modern Afrobeat, and their most complete, comprehensive and eclectic work to date. 'Monkey See, Monkey Do' combines all the elements of classic Afrobeat created by Fela Kuti and Tony Allen while maintaining the band's polyrhythmic musical style. The album was recorded, produced and mixed in Barcelona by Fernando Redondo and Aaron Feder.

Egberto Gismonti is one of the finest brazilian musicians ever. As well as a piano and guitar virtuoso, he's a wonderful composer and arranger. This CD, a release of his own label, Carmo, brings to us studio and live piano versions of some of his classics, like "Frevo", "Palhaco", "Loro", "7 anéis" and other true gems.