Omar And Cedric: If This Ever Gets Weird

Mississippi-born but Texas-based Omar Kent Dykes understands a fundamental fact about the blues. He knows there are only a handful of rhythms and themes in the blues grab bag, and he uses them all over and over again in slightly different guises, which is far from a bad thing. It is the fundamental conservatism of the blues and its limited palette that has kept the form alive long after its colorful offspring (R&B, soul, rock & roll, etc.) flew the roost, taking a large part of the audience with them. But Omar understands all this. He has had a 30-year career playing these rhythms, and he knows how to keep it all simple, direct, and powerful, and how to build new songs out of the fabric of the old songs without destroying their familiarity.

Pianist Omar Sosa and violinist-vocalist Yilian Cañizares have come together to create Aguas, a very beautiful and personal album. Featuring their compatriot, percussionist Inor Sotolongo, Aguas reflects the perspectives of two generations of Cuban artists living outside their homeland, interpreting their roots and traditions in a subtle and unique fashion. Songs range from the poignant to the exuberant, and are expressive of the exceptional musical chemistry, poetic sensibilities, and originality of the artists.

The guitarist and singer/songwriter Omar Kent Dykes fits the stereotypical image some have of an American blues musician: he's tall, wears cowboy boots, and has a deep voice with a Southern accent. But although Dykes looks rough and tough, he's actually an incredibly peaceful and intelligent musician, and a veteran at working a crowd in a blues club or a festival. While Dykes has a sizable American audience owing to his albums for Columbia Records, he has spent a good portion of his touring years at festivals and clubs around Europe. Omar & the Howlers is a Texas based electric blues and blues rock band, The original Howlers was formed in Hattiesburg, Mississippi in 1973. Three years later they moved to Austin, Texas.

Eight sonorous pieces that rise above themselves. Stylistics serve to be thought further. Doors are torn open, new horizons open up. Interaction. Communication. Fusion. Between the percussionist Kai Strobel, the pianist Katharina Treutler and the Argentinian bandoneon player and composer Omar Massa, something like this is created seemingly without friction. In other words, the best starting conditions for an adventure that light-footedly escapes pigeonholing - regardless of whether it is called tango nuevo, chamber music or jazz. Interpretations of famous pieces by the Argentine composer Astor Piazzolla meet new commissioned works tailored to this ensemble. The common denominator is clearly defined: To create something new for the present.