Gabriela

Another cinematic episode in the continuing Pirates of the Caribbean franchise means another Hans Zimmer soundtrack…right? Well, yes and no. It's true that Zimmer, with his trademarked European sense of flair, has scored Pirates of the Caribbean 4: On Stranger Tides with his usual orchestra and choir, but there are a couple of twists to make things a tad more interesting. Zimmer, a longtime fan of virtuoso acoustic guitar duo Rodrigo y Gabriela from Mexico, decided to incorporate them into his score, which is rich in Latin and flamenco themes. They are prominently featured on no less than five cues here…

This CD of music by Gabriela Lena Frank (b. 1972), titled Compadrazgo, is the type I like to call “out there.” It’s composed, one imagines, on the precipice of the composer’s mind and creative faculties, reaching both inward and outward towards models and inspirations that seem to gestate inside and come out in an almost spontaneous burst of creativity. ...There is no question that the music on Compadrazgo is strange and challenging to Western, non-South American ears, but if you are open to new experiences I think you’ll find it opens new doors to your mind.

Rodrigo Y Gabriela - 9 Dead Alive (2014) {CD+DVD5 NTSC Rubyworks RWXCD110}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 258 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 96 Mb
DVD5 -> 4.21 Gb | All Regions | NTSC 16:9 | Dolby AC3, 2 ch/6 ch / LPCM, 2 ch | ~ 85m | ISO Image
Full Artwork @ 300 dpi (jpg) -> 52 Mb | 5% repair rar
© 2014 Rubyworks Ltd. | RWXCD110
Guitar Virtuoso / Contemporary Flamenco / Finger-Picked Guitar / Instrumental Rock / Latin Rock / Acoustic

Rodrigo y Gabriela's 9 Dead Alive is their first album of new material in five years. Written, arranged, and co-produced by the pair, they deliberately attempt to forgo the Latin influence in their music in favor of an all-rock (albeit still acoustic) approach – which marks a return to their pre-recording roots in heavy metal. (That they don't entirely succeed is part of what makes 9 Dead Alive so compelling.) Each tune was composed for a different inspiration: authors, philosophers, activists, scientists, and a queen. The set was exquisitely recorded in Mexico by Fermin Vasquez Llera. There isn't a dull moment in these 41 minutes. "The Soundmaker," for 19th century luthier and guitarist Antonio de Torres Jurado, commences with Rodrigo's knotty riff and Gabriela's chugging rhythmic vamp.

2017 marks the tenth anniversary of the release of Rodrigo y Gabriela’s breakthrough self-titled album. To celebrate the occasion, the acclaimed Mexican duo have remastered the album and dipped into their archive to share a scintillating live CD/DVD. “Rodrigo y Gabriela” was produced by Rodrigo and Gabriela with John Leckie, best known for his work with Radiohead and The Stone Roses. Affectionately known to fans as “the Crocodile album," the record has gone on to sell 750,000 copies worldwide. The new remaster was done by Robyn Robins, who mastered the original album in 2006. The live album was recorded during a string of shows at The Olympia Theatre in Dublin to coincide with their Irish triumph in 2006, performing tracks from the new album as well as their back catalog.