Initially released in the year 2000, Karl Z�ro's first album, a little pop gem, reached cult status. Inside this tribute to extreme cocktail music, space age pop and late Fifties' exotica, audiences discovered thirteen deliciously 'vintage' acid drops, cha cha chas and other ritmos locos... Produced by Karl Z�ro and Alexandre Desplat, the album, recorded in Karl's own inimitable, singer/talk-show presenter style, contains a mischievous mix of poetry and humour that takes Henri Salvador, Daisy d'Errata and Eric Laug�rias for a ride in the wake of Marino Marini, Xavier Cugat or Mikis Theodorakis. A kind of musical U.F.O., this record adorned one of the most remarkable X-Files episodes and met with international success.

An artist at heart - and in spirit - Do Montebello continues the work she began with Adamah in 2014, with this recording that confirms her immense talents as a jazz vocalist. She sings wonderfully in English, Portuguese and French, delivering poetic Brazilian savours filled with delicacy. Her voice has rare precision, and her composing and performance make her a singer of inestimable value in today's jazz. She's in magni-ficent company too, with the excellent Jaques Morelenbaum and Toninho Horta contributing to this opus, made with some of the best musicians in Brazil.

The “Gaucho” (a person born in the state of Rio Grande do Sul) had his origin in the pampas (extensive grassy plains in Rio Grande do Sul). These were the simple peoes (peasants). The teatino used to live in the pampas (Uruguay, Argentina and Brazil). Teatino are men without fixed work or homes, so-called “free” men. The origin of the word “Gaucho” itself is uncertain. Today it means a ‘country person, experienced in traditional livestock farmin’ and even extends to the rural working class in general. This music is lively and perfect for dancing, and utilizes the accordion as the main instrument, accompanied by guitar, bass, and drums.

This release is a collection of beautiful and traditional children's songs as well as a fun and effective way for any family to learn and practice Colombian Spanish. The complete Colombian Spanish lyrics and English translations are included with this release. Having graduated Magna Cum Laude from the Berklee College of Music, after receiving the Best Achievement Scholarship, Marta G�mez has developed an extensive music career which has placed her as one of the most interesting singer songwriters on the world music scene today. Marta and her group perform a repertoire of original compositions based on a vast amount of rhythms from Latin America. On her songs, Marta mixes the joy of the Caribbean with the nostalgia of the Andes adding jazz and pop elements, taking the authenticity of South American indigenous folk music into a new realm.

Rafael performs and composes different genres of Latin music repertoire, but he is known mostly as a composer and interpreter of merenguero and bachatero music from his home country, the Dominican Republic. After an illustrious career as a musician and singer with various musical groups, Rafael embarked on a solo career as a bandleader with his live orchestra Rafael & Energia Dominicana in 2008. “… We can’t all go south in the winter, so the next best thing is to feel the warmth, energy and love that permeates this wonderful album of Latin music… After many spins, I still get a change out of its upbeat and pulsating vibe.” (The Senior Times) “…This is an energetic and very well produced album that rivals some of the best recordings of Latin music in the world.” (Musicomania.ca) “…As good as Latin music gets as far as I am concerned. What a great band, it’s obvious where the name comes from.” (CultMontreal)

The Latin Sextet was founded in the 1990s. It's members, all of them seasoned musicians, hail from Brazil, Chile and Germany. In their music, they combine Latin American tradition with European and American styles. The six-piece band present folkloristic melodies from Brazil or Cuba, driven by Brazilian/Cuban rhythms fused with jazzy harmonies. The sizzling hot result could be called "Latin Jazz." The Latin Sextet is Gerd Marino, Jonas Mo, Carsten Ulbricht, Mauricio Calquin, and Rogerio Jardim. The group is joined for these recordings by some of the most talented Latin and jazz musicians on the scene today, including Victor Hugo Ormeno, Griselle Colon, and Geppino Guadagno.

REFERENCE RECORDINGS is proud to announce "Reencuentros," Cecilia Duarte’s first solo album, produced by multiple-time Producer of the Year GRAMMY® winner, Blanton Alspaugh. Cecilia is best known as a classical and opera singer. This album is a departure, containing 12 romantic boleros from multiple countries. Sung in Spanish, these Latin popular standards are truly art songs from the mid-20th century. Cecilia is accompanied by Trio Chapultepec: Vincent A. Pequeño, Israel Alcala, and William Carlton Galvez, joined by Jesús Pacheco on percussion.

REVIEW:

Mezzo-soprano Cecilia Duarte, born in Chihuahua, Mexico, now makes her home in the United States. Reencuentros is her debut solo album for Reference Recordings. The album, dedicated to Duarte’s mother, and conceived during the pandemic, offers a collection of boleros.

The featured repertoire is by composers from Peru, Ecuador, Brazil, Argentina, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Cuba, and Chile. It’s clear that her chosen repertoire is close to the singer’s heart. She sings the various boleros with a lovely and rich tone, aligned with phrasing that is both elegant and seductive. Duarte allows these songs to make their impression without vocal or interpretive overreaching. And because of her keen, subtle artistry, the result is mesmerizing. The musicians collaborating with Duarte, offering both instrumental and vocal support, complement the mezzo’s refined approach.

The recording, typical of RR, is superb, featuring an ideal natural balance of presence, color, and detail. The booklet includes Duarte’s comments on the songs, as well as full Spanish texts and English translations. This recital is a winner in every respect.

-- Fanfare