Neotropical Nocturnes

Neotropical Nocturnes

by Jorge Strunz
Neotropical Nocturnes

Neotropical Nocturnes

by Jorge Strunz

CD

$18.99 
  • SHIP THIS ITEM
    Qualifies for Free Shipping
    Choose Expedited Shipping at checkout for delivery by Friday, March 22
  • PICK UP IN STORE
    Check Availability at Nearby Stores

Related collections and offers


Overview

For many years, instrumentalist Jorge Strunz has had a very multicultural outlook. That was evident when he was with the late '70s jazz-fusion band Caldera, and it was equally evident on the '80s, '90s, and 2000s albums that the Costa Rica native recorded with Iranian guitarist Ardeshir Farah as half of the acoustic guitar duo Strunz & Farah. Thankfully, Strunz's multiculturalism doesn't decrease a bit on his solo album Neotropical Nocturnes, which isn't a radical departure from Strunz & Farah's output. Strunz brings so many different influences to this 2010 release (Hispanic as well as Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, and North African) that categorization is difficult. Perhaps the most convenient description of Neotropical Nocturnes would be nuevo flamenco. Certainly, Spanish flamenco guitar is a prominent influence on this 47-minute recording, but Strunz is by no means a flamenco purist -- and he never claimed to be. In fact, the term "nuevo flamenco" implies that one isn't getting traditional flamenco, but rather, a hybrid mixture of flamenco and other styles. There are many influences on Neotropical Nocturnes other than flamenco, including Colombian cumbia on "La Finca," Peruvian lando on "Cielo Playero," and Afro-Cuban music on "La Finca." Meanwhile, "Zambraya" draws on both flamenco and Arabic music, which makes sense because flamenco's Moorish heritage is still evident after all these years. But despite having all those different influences, Neotropical Nocturnes never sounds confused or unfocused. Strunz is an expert when it comes to bringing a variety of influences together and making things sound totally organic rather than forced or unnatural. Those who admired Strunz' work with Ardeshir Farah will be glad to know that his multicultural perspective serves him equally well on Neotropical Nocturnes. ~ Alex Henderson

Product Details

Release Date: 03/16/2010
Label: Selva Inc.
UPC: 0700977101525
Rank: 119992

Tracks

  1. Tocar lo Noche [Play the Night]
  2. Velvet Midnight
  3. De Alicia
  4. Idilios [Idylls]
  5. Teatro del Tiempo [Theater of Time]
  6. La Finca [The Farm]
  7. Zambriya
  8. Cielo Playero [Coastal Sky]
  9. Los Temporales [Rainstorms]
  10. Cadenitas [Little Chains]

Album Credits

From the B&N Reads Blog

Customer Reviews