http://linktvstore.org/New Music From Omar Sosa on Calabash Music2008-12-04T02:06:40ZThe Calabash Music Teamsupport@calabashmusic.comMulatoshttp://omarsosa.linktvstore.org/#album_597512006-12-12T07:40:55ZMusic from MulatosHow to be true to a music tradition and be part of the world at large? To be a modern artist (and consequently a traveler), without dismissing your roots? Omar Sosa searches out new sounds for a music that is simultaneously his own, and part of an Afro-Cuban culture. Mulatos is a fitting description for the kind of approach Omar is adopting - a mix of Cuban music that dances with rhythmic inspirations of Indian tabla, jazz drums, and studio mixing. Listening to the voices of the Arabic lute, the oud, a fore runner of the Cuban tres, and European clarinet melodies reminding him of Paquito D’Rivera and the repertoire of the great Cuban masters, Omar Sosa's unique way of imagining how this can fit together and making the leap to realize the recording of it, is what makes him stand out as a very modern musician - an inventive and courageous artist.

The album Mulatos features the highly individual talents of Dhafer Youssef (oud), Steve Argüelles (drums, electronics), Dieter Ilg (double bass), Philippe Foch (tabla), and Renaud Pion (clarinets). With the exception of Omar Sosa, the relation to Cuban music for these musicians is somewhat removed, though respectful and engaging. Omar’s extraordinary abilities as a composer, pianist, marimba percussionist (new here to many of his followers) and his authoritative leadership threads this together beautifully to create a major development for a Cuban jazz artist.

Joining the project as special guest on clarinet for three compositions, someone whose artistry Omar has admired for many years, is Paquito D’Rivera (tracks 1, 2, 6).

Producer Steve Argüelles remarks, “It's an album that is tightly constructed, like movie editing in the sense that the clarity of musical ideas are presented to maximum effect, be it a simple melody, a curious rhythm, or an electronic touch here and there. It remains rich, too, in the way that a favorite record is what you keep returning to, an important objective of ours. It tells a story about Omar’s relation to jazz, Afro-Cuban rhythms and spirituality, the piano, and a freely expressive mind”.]]>Sentirhttp://omarsosa.linktvstore.org/#album_597872007-12-01T09:52:23ZMusic from SentirContinuing the development his groundbreaking World-Jazz sound, Cuban composer and pianist Omar Sosa combines traditional vocals and rhythms from Cuba, Morocco and Venezuela with contemporary jazz harmonies and spoken word in an extraordinary new recording full of passion and spontaneity. Featured on the CD are Moroccan vocalist and multi-instrumentalist El Houssaine Kili, Cuban/Yoruba vocalist Martha Galarraga, and Venezuelan percussionist Gustavo Ovalles.

As part of his ongoing exploration of the African roots of music in the Americas, Omar's concept for Sentir involves each musician using his or her own folkloric expressions and finding a common musical vocabulary for communication and improvisation. Another part of Omar's approach involves the use of color as the basis of musical expression and the commonality of these 'spiritual zones' or trance states within the African Diaspora. The result is a fresh and poignant sound - one that celebrates the strong affinity of traditional musical roots and religious ceremonies in these cultures.

Omar brings together the guembri, a traditional musical instrument from the Gnawa culture of North Africa, with bata drums, and Afro-Venezuelan percussion instruments such as the quitipla and culo e' puya. The guembri replaces the usual acoustic bass, and the darbukkah and tan-tan, both percussion instruments from Morocco, often replace the smaller bata drums. Several tracks feature the lyrics of Washington, DC-based spoken word artist Sub-Z. Also contributing to the project are San Francisco-based percussionist John Santos and a number of Moroccan musicians including Yassir Chadly, Bouchaib Abdelhadi, and Moulay M'Hamed Enneji Fakihan (Nass Marrakech).]]>Ballads (Compilation 1997-2000)http://omarsosa.linktvstore.org/#album_597992006-12-12T07:40:55ZMusic from Ballads (Compilation 1997-2000)While Omar Sosa is often lauded for his high-energy, percussive piano style, he has also a profound sense of expression in the delicate, lyrical realm. In this collection of ballads, loosely defined, taken from four of his early recordings, we are treated to a listening experience of beautiful melody and rich harmony, full of romanticism and grace – all with a Latin jazz heart.

The compilation opens with Omar Sosa's signature ballad, “Mis Tres Notas”, taken from his first ensemble recording, Free Roots (OTA1003) , and closes with the beautiful love song, “Shirma”, taken from the same album, and featuring the artistry of reedman Sheldon Brown on bass clarinet. Also from Free Roots , we find “Raya”, this time with Sheldon Brown on alto saxophone.

From Omar Sosa's second ensemble CD, Spirit Of The Roots (OTA1005) , are taken “Para Ella”, with Sheldon Brown on tenor saxophone, “Antes De Ir Va Esto”, featuring John Calloway on flute and Orestes Vilato on timbal, and “Tienes Un Solo”, featuring the divine Anastacia Newkirk on vocals.

From the final recording of Omar Sosa's Roots Trilogy, Bembón (OTA1007) , we find “Gracias Señor” and “Para Dos Parados”, both featuring poignant string arrangements, and the later featuring the exquisite vocal styling of María Márquez. Finally, from the groundbreaking CD, Prietos (OTA1008) , come two very delicate pieces, “Fragile”, again featuring María Márquez, and “Twice As Sad”, with Sheldon Brown on tenor saxophone.

Ballads has a remarkable unity and organic quality, allowing the listener to let go into a magical, dream-like state. For those Omar Sosa fans who may have missed some of his early ensemble recordings and for those who have enjoyed the quieter, more introspective dimensions of this remarkable artist, Ballads is a must-have.]]>Ayagunahttp://omarsosa.linktvstore.org/#album_598482006-12-12T07:40:55ZMusic from AyagunaIn this new live Duo recording, Omar celebrates his ongoing collaboration with Venezuelan percussionist Gustavo Ovalles. These two kindred spirits have been performing together since 1999, delighting audiences throughout Europe, Japan and the United States with their inspired musical chemistry and creativity.

Ayaguna was recorded at Motion Blue in Yokohama, Japan, the newest of the Blue Note venues in that country, in July 2002. The intimate duo setting allows Omar to exult freely and passionately at the piano (Inside and out), moving with ease from intensive groove patterns to delicate, balladic modes of expression.

The performance is enhanced by the live interaction of the Motion Blue sound engineer, who provides an undulating dimension of audio effects throughout the concert. While the various sound effects interact with the piano performance, Gustavo's percussion accompaniment provides a steady base for the aural feast.

Gustavo is featured on a number of interesting Venezuelan percussion instruments including quitiplas and culo'e puya, as well as congas, bongo, maracas, guiro, snare and cymbals. An extraordinary synergy and sensitivity between the two musical voices is evident throughout the recording.

The title, Ayaguna , is taken from Ifa, the religious practice of the Yoruba culture of West Africa, and its New World offspring in Cuba (known as Santeria). Ayaguna is one of the paths of Obatala, the deity of peace and wisdom, albeit a path of Obatala as a young and fierce warrior, for whom revolution is a necessary part of change and progress. Both Omar and Osvaldo are "sons" of Obatala in their practice of Santeria, from which they draw much inspiration.]]>Spirit of the Rootshttp://omarsosa.linktvstore.org/#album_598622006-12-12T07:40:55ZMusic from Spirit of the RootsSpirit of the Roots is an extraordinary fusion of Afro Cuban popular music, Afro Ecuadorian rhythms, hip-hop, and the free-spirited experimentation of jazz.]]>Bembonhttp://omarsosa.linktvstore.org/#album_598742006-12-12T07:40:55ZMusic from Bembon]]>Prietoshttp://omarsosa.linktvstore.org/#album_598882006-12-12T07:40:55ZMusic from PrietosWith Prietos, Omar Sosa continues to blaze new musical trails with his explosive mix of sounds from Cuba, Morocco, Esmeraldas (Ecuador), and the United States. Voices from many parts of the African Diaspora find joyful expression in this fresh, passionate, extraordinary recording.]]>