~ Colores del Alma ~
Colors of the Soul
1. Domingo en Mont Royal
This is my favorite tune from the new CD. The inspiration came while hanging out on Mont Royal in the middle of Montreal Canada. Every Sunday a bunch of people gather to jam out on percussion. The opening guitar part popped in my head while listening to them.
2. Salsera
Slamm'n Salsa tune with screaming horns. This track is the one that gets everyone going at the gigs. I really enjoy performing it and watching heads turn on the solo break. The horns made this track come alive. Best if heard with a margarita.
Horns arranged by Ed Calle.
3. Lost in Bruges
I literally got lost in Bruges, Belgium but one can simply get lost in its 16th century beauty. Yes, that's my voice in the pre chorus sections. Lots of effects to cover up my weak tone. In retrospect I wish I had put a flute or violin there instead of my voice.
4. Gato Negro
Fun up tempo Rumba named after an incredibly acrobatic and playful cat that hung out on my old studio's porch. I use to watch this cat jump around wildly for no apparent reason....I'm talking back-flips of the railing here.
5. Cinco por Cinco (Five by Five)
Smooth Jazz style Mambo entitled Cinco por Cinco because the main melody is in all 5th... I was expecially happy with the solo on this track. It was pretty much a once take deal without any chords behind it. Afterwards, I recorded the chords based on the solo and the end result was very pretty cool. Usually I compose the chord structure of the solo sections before recording the solos. This alternate method allowed for a more free flowing aproach with out any harmonic limitations.
6. For Our Heroes
This is my dedication to all the people who have given their lives for this country. Soldiers, Astronauts, Civilians etc...I appreciate their sacrifice and bravery. I will never forget the events that have taken place on 9-11. The emotion of this tune has been building up inside me since then. It finally came together after watching the Columbia explode and the threat of war in Iraq.
7. Laurie
A ballad composed in the Summer of 2002 for the girl I was dating. It was oringally improvized during a romantic night under a canopy of stars on a moonlit beach.
8. El Gitano y la Guitarra Azul
Jazz influenced composition with hardcore Rumba Flamenca in the middle. The time signature on this tune feels rather wierd in the 1st and 3rd parts. It's a 3-3-2 8th note pattern over a 4/4 measure at 120bpm.
9. Playa Delray
A Mambo dedicated to all the wonderful people of Delray Beach Florida that continue to come hear me play week after week. I love the style of horns on this track. It reminds me of the the music I played in the FAU jazz enselmble. Thanks again Ed!
Horns arranged by Ed Calle.
10. Primavera
A tune lightly based on the Flamenco Tango rhythm. I especially like the bridge and solo.
11. Desert Moon
This is an Arabic sounding track in the style of Strunz and Farah. There are a couple of aggressive guitar solos on this track. I think the guitar sound is really nice as well. I can't remember where I placed the microphones on that session....
12. Bach in Miami
This is an arrangement of the Prelude from J. S. Bach's Prelude and Fugue in C minor. I've been wanting to do something with this piece for years. I use to give this to my advanced students to practice their picking and finger positions. For fun I added a light Rumba/Salsa in the middle for the improv section and then back to the Prelude for the end/fade out. Jeff Carswell improvized a monster bass line on this track which elevated it to another level.
Please email me if any of these links don't work.
Back To Top