MARTIRIO — Mucho corazón (review)

Album · 2001 · Latin Jazz

4.5/5 · 2011-01-27
Matt

Martirio (martyrdom, torture in English),( Maribel Quinones) is immediately recognised with the combs in her hair and the presence of sunglasses, although she really does not need the shades, she is very cool without them, when one can sing her native music "Flamenco" in this oustanding style that she has developed since commencing her career in back in 1981 in the Andalusian band "Jarcha" . With the assistance of her son "Raul Rodriguez" who arranges, produces and also plays one great Flamenco guitar they have revitalised their music with a jazz influence but still remaining true to the style. This album "Mucho Corazon" is the third in a trilogy of Latin American classic songs that they have made their own while not playing just a cover but by re-interpretting them in their fashion and style with some beautiful results. Maritrio has that sensual feel that great singers of this music have, she knows how to sing, with a smokey timbre to her voice and that drag that flamenco vocalists use within the lines. Various muscians contribute to tracks with three different Bassists used within but Guillermo McGill is the main man for drums and percussion. We have piano used in three tracks with two contributions by Chano Dominguez and the other by Jesus Lavilla with other small contributions by various artists with claves, cencerro, guiro, rythmn and even feet. Raul Rodriguez Matirio's son does all guitars except the last where he has accompaniment and also provides percussion support for four tracks with various instruments. There are two guests with the first being "Jerry Gonzalez" on trumpet and "Antonio Serrano" on harmonica and both make outstanding contributions to the terxture and feel of the album.

We begin proceedings with a Bolivian tune "Las Palmeras" but transformed into Cuban guaracha and Jerry Gonzalez begins it with one gorgeous muted trumpet which he interjects throughout the song.Raul Rodriguez is simply one outstanding string man who knows when to make those chords like razors and when he strums you sure know and to top it all off we get some great tres with a solo in the song.The second song "Mucho Corazon" the Beny More tune is next given the Martirio treament with an outstanding contribition by Antonio Serrano on harmonica. Two songs combined and both are for number three on the album "Temes/ Por que Ahora" ( You're Afraid/ Why Now ) with a stunning result. Jerry is back with muted trumpet on "Verdad Armaga" ( Bitter Truth) and Martirio's voice is sublime with some great tasty flamenco guitar from Raul. Ten great songs with everyone sung with style, form and beautiful musical accompaniment. Tracks five to eight spring from Portugual, Brazil, Argentina and Venezuela with 'Porque Vas a Venir" giving Jerry another shot with muted trumpet and when we get to "Manana de Carnaval" Chano Dominguez runs the ivorys over with some great play. "Maria Magdelena" is a copla that Martirio plays near the end of every concert and Chano is back on piano and Spanish is really only the description as they know what to do with these tunes with some wonderful guitar work also included by Raul and Paco de Amparo

Modern Flamenco does not get much better than this with a great Jazz mix added through it.