Ballads, by Omar Sosa

Ballads

by Omar Sosa

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1.	Shirma 03:58	buy track
2.	Raya 06:22	buy track
3.	Tienes Un Solo 07:12	buy track
4.	Antes De Ir Va Esto 09:15	buy track
5.	Para Dos Parados 06:25	buy track
6.	Gracias Senor 05:11	buy track
7.	Twice As Sad 02:53	buy track
8.	Fragile 03:18	buy track
9.	Para Ella 05:20	buy track
10.	Mis Tres Notas 05:04	buy track

about

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), we have included “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 vocalist María Márquez, and “Twice As Sad”, with Sheldon Brown on tenor saxophone. Ballads has a remarkable unity and organic quality, carrying the listener away on a relaxed, dream-like journey. For Omar Sosa fans who may have missed some of his early ensemble recordings, or for those who have enjoyed the quieter, more introspective dimensions of this remarkable artist, Ballads is a must-have. For those new to Omar Sosa, Ballads is a very accessible beginning.

credits

released September 13, 2005

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about

Omar Sosa Oakland, California

Composer, pianist, and bandleader Omar Sosa’s musical trajectory traces the Diaspora from Africa to Cuba and Brazil; from Central America to Ecuador’s African-descent communities; from San Francisco and New York to his current home base in Barcelona. True to his Afro-Cuban origins, Sosa fashions a spirited vision of uncompromising artistic generosity that embraces humanity at large. ... more