Free: (adj.) Enjoying personal freedom :
not subject to the control or domination of another.
From the various definitions that the word FREE has, this one was the closest to describing this piece of illuminating work.
DJ Afro is Jose Luis Pardo, lead guitarist and songwriter for the acclaimed Grammy-winning Venezuelan funksters, Los Amigos Invisibles. Nacional Records is proud to present their next gem; DJ Afro's debut album, "Free".
In this album, DJ Afro plays it safe by keeping that one-of-a-kind swagger that categorizes Los Amigos Invisibles, and by this I mean that you will overcome a variety of rhythms condensed together for that special and exquisite touch of latin gozadera! Although there is much resemblance to his work with Los Amigos Invisibles (as you will see when you reach a track called "Recuerdos" ft. Pedro Perez), DJ Afro's creative pledge to make music does revolutionize in his solo work.
Free is the opening track, and my favorite at that. Reason being, it opens the album with a soothing melody that flows as in a peaceful river and nothing else. I'm not too fond of the first 15 seconds tho', just because it sounds like the introduction to those videos they play in a TACA flight before departure, which speaking of, DJ Afro invites artists such as Heather Buck, Carlos Fraga, and Kate Atherton to embark on this adventure.
One of those "featuring" songs that caught my attention was Rata featuring the Venezuelan experimental and tropical junkie, Gianko. Rata is a hip and enjoyable soft cumbia villera with electric guitars and the straightforward message sent to someone that effed' up a friendship, ever so cleverly comparing them to a "Rata de dos patas" (as Paquita la del Barrio would proudly state).
Sunset at Davis Park (Is Brazil Overrated?) is one of those tracks that make you travel to another destination without having to pack, waste money, and change from your pj's. These type of tracks are the ones that amuse me the most because they have the power to make me vicariously enjoy other parts of the world through just music. This time I am departing to the carnival country of all, Brazil and even to Davis Park in New York City. Whatever the case and/or mood, the elevating rhythms, digitalized samba, and sensual bossanova makes Sunset at Davis Park (Is Brazil Overrated?) an intense and complacent track.
Other recommendations: Quedate a dormir, Right Here, Donde Estas?, Me Haces Falta
"Free"
Purchase via iTunes >> http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/free/id414127845
Official website >> http://elafro.com
01 Free
02 Este Bolero Es para Ti (feat. Heather Buck)
03 Recuerdos (feat. Pedro Perez)
04 Sunset In Davis Park (Is Brazil Overrated?)
05 Quedate a Dormir
06 Asheville
07 Right Here (feat. Kate Atherton)
08 Rata (feat. Gianko)
09 Donde Estas? (feat. Guillermo Carrasco)
10 Vivir (feat. Carlos Fraga)
11 Me Haces Falta
by Jessica Roiz
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