There's a simple, basic, and direct approach that pervades the duets from pianist Camilo and acoustic guitarist Tomatito. But that seemingly bottom-line approach is transcended by the brilliant musicianship of these two players, as they play ultra-melodic music to its ultimate zenith time and time again. The tone is set from the get go as they languish in the freedom of Rodrigo and Chick Corea's "Spain," played as perfectly and spirited as anyone could want. But "Besame Mucho" is changed up, interpreted in loose associations extrapolated out of strict time on this famous melody. Tomatito wrote two of the eight tracks as the pair use a combination of counterpoint and unison lines, approaching sheer telepathy on the brightly melodic "A Mi Nino Jose," while evoking more Chick Corea-isms with melodies passionately flying about on "La Vacilona." Two compositions by the underappreciated Luis Salinas are included as the urgent 4/4 of "Para Troilo Y Salgan" shows Camilo and Tomatito to be the virtuosic speed demons their preceding reputations evince, while "Aire De Tango" is like a samba version of "I Concentrate on You," nicely warmed with a calmed guitar solo. Camilo's lone writing on "Two Much/Love Theme" is also restrained and relaxed, atypical for the usually fiery pianist. This is a recording that bears ripe, luscious fruit, albeit only 45 minutes worth. A follow-up please. Recommended. Michael G. Nastos
Tracklist :
1. Spain Intro (Concierto de Aranjuéz de Joaquín Rodrigo) 3:21
2. Spain (Chick Corea) 5:32
3. Bésame Mucho (Consuelo Velázquez) 7:50
4. A Mi Niño José (Tomatito-Bajandí S.L.) 4:48
5. Two Much / Love Theme (Michel Camilo) 5:55
6. Para Troilo Y Salgán (Luis Salinas) 5:59
7. La Vacilona (Tomatito-Bajandí S.L.) 5:25
8. Aire De Tango (Luis Salinas) 6:33
Credits :
Arranged By – Michel Camilo, Tomatito
Guitar [Flamenca] – Tomatito
Piano – Michel Camilo
20.8.25
MICHEL CAMILO & TOMATITO — Spain (2000) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless
19.8.25
MICHEL CAMILO & TOMATITO — Spain Again (2006) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless
Michel Camilo, the New York-based, Dominican-born pianist, and Tomatito,
the Spanish flamenco guitarist, recorded a well-received duets album
called Spain in 2000, and this sequel is intended to take the
collaboration to the next level. Spain Again does. It's a bravura
performance that pushes both men into strange and satisfying new
territories and spotlights the abilities of each to find places where
they are mutually comfortable and inspired. As on the first pairing, the
musicianship is flawless throughout, the two virtuosos dancing around
each other's melodies, creating fascinating, harmonious bridges,
building upon and toying with structural ideas beyond what each
composition calls for. Camilo's complex jazz piano inventions suddenly
give way to Tomatito's spellbinding acoustic guitar runs; the two meet
someplace in the middle, enjoy the freedom that unfettered exploration
allows, and emerge with new entities that only an alliance of equals can
bring about. The pace is set quickly with "El Dia Eque Me Quieras," a
tribute to tango legend Astor Piazzolla, moves through various originals
and standards (a silky, semi-classical "Stella by Starlight" is both
graceful and awe-inspiring in its mastery) and eventually finds its way
to the only vocal piece on the album, "Amor de Conuco," sung by guest
Juan Luis Guerra. Strangely, though the vocal is quite lovely, it's a
mood-breaker, diminishing the evocative elegance that Camilo and
Tomatito have spent much of the past hour laying out. Jeff Tamarkin
Tracklist :
1 El Dia Que Me Quieras 5:17
Carlos Gardel
2 Libertango 4:08
Astor Piazzolla
3 Fuga y Misterio 3:51
Astor Piazzolla
4 Adios Nonino 7:17
Astor Piazzolla
5 Stella by Starlight 3:29
Ned Washington
6 Twilight Glow 5:13
Michel Camilo
7 A Los Nietos 4:36
Tomatito
8 La Tarde 2:02
Tomatito
9 La Fiesta 6:00
Chick Corea
10 From Within 6:21
Michel Camilo
11 Amor de Conuco 4:08
Juan Luis Guerra
Credits :
Alto Vocals – Juan Luis Guerra
Flamenco Guitar – Tomatito
Piano – Michel Camilo
MICHEL CAMILO & TOMATITO — Spain Forever (2016) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless
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For the first time in this series this is progressive jazz rock, doing without any vocals but featuring an alto saxophone and occasionally ...
