Terio - Eternally I Wait For You

Terio - Eternally I Wait For You
2009, Rosemine Group, LLC

Terio was born in Costa Rica to Cuban parents and grew up near Washington, D.C. As a child his parents regaled him with stories of Cuba in the years leading up to Castro’s revolution and this has had a profound influence on his artistry as a singer and songwriter. Terio’s sound owes a great deal to influences such as Desi Arnaz, Perez Prado and Celia Cruz, but is also shaped by his time in the south of France and his life in the US. Terio’s debut EP, Eternally I Wait For You, shows off this delicious blend of styles, a musical feel that harkens back to the glory days of Cuban music, and a voice that’s absolutely unforgettable.

Terio opens with Ma Cherie, a sultry piece of Latin R&B with a vaguely Baroque feel. Terio mixes orchestration with modern electronic elements for a sure-fire winner. The music is intriguing, and Terio's voice is like liquid silk, pulling everything together without a seam. His is perhaps one of the more pleasant voices you'll find. Suave Cha-Cha-Cha us a highly danceable song that sounds modern without ignoring the classic roots of the sound. The Rose is a musical tale; perhaps even a parable for falling for things or people that aren't good for us. The narrator knows he's in over his head and still can't pull away. Mi Corazon brings the tempo down a bit, but is ridden by a dance beat that seems out of place. The vocal line is great but the arrangement is a bit distracting. Terio closes out with Shake Shake, a catchy and fun tune that would be a major dance hit with the right mix. Either way it's a great tune and the vocals are primo.

Terio creates Latin music with a classic feel that's convertible to Pop but doesn't impoverish the music with tacky dance beats. Eternally I Wait For You is like witnessing the sun rise; even if you've seen it before it's still a thing of beauty. Terio has a voice that would allow him to record answering service messages and turn them into hits. The materially here is a perfect fit, and Eternally I Wait For You vaults from anonymity to essential just like that.

Rating: 4.5 Stars (Out of 5)

You can learn more about Terio from www.teriomusic.com/teriosite or www.myspace.com/teriomusic. You can purchase Eternally I Wait For You as a download from Amazon.com or iTunes.

Review: Ramon Taranco - Music From The Bermuda Triangle/The Adventures Of Bo Segovia

Ramon Taranco – Music From The Bermuda Triangle/The Adventures Of Bo Segovia
1992/2007, Havana Blue Music/SOCAN

Ramon Taranco’s back story is impressive in itself. Born in Cuba, Taranco’s parents fled Cuba for political reasons on the verge of Castro’s Communist Revolution. Moving to Toronto, Taranco’s life would be forever changed by the appearance of The Beatles on The Ed Sullivan Show. Picking up a guitar and never looking back, Taranco moved from 1970’s hard rock through various styles under discovering the blues, and ultimately, nylon string guitars. Taranco went on to develop a highly personal style that is distinctive and unique. His debut album, Music From The Bermuda Triangle, was released in 1992 while Taranco was living in Toronto. Now living in New York City, Taranco released a 2nd recording, The Adventures Of Bo Segovia, in 2007.

Music From The Bermuda Triangle pens with The Snow Scorpion, a delicious flamenco tune with incredible movement and subtle yet profound shading. The minimalist support arrangement allows for just enough tension to really suck in the listener. Yoruba Cuba reminds me heavily of one of The Brothers Creeggan's more experimental pieces; Jazz, World, Cuban and even African influences can be heard in this incredibly dynamic piece. Mantiki I and Mantiki II seem to draw from South American musical traditions in highly rhythmic, danceable compositions. Tango Solito is a sneaky little tune that will wiggle its way into your subconscious. It's unusual to find an understated song with so much energy. Sugar Cane Rider is a high energy funk/pop hybrid with its roots firmly planted in the Motown tradition. This is an entertaining song with a high commercial ceiling. You'll also want to check out Hard Work and the title track.

The Adventures Of Bo Segovia finds Taranco evolving into a fine Blues/Rock writer with strong Jazz elements. The growth that occurred between Bermuda Triangle and Bo Segovia is notable, although not surprising given the 15 years that passed in between. Taranco isn't afraid to ignore musical boundaries when he comes across them. Babes Elusive is a smoky blues tune for the verses and a reggae jam in the chorus. Isolation Blues opens as an experimental jazz piece before evolving into a fusion of Cuban Jazz and Rock. While Taranco seems to enjoy in engaging in such novelty, he never sacrifices melody for the sake of sound; an admirable quality. Check out Spirit Of Muddy Waters; Mississippi blues gone electric in a highly listenable song. Other highlights include Ghost Dance, St. George Street Overture and Blues Keep Thrillin' Me.

Ramon Taranco is a top-notch songwriter and musician. Between Music From The Bermuda Triangle and The Adventures Of Bo Segovia there is a long drought of recorded material, but it's very clear that the drought wasn't a musical one. Music From The Bermuda Triangle shows a talented if raw songwriter with a highly experimental mien. The Adventures Of Bo Segovia shows a mature and subtle and truly come into his own. Both discs are recommended listening.

Ratings:

Music From The Bermuda Triangle - 3.5 Stars (Out of 5)
The Adventures Of Bo Segovia - 4 Stars (Out of 5)

You can learn more about Ramon Taranco at http://www.ramontaranco.com/. You can purchase Music From The Bermuda Triangle at www.cdbaby.com/cd/ramontaranco1. You can purchase The Adventures Of Bo Segovia at www.cdbaby.com/cd/ramontaranco2.