Amber Light
Blue Spiral, 2022
8/10
An extremely accomplished vocalist who doesn’t sit in one place too long, Corina Bartra brings a long list of musicians to this very diverse listen, where folk, Afro-Peruvian, jazz, world music and fusion ideas are all present and appreciated.
“Ebano Sky” starts the listen with crisp drumming, bright alto sax and Bartra’s elegant, cultured vocals, and “Carambas Sí” follows with intricate guitar and a very warm spirit as Bartra’s cozy voice draws us in.
“Latino Blues” occupies the middle spot and indeed brings a blues spirit to the acrobatic drumming and backing vocals from Clare Cooper, while “Send In The Clowns” benefits much from the precise bass as Pedro Perico Diaz handles Cajon on the vocally stunning album highlight.
Arriving near the end, “Puente de los Suspiros” soars with a charming folk demeanor that recruits Rufino Ortiz on guitar, and “Magenta Moon” exits the listen with Dave Morgan’s tenor sax guiding the frisky drums and diverse singing.
A very colorful affair that’s as unpredictable as it is eclectic, the attention to rhythm here is superb, and the company Bartra keeps certainly to justice to her worldly vision.
Travels well with: Courtney Freed- Big Crazy Love; Dawn Derow- My Ship: Songs From 1941