Whispered Awakenings
Self-Released, 2026
8/10
Listen to Whispered Awakenings
The Brooklyn resident, guitarist and composer Tomas Rodriguez returns with a 4th album, where the 8 tracks touch on his Spanish ancestral roots with much care.
“Dialogue” opens with Rodriguez’s warm guitar radiating much beauty in its elegance, and “Reflection” follows with an indeed reflective mood via the meticulous guitar progressions.
“Landó para Maite” arrives in the middle and welcomes percussive sounds via Gigio Parodi’s cajon for the rich delivery, while “Al maestro Toumani” is full of intimacy that tugs on the heartstrings.
“Guaguancó” arrives late and uses plucking techniques for the colorful album highlight, and “Mélancolie” exits with strong attention to atmosphere and timeless guitar playing that you can’t not admire.
The Afro-Peruvian, Cuban and West African traditions Rodriguez explores here are nothing short of enlightening and executed with melody and grooves and in spades.
Travels well with: Matt Smith- …this is not ok…; Larry Beckett- Though We Only Have Love