Музыка и песни Sosa, Omar / Sosa, Omar

With every passing year, pianist Omar Sosa continues to define what contemporary world music can be. Each effort is quite different than the previous one, while the bright colors, timbres, and elements of his Cuban-based music are elevated higher and high Record Label: Skip Style: World/Jazz

While the connection between Cuban pianist Omar Sosa and Italian trumpeter Paolo Fresu was established back in 2006, their partnership truly blossomed with Alma (Ota Music, 2012), a beauty of an album with a soft sell approach. That record—quite possibly the most moving item in either man's discography—prioritized heart over all else, and this follow-up date follows suit. Eros—the god of love—serves as muse and sculptor on this easygoing outing. Sosa and Fresu are both in fine form, lulling the listener into a space where the many different faces of love serve as guides, and they bring a smart mixture of passion and prudence to bear in the music. That's evident from the start, as "Teardrop-Ya Habibi"—a clever take on a Massive Attack song, featuring vocalist Natacha Atlas—takes flight. Arabian sounds, hints of neo-soul, and moody notions are all blended and molded into a shapely design that's simply mesmerizing. Elsewhere these two move in different stylistic directions while maintaining that same balance, addressing the need for emotional release and restraint. "Sensuousness" and "What Lies Ahead"—pieces which utilize the rich cello work of Jaques Morelenbaum—capitalize on candidness. Lyricism and wistfulness take hold and never let go. Then there's "Zeus' Desire," a number that blends new age sentiments with quaint thoughts and positive spirits; "My Soul, My Spirit," a work that features Atlas and operates in a cinematic realm not too far removed from the work of Lisa Gerrard with Hans Zimmer; and "Eros Mediterraneo," which opens on Fresu in a pensive state before shifting to sunnier environs. All of it is of a piece, yet each track has its own identifying markers and personality traits. Both Sosa and Fresu are masters of putting across moving thoughts. They say more with less, artfully color their true voices with electronic effects, and place equal value on atmosphere and substantial thought throughout these understated tales of love Record Label: Tuk Music Style: Jazz

Omar Sosa seemingly can do no wrong. Every album the jazz pianist releases is, if not exactly better than the last, arguably more profound. His exploration of Afro-Cuban music in all of its forms ends up sounding like an intense Yoruban meditation on life cycles and existence. His piano is not a musical instrument but a conduit to spiritual awareness. Live and on record, I'm often transported and seduced by his music, which reaches for the sublime and eternal. (Can you tell I'm a fan?) And just when I thought "No, way, he can't keep raising the bar with every release!" along comes Transparent Water, a record co-credited to Senegalese kora master Seckou Keita. The music instantaneously transports listeners from the very first notes. But in addition to journeys within, there are real world travels across the globe on this album. The cast includes: Venezuelan percussionist Gustavo Ovalles; Silk Road member and Chinese sheng master Wu Tong; and Mieko Miyazaki on the Japanese koto. What could have been a multi-culti mess is instead a powerfully elegant statement of joy over shared musical discovery. Record Label: Pias/World Village Style: Jazz

Omar Sosa , nominated several times for the American Grammy Award and in Germany honored with the ECHO JAZZ ,leads the vanguard of a generation of Cuban musicians who view themselves as being committed just as equally to World Music, Latin jazz or salsa as they are to their African roots. Born in Cuba and meanwhile living in Barcelona following stays in Quito (Ecuador), Menorca and San Francisco, this composer/pianist has grasped how to offer a mixture of phonic elements from Cuban sounds, jazz, and World Music that stands absolutely on its own. In addition to solo piano recordings, his extensive work in the meantime includes duo releases as well as a subtle blend of rhythms, harmonies, voices and instruments scored for large-scale ensemble and even big band. Record Label: Skip Records Style: Jazz