Customer Reviews

Conector

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
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That Conector has not been hailed as one of the strongest albums of this year, as far as contemporary popular music is concerned, is understandable and yet a major crime. Consider it the fate that albums sung in a foreign language continue to experience in the Unites States, rather than a reflection of what this album may offer.

Hector Buitrago with his Los Aterciopelados--along with the great singer Andrea Echeverri--has been writing an performing some of the most original Latin Rock and Pop for the last ten-plus years from his native Colombia, and this, his first solo album, is reason to rejoice.

Although the Aterciopelados are alive and well, and this is meant to be an outlet for his own material, there are many familiar wonders here as well as new musical paths.

On the "familiar side", first and foremost, is the presence of Andrea Echeverri who offers some of the best vocals of her career in tracks like "Ooohhhh," "Fruto Real," "Musica Somos"--along with Julieta Venegas--y the Aterciopelados-like "Altisimo" sharing vocals with Alex Ubago.

As far as material that may be new to your Aterciopelados-trained ears, the most potent addition are songs like "Otra Vez" and "Durgamaloka." Both tracks' lyrics are mostly sung in Sanscrit and are a gorgeous amalgam of Buitrago's Electro-Pop sensibilities and deep sense of spiritual chanting, where the voice of Natalia Helo simply soars and will move your heart.

In my opinion, Buitrago, along with Gecko Turner and the Orishas, belong to a select group of Latin artists exploring the essence of genre, whether is Pop, Rock, Rap or Electronica, that although they have not been originated in their part of the world, they have become fuel for these people's amazingly fresh and powerful sound.

Conector is one of the best albums you may connect to in 2006. Don't let it pass you by.

I wasn't sure what to expect when I heard that Hector Buitrago of Aterciopelados was making a solo album. Lo and behold, this was a real pleasant surprise - most of the tracks have guest vocals by some of my favorite artists. Highlights of the album include "Altisimo", a beautiful tune featuring Alex Ubago and Andrea Echeverri, and also the song "Musica Somos" which features Julieta Venegas.

The music on the album is mellow, but at the same time very uplifting and positive. Definitely worth purchasing.

In essence this is very much an Aterciopelados disc but since it is a "solo" project it demonstrates Hectors penchant. The disc is earthy yet modern, it mixes traditional rhythms with electronica; it is future tribal. The songs have a distinctive native folkloric or Indian sound that is puntuated by vocals and drums. The coupling of Julieta Venegas, Alex Ubargo, Fernado Takai and Martina Camargo joining the other half and lead singer of Aterciopelados Andrea Echeverri creates a world music classic. Tracks like "Tonada Tambor" are a perfect example of the integration of Indian drum beats and spacey electronica mixing harmonically with vocals for a world beat masterpiece. This unique formula can be heard intergrated throughtout the disc for a future primitive collage. "Otra Vez" brings a unique fusion of chant(sanskrit?) and singing styles that can only be described by hearing it; it is like a mystical experience if you concentrate on the music. When Andre takes the lead vocals it is like Aterciopelados all over again. For example, on "Musica Somos " Andrea imparts her peaceful vibe that soothes you as the music warms you and you say I've heard this sound before but much too long ago. It is fresh, very fresh and refreshing like chilled mangoes and an icey beverage on a warm day on the beach. This is one of the best and definitely one of the most unique discs to be released in 2006. It is hipnotic and spiritual in it's essence, it is music from the past now, it is an old world meets new world vision of musical passion. It is Hectors vision and pride but Andrea and others collective achievement. A must have disc from 2006 for fans of Aterciopelados and RocnEspanol that is on the cutting edge of music.

Este CD logro captar la esencia de los Aterciopelados!!!Es un CD refrescante y con una calidad musical incomparable. Todas las canciones son excelentes.Cosa rara en estos dias donde la mayoria de los artistas presentan una o dos canciones buenas y el resto son mediocres;Esto no ocurre en este CD igual que los demas CDs de los Arteciopelados!!! Es una muestra eclectica de rock en español y ritmos indigenas que logran cautivar al que lo escucha y a la vez provoca admiracion del arte musical de Hector Buitrago.

Esta producción en solitario de Héctor Buitrago, integrante de Aterciopelados, uno de los grupos más destacados y representativos de Colombia, es una muestra de la capacidad de este hombre de explorar con creatividad estilos muy diferentes como la electrónica, los ritmos indígenas, los sonidos orientales etc... Cabe destacar la primera canción "Troncoroca Vientomar" en la que se pueden apreciar las tamboras indígenas, "Damaquiel", una alegre canción en la que participa Martina Camargo, una de las cantaoras de tambora más reconocida en Colombia (oigan el proyecto "Alé Kumá" - Cantaoras, bacanísimo), "Música Somos", "Otra Vez", "Durgamaloka" y "Ooohhhh" que tiene una letra muy chévere sobre el concepto de origen. Creo que este proyecto en solitario puede ser útil para mostrar ante el mundo la importancia y el valor del acervo cultural indígena colombiano y latinoamericano y ver cómo es pobible "juntar caminos" como dijo Héctor Buitrago. ¡Qué viva Aterciopelados!

Check out Hector of Aterciopelados. I can't get this CD out of my car. It's fresh, fun, he's working with great vocalists like Andrea Echeverri. One of my favorites of the year.

A wonderful album that soars through the air on wings of melody - gently swishing you through the blue expanses as your body lies in a relaxing dream. Enjoy this slowly over time and come back to it often.

Cada vez que escucho este CD descubro cosas nuevas, es muy agradable escuchar cada canción, los arreglos, los instrumentos de música folclórica mezclado con ritmos nuevos y riffs rockeros. Es sin duda una muestra de como se puede hacer gran música y el potencial de la música rock colombiana.