Customer Reviews

Lotofire

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The first time I heard Ely Guerra...really liked what I heard...but with this release
"LOTOFIRE", all the stops have been pulled, mesmerizing tunes rise like a morning fog from
the dew of wet fields...even though the words are in spanish, feel some bonding with the
melodic significance that transpires from each lyric...now I LOVE HER!

There are definitely highlights within this realm of beauty ~ "PROMETO SER", serves up a
longing with a syncopated beat and percussion lends a flowing tempo..."VETE", brings forth
the passion from this young artist/composer, original beyond words, heating up the
soundwaves, love what I'm hearing..."MEJOR ME VOY", lonely places within your heart,
Guerra fills this void with her arrangements as we go into the next track with "TENGO
FRIO", upbeat with a sense of things getting better, completely in her element, know what she
wants and delivers.

Hats off to Higher Octave for this release...you have given me the listener a musical fantasy
into something that makes me think, feel good and turns me into a loyal follower of...ELY
GUERRA!

Total Time: 49:21 on 11 Tracks ~ Higher Octave OMCD-11674 ~ (2002)

I acquired this cd two years after it was released in the U.S. mainly because I wasn't familiar with Ely's music. I had only heard her song "Angel de Fuego" and believed it to be her only good song. I had always planned to buy her cd PA' MORIRSE DE AMOR, where that song is included, but I doubt there are many copies available in any music store in the U.S., it's even hard to obtain in Mexico. I decided to buy LOTOFIRE since I won't be able to easily purchase her previous cds in the U.S. I was blown away by the quality this cd offers, yet I wasn't much into slow music when I sampled this cd two years ago--how one's musical taste can change over time--it's seductive and hypnotic. "De la Calle"--added to the American cd version, from the movie of the same name--starts of slow but suddenly delivers hard rock, hovering over Ely's light voice, but only because that's how she wants it, and it suits this particular song. Other highlights include the hypnotic "Yo No," "Vete," and the seductive "Tengo Frio." The best track has to be the melancholic "El Tiempo," which ends on a high musical note where Ely uses that wonderful wailing voice she would later offer in La Ley's MTV Unplugged version of "El Duelo." This song can change one's attitude towards life. Simply put, this song is the best I have recenlty discovered this year from musical treasures offered by Soda Stereo, Gustavo Cerati, El Ultimo de la Fila and Manolo Garcia; or from any musical trash currently playing on the radio airwaves, Pau-Latina anybody?

Ely's voice is full of wonders, she can easily throw low and high notes and at the same time she can use her voice to seduce you--just as good as Soraya--or hurt you; but in the end you will end wanting more. Stay tuned for SWEET AND SOUR, SPICY AND HOT.

The U.S. debut of Ely Guerra's Lotofire has arrived. The album will now be more readily available to U.S. audiences. And that is cause for celebration. Guerra's voice seduces you into an ephemeral world where the hypnotic sounds of human voice calm you into a state of serenity. Yet the lyrics with their bittersweet grounding in reality won't let you fade completely away. In "Vete" Guerra represents the viewpoint of Mexican indigenous communities, expressing their right to defend their customs and beliefs. "Yo No"searches for a woman's strength to overcome domestic abuse; to fight the solitude, fear and inner emptiness that often arise in this situation. Contrary to what the song title might suggest, "Abusar" lightens up the mood with expressions of patience and respect accompanied by music and rhythms that will have you swaying back and forth, willing to wait things out for an eternity. Guerra's talent for writing from multiple perspectives offers a profound connection to the human spirit. Add to all of this a collection of stunning musical arrangements that incorporate the melodic strumming of acoustic guitar, xylophone glissandos ("Abusar"), the twang of the dobro ("Tengo Frio") and a bass guitar pumping out rhythms as important to the tracks as the heart is to life, and you have a phenomenal album.

I first discovered Ely Guerra back in the early 90's via an article in Mexican teen rag, ERES. I admit initially I was intrigued by her beauty and finally came across a copy of her horribly overlooked self-titled debut on BMG México. Her follow-up, PA' MORIRSE DE AMOR is as enchanting, if not more mellow than it's predecessor. LOTOFIRE was released in 1999 via EMI México, and became a critics fave though it was very uncommercial by Mexican standards, thus resulting in lackluster sales. This album is an amazing mix of drum and bass, bossa nova, and hypnotic electronica all with the sultry voice of Ely Guerra. If you are given the chance to see her live, you will be simply left in awe. She is that intense. Ely is the greatest voice in México today. You can testify to that yourself via this album which is finally given a just release in the US. Every track is worth 5 stars. As an extra bonus, the US version contains "De la calle", the theme song from the Mexican film of the same name.

This is an awesome and well elaborated album. Every song has a different rhythm and different meaning. Also Ely Guerra's voice sounds so good that you will never get tired of listening to LOTOFIRE. I listen to this album all the time, and trust me.....everytime you listen to it you're going to like more and more. My favorite songs on this album are: Profundidad, Yo No, De La Calle, and Vete.

Im glad to see you guys finally put this artist on your sight, since I had to search through fleet and snow to find this album(I finally did, there was only one, and it was hidden at the back of a small record shop in Tijuana)! This is truly a masterpiece, It is a great mixture of soft electronica and bossa nova beats, and combined with Elys unique and sensual voice, it is a unique work of art. The only thing I'd have to disagree with is the Fiona Apple comparison. Unfortunately with American femme music, we are experiencing a dry spell, but luckily artists such as Ely, Julieta Venegas, and Bebel Gilberto are a refreshing sound that I am thankful exists.

Ely Guerra's new album is a masterpiece.......Im glad you guys finally were able to place it here for others to purchase, I had searched through fleet and snow to find it(only one album hidden in the back of a small Tijuana music store)! I'd have to disagree with the Fiona Apple comparison, but besides that, this album represents a perfect mix of soft, unique electronica energy, accompanied by Ely's incredibly sensual voice. It is quite refreshing compared to this American music dry spell we are experiencing here in the states when it comes to invigorating music...hopefully we will get out of it soon, but in the mean time, there's room for Ely, Bebel Gilberto, Julieta Venegas, and PJ Harvey to uplift the femme music scene. If you dont speak spanish, no worries, once you listen to this diva, you'll forget what language she's singing in.

I just bought the Lotofire CD last night and I can't believe I have never heard about Ely Guerra. I first heard her in the song "El Duelo" from the La Ley and she moved me to tears. I finally found out who "that girl" was and was sure she had to have a CD out...it would be a waste of talent if she didn't have one. Surely enough she did have a CD...Lotofire...I listened to ONE of the music clips and immediately ran out to buy it. I have not been disappointed! Every single track is MAGNIFICENT! She has such a sultry, sexy, and soulful voice capable of stirring the listener into a variety of emotions. Definitely not the pop-ish, here today gone tomorrow, sounds of other latin artists out there today. This is real music!

Although I was a bit disappointed with her next album (Sweet & Sour), this one is a pure gem that transcends styles with ease. Musically rich, emotionally strong... No matter what your usual tastes are, just give it a try. You'll be surprised to say the least.

I remember I came across with this CD four years ago. I was over a friend's party and it really caught my attention. There was so much noise in the party I couldn't hear the language so I asked: Is that Cocteau Twins? When they told me it was a girl named Ely Guerra and she was mexican, I went to buy the record the next day. It has become one of my top five essential CD's ever. It has nothing to do with what us, mexicans, are used to get from a national artist. This goes beyond language limitations and hispanic rhythms. This is music from heaven and it should be listened not only for its universality, but because it achieves sublime levels. Her voice is hipnotic, soft when necessary, strong when unexpected. The combination of latin jazz, brazilian rhythms and trip-hop sythethizers are to die for. You can hear it on a loop without skipping a track once and again. Kuddos for Guerra for being so brave!!! Can't help to get my hands on her new material, which is going to be, once again, completely different from Lotofire and from what we've heard before (I already had a "sneak peek" from it)... If you like Lotofire, you should try to obtain her former works, the self titled Ely Guerra and especially, Pa' Morirse de Amor, which is a gem by itself. Different from Lotofire, but equally interesting.