Customer Reviews

Panamericana (Dig)

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

At first listen, I didn't think this was as good as Gran Hotel Buenos Aires, his first album. In the end though, it is--this album has a more consistent groove--some of it is even danceable. In part, this makes it sound a bit more generic, and a bit less distinctive; there is less of a clear Argentinian center on this disc.

This album doesn't have the highs of the first album--no song is as good as Diario de Viaje or Contigo--but the tone is more consistent and even than Gran Hotel, which had some extremely slow, dirge-like songs that broke up the rhythym of even a 5-star album. As good as Gran Hotel was, it isn't easy to listen to it all at once. This album is more coherent, and easy to listen to all the way through, any time day or night--it represents the growth of an excellent artist. The song with Amparo Sanchez of Amparonoia is excellent--they really should do an album together!

This album is an undoubted evolution since the first. This album has the smoky beats and the groove expected from ESL and anything produced by half of Thievery Corporation (Eric Hilton gets production credit). What this doesn't sound like is another TC album with a different artist title. En Cada Lugar is an excellent intro to the album if your looking to skip around. Federico is a talent that is great to find. Great album, can't wait for more.

Has a faster,more danceable, and more poppy feel than Gran Hotel. Probably better to liven up a party with, but for everyday listening just doesn't have the brooding beauty & impact of Gran Hotel's tunes.

Also, he sings more on this one, which is not a good thing and turned into a disaster in "Amatoria".

Excellent delicate, natural music with perfect relaxing argentinian cafe atmosphere. It ask me to fly to Buenos Aires.
Music: 5 of 5
Aubele Guitar: 5 of 5
Clavier, Sanchez, Varela vocal: 5 of 5
Sonics/Sound/Recording: 3-4 of 5

Panamerica is a great midtempo CD. However, it doesn't begin to offer the same experience has FA's first release. This CD focuses much more attention on vocals rather than the music and beats. Also panamerica doesn't include the same infusion of the dub flavor and FA's guitar talents to its beats which is why I loved Gran Hotel. Panamerica is still a great addition to your collection just set your expectations correctly. It doesn't match up to Gran Hotel but not much does. Best tracks (La Esquina, Maria Jose, La Orilla, Corazon, & Su Melodia).

On his second album, _Panamericana_, Federico Aubele gets some vocal help from Natalie Clavier, who adds a soft note to his already smooth production. She sings "La Esquina" like a lullaby, while "María José" has more of a groove going ("La Orilla" seems to reach the upper limit of tempo on the album). Amparo Sánchez lends her more weathered voice to "Las Canciones," adding a new texture, but Aubele doesn't abandon vocal duties altogether. He handles "Pena" with a simple grace, and also teams up with Clavier for duets on "En Cada Lugar" and "Tan Dificil." Though this album is Aubele's creation, you can hear the influence of the Thievery Corporation most of "Corazon," with its dub rhythm and blazing horn section. Pure South American chill.

I like TC, so I tried Federico. I loved his music on Buenos Aires and the sensual spanish female vocals, so I was a bit disappointed with his forray into vocals on this record. Still a lot of amazing stuff here. I mean he does a pretty good job singing, but Federico man, you cant match the sensual nature of the ladies that sing for you.

Loved his first cd and love this second one. The whole cd has a great vibe and a beautful flow. For some reason I get a 70's vibe off of some of the tracks.I Love it. Just get it and let it play.

I had the pleasure of seeing Federico Aubele last summer at the Hollywood with Thievery Corporation and others as one leg of KCRW's World Music Festival and he was amazing. I love his first disc Gran Hotel Buenos Aires and find this one to be possibly as good but not better. go for the first one if you are buying for the first. Like Gran Hotel Buenos Aires it is all in Spanish set to trip hop beats. It is xtremely mellow with less emphasis on Argetina tango but rather a broader musical palette results. The sexy female voices enhance the sensuality of the disc making it one of those discs for late nights. "La Esquina' is a perfect example of the sensuous nature of the music. The female vocals echo romanticism and sexuality that is set to a back beat with interrupting Latin guitar licks. Things get a little more lively on "La Orilla" but the sexy whisper voice(like a Latin Marlyn Monroe singing happy birthday Mr. President) still shouts candle light in the bedroom. The disc is pretty safe without any groundbreaking ideas but pleasant nonetheless. All the tracks fall within the barely over three minute range with the exception of "En Cada Lugar" that comes in at over four minutes. This is a laid back disc made to enjoy with someone special. Recommended for romantic hearts.

His first CD was very good, and this one is great. Same style as the first, but less of the street-sounds sampling and the music is better integrated and flows well throughout the course of the CD. If you like euro lounge, like Hotel Costes, you'll probably like this. It has a more Latin feel and it's smoother, but it still has an "xm chill" energy.