Spain Again

Michel Camilo | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 19, 2006)
• Original Release Date: 2006
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Decca
• ASIN: B000F8ZN7W
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #33,676 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #17 in Music > Jazz > European Jazz
  • #63 in Music > World Music > Europe > Continental Europe > Spain

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Seven years after their widely praised initial encounter, Dominican jazz pianist Michel Camilo, who cites Art Tatum and Keith Jarrett among his role models, and Spanish gypsy guitarist Tomatito, accompanist to the late vocal legend, Camarón de la Isla (the Jim Morrison of flamenco) are back with another stunning set. Although these two musicians emerged from very different backgrounds, there is nonetheless a certain commonality, the most obvious being that both jazz and flamenco are highly improvisational, demanding nearly supernatural levels of empathy between collaborating musicians. Although their debut concentrated primarily upon Spanish sources, they've now moved on to styles of lateral Iberian descent, notably the stylishly intellectual neo-tangos of Argentina's Astor Piazzolla, with a nod to his influential forebear, Carlos Gardel. Mr. Camilo's Juilliard training must have come in handy when essaying these works, as both composers were deeply familiar with European sources such as the works of French impressionists like Debussy, Ravel, and Fauré. The album also includes a gently reflective rendering of "Stella by Starlight," coming to a close with "Amor de Conuco," a romantically retro nuevo cancion-like ballad by Mr. Camilo's countryman, Juan Luis Guerra, with vocals by the composer. --Christina Roden

Product Description

When talents as formidable as Michel Camilo & Tomatito get together to make music it is an event. These two distinct voices from different musical worlds reunite on Spain Again, a scintillating musical conversation between two masters. Camilo, a brilliant pianist and prolific composer, is renowned for combing rich jazz harmonies with the Caribbean flavors and rhythms of his native Dominican Republic. Discovered in his native Spain at an early age, Tomatito is the premier flamenco guitarist of his generation and has accompanied Spain's greatest flamenco singers including the legendary Cameron de la Isla. Navigating the boundaries of jazz and flamenco, Camilo & Tomatito create an experience that is both unique and unforgettable. Camilo made his recording debut in 1985, when he recorded Why Not? (released on Japan's King label). In 1988, he made his American recording debut with the self-titled Michel Camilo (released on Portrait/Epic). Several more critically-acclaimed albums (released on Epic and Columbia) followed including, On Fire, On The Other Hand, Rendezvous and One More Once, Thru My Eyes and Concerto for Piano & Orchestra (released on Universal) as well as Triangulo, Live At The Blue Note, Solo and Rhapsody In Blue (released on Telarc). He has been honored with numerous awards, including a Grammyr, a Latin Grammyr and an Emmyr Award. In The All Music Guide to Jazz, critic Scott Yanow describes Camilo as one of the most stimulating jazz pianists to emerge in the mid-to-late 1980s.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Many Good Reasons To Buy, December 5, 2006

By 

Kurt Harding "bon vivant" (Boerne TX) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Spain Again (Audio CD)

Though I am familiar with the work of both Tomatito and Michel Camilo, I didn't even know this collaboration existed until I recently spied it in the racks at a well-known book and music chain. Then, as soon as I saw that the duo performed a tribute to Astor Piazzolla, I had to have it. So I went home, got on amazon, and found it much cheaper here from one of the amazon partners than at the book store and ordered it immediately.
It arrived from Argentina in about a week and I anticipated pure bliss while inserting it into the CD player. And mostly, I was not disappointed.
Here's what I like best:
1)Libertango-Camilo and Tomatito deliver just over four minutes of sonic wizardry. Libertango is one of the most internationally famous of Piazzolla compositions, and this rendition just dazzles.
2)Fuga Y Misterio-A very technically challenging Piazzolla piece. It always reminds me of something Frank Zappa might have written had he been Argentine. Camilo and Tomatito give an exquisite rendering.
3)Adios Nonino-Probably THE most covered Piazzolla piece and the most personally meaningful to El Troesma himself. I've heard many different interpretations of this, at least a dozen of them by Piazzolla himself. This rendition is starkly reminiscent of the rare version which features Piazzolla and guitarist Cacho Tirao.
4)Twilight Glow-An escape to serenity for when the lights are low. Think Al DiMeola in one of his acoustic moods.
5)A Los Nietos-Dedicated to Pat Metheny but again strongly suggestive of Al DiMeola. Excellent!
and,
6)La Fiesta-I first heard this Chick Corea composition on a Stan Getz album. I liked it then and I like even more the interpretation given here.
About the only cuts I didn't care for were the opening Gardel classic El Dia Que Me Quieras which I find too subdued, and the unappealing vocals featured on Amor de Conuco.
As you can see, there are many good reasons to buy this CD and no good reason not to. If you are here, you must have a passing interest in at least one of the featured musicians. And quite likely, you are either a jazz fan a la Corea or Di Meola, or you have come here for the Piazzolla tangos.
There are certainly a lot of reasons I like Spain Again, so it will be in heavy playing rotation for months to come. Check it out, you should not be disappointed!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Triumphant again, June 19, 2006

By 

Soulboogiealex (Netherlands) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Spain Again (Audio CD)

Spain was a triumph in Jazz. Both Michel Camillo and Tomatito are stars in their field. As a pianist Camillo is one of the most distinct voices of his generation. Both bold and tender, at the same time robust and subtle. A voice recognized out of many. The same goes for Tomatito. His work on the flamenco guitar is one that is seldom approached by other players. When both man teamed up for Spain they sounded like a match made in heaven. Tomatito and Camillo sounded as if they had been playing together for years. Spain left you desperate for more.

Finally there's a follow and it does not disappoint. Both men play the strengths of their instruments very well. Both men complement each other even better. The album never fails to grab your attention. The ballads on the record are as captivating as the more up-tempo pieces. Although both men are technically very accomplished they never fall into the trap of tying to bedazzle the listener with technical bolstering. Instead the record leans heavy into strong melodic and rhythmic structure, leaving you floating on a warm summer breeze.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Two Monsters Creating Beauty, October 2, 2006

By 

Victor Thomen "thomen in sync" (Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Spain Again (Audio CD)

I had the opportunity to see them live on their only presentantion at the National Theater in Santo Domingo this past 29th of September. These two artists play together as if they were Heart & Lungs. Following Camilo with the piano is like Mission Imposible but Tomatito, without hesitation, follows in a way that it merges its flamenco roots with Camilo's caribbean beat...the funny part is that they also play tangos. Both are legends. This fusion is the pure definition of music pleasure. This is a MUST HAVE CD in your Jazz, New Age, Lounge, Caribbean, Flamenco or Tango music collection.