Abi Cruz

1. Intro/Ya Me Voy

2. 801

3. Tonite

4. Chickens That I Plucked

5. Wondering

6. If You Don't...

7. Hey There Lady

8. I'm Gonna Love You

9. Cold World

10. Tonite (Remix)

11. El Prendedor

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
New form of R&B. Mixing Hip-Hop, Latin, and Soul. This is what you've been waiting for. All new songs by the multi-talented PuertoRican singer, Abi Cruz. The album includes a vast variety of hipnotic grooves laced with Abi Cruz's latin inspired hard-hitting vocals. He has even managed to pull off the classic "El Prendedor" originally recorded by Trio Los Condes, with his father, Cristobal Cruz. The album is a roller-coaster ride of uptempo R&B infused with Hip-Hop, and mid-tempo ballads that will have you Wondering. Watch out for this powerful, soulful Chicago native. He will have you undoubtedly singing along with him.

Abi Cruz,Abi Cruz,Perjes Esponda Music (Dark Time)

Average customer rating:

Abi Cruz

Manufacturer: Triple AC Productions
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Soul | R&B | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000CAK4CM
Release Date: 2003-11-11

Tracks:

Intro/ya Me Voy
801
Tonite
Chickens That I Plucked
Wondering
If You Don't...
Hey There Lady
I'm Gonna Love You
Cold World
Tonite (remix)
El Prendedor

Average customer rating:

Variety is the spice of life.........

Abi Cruz

Manufacturer: Perjes Esponda Music (Dark Time)
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Pop | Styles | Music

General | R&B | Styles | Music

General | Pop | Indie Music | Stores | Music

General | R&B | Indie Music | Stores | Music
ASIN: B000297WAA
Release Date: 2004-05-18

Tracks:

Intro/Ya Me Voy
801
Tonite
Chickens That I Plucked
Wondering
If You Don't...
Hey There Lady
I'm Gonna Love You
Cold World
Tonite (Remix)
El Prendedor

Album Description

New form of R&B. Mixing Hip-Hop, Latin, and Soul. This is what you've been waiting for. All new songs by the multi-talented PuertoRican singer, Abi Cruz. The album includes a vast variety of hipnotic grooves laced with Abi Cruz's latin inspired hard-hitting vocals. He has even managed to pull off the classic "El Prendedor" originally recorded by Trio Los Condes, with his father, Cristobal Cruz. The album is a roller-coaster ride of uptempo R&B infused with Hip-Hop, and mid-tempo ballads that will have you Wondering. Watch out for this powerful, soulful Chicago native. He will have you undoubtedly singing along with him.

Customer Reviews:

Variety is the spice of life................2004-07-03

If I were to try to describe the depth of material presented in this album, I could not do it in a paragraph. What I can say is that Abi Cruz has managed to pull of what not many artists are even capable of doing now days- which is mix a variety of traditional and non-traditional styles together and make it sound great, natural and sensible all at the same time. My problem with other artists of this genre is that they sound like they are purposely trying to mix two very different styles (such as say, Flamenco and hip-hop) and the music ends up sounding inauthentic, nonsensical or just plain uncomfortable. Abi Cruz has presented his style of Latin influenced R&B, Soul, Hip-Hop and Doo-wap compositions all while showcasing his more than capable vocal and harmonizing skills. The music sounds natural, original and maintains an underlying connection to Abi's Puerto Rican roots by throwing traditional Spanish guitar into the mix, as on "If you don't take care..". This track opens with some traditional Spanish / Puerto Rican guitar work and segways into a straight up Hip-Hop / Rap composition, and Mr. Cruz seems to do this effortlessly so that it sounds like a completely natural transition. The Hip-Hop rythym layers perfectly over the Spanish guitar rythyms and it all seems to come together with Abi's R&B vocals and chrous (3 & 4 part)harmonies. Other tracks such as "Ya Me Voy" achieve similar effects by layering Hip-Hop beats and Spanglish rap over traditional Puerto Rican guitar rythyms. As you listen through the album tracks, you are then taken through a musical journey taking you from Latin Soul, Hip-Hop, Rap to "Hey There Lady", a straight up 50's retro Doo-wap tune. This and "801", an acoustic guitar love song, are obvious showcases for Abi Cruz's considerable vocal talent as well as the back up harmonies. Sweet and sensitive, "Hey There Lady" & "801" shows that Abi and his band are by no means one-sided. Then there are compositions like "Tonite", "Cold World" and "Wondering" which fall in between and are hard to classify. They are driving, hypnotic, emotional tracks with alot of acoustic guitar, that are reminiscent of later Pink Floyd compositions. The album wraps up with "El Prendedor" which can only be interpreted as a "back to roots" statement. This is a traditional Puerto Rican compoisition, sang in Spanish on top of Bolero-style Spanish guitar and a shaker. The infusion of Cristobal Cruz's vocals (Abi's father) gives the track a definitive "Buena Vista Social Club" feel. It's that traditional sound which gives you the "instant classic" impression.

All in all, I give Abi Cruz's debut album 5 stars mainly for originality, and also for talent and skill. Although the sound quality and mastering could have been better on several of the tracks, I have a feeling that we will be seeing much more to come out of Abi Cruz. In my opinion, he has accomplished what many bands have forgotten, especially in the Hip-Hop, Rap, & R&B genres- which is that having solid music, good musicians AND a solid singer & great vocal support= a recipe for great music. You won't find highly produced studio tracks with one great artist here- you will find real musicians coming together to make real music and STILL pull off the mix in styles and genres. Now where can you find that these days?

Skeletons in My Closet
Average customer rating:
Skeletons in My Closet
Abi Cruz
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Soul | R&B | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000G8PA9M
Release Date: 2006-04-18