Aras

1. Aras

2. River

3. Segue

4. Embrujada

5. Man of the Shadows

6. Brenda

7. Flirtatious

8. Suenos Inquietos (Restless Dreams)

9. Once upon a Time

10. Enshalla (By the Grace of the Creator)

Aras,Curandero,Silver Wave,Contemporary Flamenco,Int'l & World Music,Jazz Music,Pop,Spain,Worldbeat

Average customer rating:

Completely Unique
Vibrant, mysterious, reflective, transcendent...
Perfection
Everyone needs to hear this album
Nothing can prepare you

Aras
Curandero
Manufacturer: Silver Wave
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | International | Styles | Music

Flamenco | Latin Music | Styles | Music

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

General | New Age | Styles | Music

General | International | Indie Music | Stores | Music

General | New Age | Indie Music | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Curandero
The Enchantment
Live Art

ASIN: B000000PPR
Release Date: 1996-09-24

Tracks:

Aras
River
Segue
Embrujada
Man Of The Shadows
Brenda
Flirtatious
Suenos Inquietos
Once Upon A Time
Enshalla

Customer Reviews:

Completely Unique.......2007-03-17

I first heard about this album at the peak of my obsession with Béla Fleck. I was dismayed to learn that it was out of print, but after about five months I finally found a used copy for $12 on ebay. Boy, was that a good purchase. You don't hear a lot of electric bass/flamenco guitar/banjo/tabla quartets, but the virtuosity of everyone involved makes the whole thing work seamlessly. My favorite track is the otherworldly "embrujada"; Espinoza and fleck create a wonderful texture together and Ty Burhoe's tabla playing has a amazingly understated elegance. The real surprise, however, was Kai Eckhardt on the fretless bass - his playing is liquid smooth and very melodic. His solo playing on "Brenda" is some of the best basswork I've ever heard. In conclusion, this is a good CD.

Vibrant, mysterious, reflective, transcendent..........2006-01-03

...and simply breathtaking - just a few of the many moods that this masterpiece evokes. This time, the founders of Curandero, flamenco guitarist Miguel Espinoza and percussionist Ty Burhoe, have recruited several others to help bring an even broader approach to their cross-cultural musical vision - namely, they have employed banjo virtuoso Bela Fleck and seasoned jazz bassist Kai Eckhart, as well as a choir called the Ars Nova Singers. Together, they serve up an amazingly colorful palette of music, especially recalling the indigenous music of Central and South America (a "curandero" is a folk healer/shaman native to Latin America), but certainly worldwide in its influence and appeal.

Across the members of this project, almost every musical tradition on the planet has been covered, from Ty Burhoe's background in classical Indian music, to Bela's bluegrass and jazz background of Kai. Every musician here is virtuoso in his own right, and to see them come together and have such (seemingly telepathic) synergy is amazing. No musician outplays another; no musician overlooks the greater whole of the compositions. This really is a milestone in the world of world music and fusion - truly a forward-thinking and evolutionary project.

As to some of the song highlights:

"River" conjures up, appropriately, a tranquil reflection by the Amazon River - ethereal, mysterious... almost haunting, and not without a touch of melancholy.

"Man of the Shadows" is especially intense - perhaps the most complex offering, as well as the most epic. The Ars Nova Singers really shine here, helping bringing tension, until a beautiful release led by Miguel and Bela. The rhythmic interplay on this track is outstanding.

"Enshalla" closes the album on a particularly ominous note - a quiet duet between Ty and Miguel, it signifies an amazing musical adventure slowly winding down, not soon to be forgotten...

Perfection.......2005-12-07

My position is simple - this recording contains some of the best musicianship ever recorded. If you listen you will understand what I mean. Bela Fleck said that track #5 was one of the most difficult pieces of music he has ever played.

This album is perfect in almost every way.

Everyone needs to hear this album.......2005-04-18

Rarely does an album come so close to perfection and blow you away on the first listen whilst still keeping you interested for a long amount of time. But that's what happened to me when I first heard Aras. Quite simply, it is incredible and one of the greatest albums I've ever heard.

Flamenco guitar, indian percussion, fluid bass and, believe or not, a very tastefully used banjo come together on this album. The music is more flamenco influenced than anything else, but with an atmosphere more akin to world music. The fusion of different styles here is staggering because everything fits together so perfectly and naturally and simply couldn't be any other way.

When I really fall in love with an album, words usually escape me when trying to write a review and this is no exception. All I can say is that this is without a doubt an incredible and absolutely essential for anyone who likes structured instrumental music with a degree of improvisation.

Words fail me. This review is awful. Just buy this beautiful album.

Nothing can prepare you.......2003-12-03

I am a huge Bela Fleck fan and saw this recording at #2 on a fellow Amazon user's "Best of Bela" list. After tracking it down (not an easy feat), and listening a few times, I can say the musicianship on this album is unparalleled. The songs are brilliantly written and executed. The soulful flamenco and tabla are a perfect match. Kai Eckhardt, on bass, adds unreal chops, and Bela's contributions are surprisingly germane to this music. Here are four instruments out of their usual contexts, but the end product is not jarring or unusual, simply brilliant. The title track, as well as Embrujada (the drum used in this piece is amazing), River, and Man of the Shadows are my personal favorites. One of the best five cd's I own, and certainly one that is new to my musically inclined friends.