Carlos Villoslada
Tabanqueando en la Plaza Nina
Independent release – info via www.carlosvilloslada.com
Lineup
Carlos Villoslada: tenor saxophone | Raul Gálvez: vocals | Juan Galiardo: piano | Antonio Corrales: bass |Dani Dominguez: drums | Rubem Dantas: percussion | Diego Moatoya and Pedro de Chana: palmas.
Tabanqueando en la Plaza Nina is the latest CD from Spanish tenor player Carlos Villoslada. The CD is dedicated to the Plaza Niña in Huelva, a small town in southern Spain not far from Sevilla and Villoslada’s birth place. In the press release Villoslada states “these ideas are inspired by the melodramatic atmosphere created by the great cantaor Paco Toronjo, the most representative fandango cantaor from Alonso (Huelva).”
The CD opens with the title track and begins with a tasteful cadenza by Villoslada leading seamlessly to the simple melody presented as a quasi fandango rhythm. This stylish introduction immediately sets the atmosphere for the rest of the CD. Particularly impressive on this track is the short but effective bass solo by Antonio Corrales. The haunting “Después de Tocar” follows introducing singer Raúl Gálvez. Gálvez shows a passion and lyricism rarely heard in the genre, his vocal contribution on the album is one of the many highpoints contained on this CD.
My favorite track on this CD is without a doubt the beautiful ballad “74 Pesetas de Whisky”. The rhythm section sets the feel providing room for Villoslada’s intimate tone to conger up that late night atmosphere in the well crafted melody. Both Villoslada and Galiardo (piano) play tasteful and melodic solo’s on this piece.
This CD is full of surprises and held my attention throughout. With “Tabanqueando en la Plaza Nina” Carlos Villoslada successfully integrates his Spanish roots into the language of jazz, following in the footsteps of Paco de Lucia and Pedro Iturralde. Viloslada has built up a strong following in his native Spain but unfortunately is little known elsewhere. Hopefully this CD will assist in bringing Carlos Villoslada the attention he deserves.
Johan van Deeg
PS. While researching some background information on Carlos I stumbled on an earlier release “Kind of Cai”. This CD contains flamenco and Latin interpretations for the legendary “Kind of Blue”. You realy need to hear this. click here to hear some samples from “Kind of Cai”