"Granada"

This short, sweet CD goes down deceptively easily, considering the majestic sweep of cultural history it encompasses.  The title translates “the three coasts of the Atlantic,” and the five musicians in this group thread together musical legacies of Morocco (from which a 7^th century Moorish invasion began a fateful Islamic presence in Europe), Spain (where that crucial cultural encounter played out), and Mexico (where many Spanish people went just after driving the last Moors from the Iberian Peninsula).  So here, flamenco guitar, Mexican fandango grooves, and fleet oud melodies interweave in a pleasantly provocative embrace. 

Angel Cacon’s tasty, nylon string picking, mostly on guitar, provides the central musical voice, airy and uplifting on “La Fiesta,” warm and jazzy on “La Espera.”  Abdelmijd Moutana’s oud and Amando Montiel’s percussion offer the most surprising and piquant sounds.  Moutana opens two of these eight songs with achingly beautiful unaccompanied oud.  “Granada” revisits Moorish history as flighty solo oud gives way to a forthright Spanish groove.  Many of these pieces unfold in 6/8 or 12/8 time, which allows for some exciting rhythmic interplay, notably a pungent percussion break on the otherwise coolly animated “El Puente.” 

Gerardo Bátiz is the musical director and presumably the visionary behind this worthy project, so it’s ironic that his keyboard work proves the most problematic element, edging things fearfully close to New Age blandness at moments.  Luckily, this skilled group always manages to pull back from the precipice, aided by fine musicianship, spontaneity, and an idea that definitely merits a second act. 

Contributed by: Banning Eyre