| February 2007Dino
Saluzzi’s Juan Condori is an imaginary, evocative body of work that conjures
images of 1960s-era Argentina, complete with sensual tangos, heartache and passion. The
album’s 12 tracks are a masterful blend of styles native to the Saluzzis’
Argentina and other Western genres. Jose Maria Saluzzi’s guitar on "Soles/La
camposanteņa" reveals it as a beautiful flamenco-inspired piece, while the opening
track, "La vuelta de Pedro Orillas," is a strong, inspired tribute to the wisdom
of Argentina’s Indians. Songs about Saluzzi’s family and country benefit greatly
from the cohesiveness of the musicians -- the sound ebbs and flows and rarely falters as
each musician plays off and into one another. Juan Condori also features
smooth-jazz inspired saxophone grooves and post-modern improvisation, especially on the
appropriately titled "Improvisacion." And while other tracks take on the
traditional sounds of Latin American folk tunes, the album never seems haphazard or
unfocused with its menagerie of influences.
Saluzzi, accompanied by his brother, son and nephew, and an
additional drummer, excels on the bandoneon, truly understanding the nature and potential
of this instrument. He is as comfortable playing a soft pianissimo accompaniment as he is
blaring away. The bandoneon’s sound is unique and well suited to the tunes Saluzzi
writes. The accordion-like sound has resonance, and its lively nature contributes to the
overarching energy and excitement of the album.
It is only fitting that for an album as focused and
narrative as Juan Condori that the recording and production reflect its clarity of
purpose. Each instrument’s sound rings true as crescendos and decrescendos are
captured, preserving the aura and intention of each composition.
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Dino Saluzzi Group - Juan Condori
