Mas Delivers More For the Ear Than Meets the Eye
Written: Sep 03 '02
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Soft, easy-listening pop with jazz and celtic influences
Cons: Rockers, rappers, and heavy metal fans should avoid this stuff
The Bottom Line: It's not my usual fare, but Alejandro Sanz's Mas is an intelligently crafted soft pop album with influences of R&B, jazz, and even celtic music!
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| mrkstvns's Full Review: Mas by Alejandro Sanz |
Mas is one of those CDs that I would probably never have picked up on my own volition, but my wife usually likes a much softer, gentler kind of music than I prefer, and Alejandra Mas is just the kind of music she likes. And so it was that Mas found its way into my CD changer...
The first couple times I listened to this CD, I kind of zoned out. I dismissed it as just more soft and fluffy stuff. As I got used to the album, I started to actually like it! Yeah, that's right...me! The guy who grew up on hard-driving rock n roll.
Truth be told, Alejandro Sanz reminds me of a couple of artists who I used to enjoy during the 1980s (and whose names some of you might know). Ever heard of a guy named Al Jarreau? How about George Benson? Yeah...I used to listen to these guys pretty often, and I still have a few Al Jarreau CDs stashed away at the back of the rack. I like Al Jarreau. Always have.
Jarreau has a soft, mellow, natural delivery that makes every song sound as fresh and original as the first warm breeze of a young springtime. Jarreau fuses R&B and jazz sounds with his dynamic vocals and his gentle lyrics. But this review isn't about Jarreau, it's about Alejandro Sanz, and I mention Jarreau for a reason -- because Alejandro Sanz has the same kind of talent and the same kind of ability to create easy listening tunes that can bridge the gap to reach people who wouldn't ordinarily buy soft pop albums. If you're a Jarreau fan, listen to tunes like Corazon Partio on this CD and just tell me that you don't hear the echo of Al Jarreau -- it's as plain as the smile on your face! (I like smiles better than noses.)
Alejandro Sanz is soft pop -- make no mistake about it -- but he incorporates some influences from the flamenco style from his native Spain (he's actually from Madrid), while also pulling in some influences from styles that you might never think of having a place in latin pop music: like the celtic sound that's most apparent on his newest CD, El Alma al Aire (featuring guest appearances by Corrs -- one of Ireland's best-known acts). Sanz has a sophisticated, cosmopolitan sound. It's soft and gentle, but it's also intelligently crafted.
Let's slide this disc into the changer and check it out, shall we?
Stand-Up Stand-Outs
Sanz struck pay dirt with his romantic hit song Corazon Partio. The string of rapid-fire questioning chorus lines are heart string pullers that let Sanz show off his huge dynamic vocal range with its passionately heartfelt delivery.
"Quien me va a entregar sus emociones?
Quien me va pedir que nunca le abandone?
Quien me tapara este noche si hace frio?
Quien me va a curar el corazon partio?"
Great stuff, and as I mentioned earlier, it really shows off the similarity in sound to pop jazz artists like Al Jarreau. Soft, gentle, romantic, yet somehow never sappy.
My hands-down favorite track on this CD is the opening track, Y, Si Fuera Ella?. The piano opening reminds me of a Billy Joel song, with a soft, slow buildup that waits until almost two minutes into the song before it builds to its huge crashing crescendo.
While there are some tracks that aren't among my favorites in and of themselves, they still have some interesting elements to them. I've always had a soft spot in my heart for the higher register of children's choruses, and while the Rolling Stones unquestionably did the definitive use of a childrens chorus in Sympathy for the Devil, there are a lot of other tunes that do well with that device. I love the way Sanz weaves the kids' voices throughout La Margarita Dijo No -- the kids really make this tune! While some groups use the kids chorus only as opening or a close, Sanz uses it throughout the song, with a steady refrain of:
"Bajo la lluvia y bajo el sol,
La Margarita dijo no."
I also like the dark, almost foreboding deep sound of Amiga Mia. That sound also marries well with the way Sanz delivers his vocals in a pleading, almost desperate sounding tone. Pretty cool.
Hoy Que No Estas reminds me of artists who are sitting on the cusp of that blurry line between rock and pop. Artists like Peter Gabriel, or maybe the cerebral Guatemalan light rocker, Ricardo Arjona. I like the faster and harder sound of this song, though I bet most Alejandro Sanz fans prefer his usual softer, gentler sound...
Overall, quite a few good things and solid production throughout the album. There's nothing that stands out as a really weak cut -- everything on this CD works well and melds together well to create a unified sound. It's an excellent CD to listen to when you're just winding down at the end of a busy day.
Following the Tracks...
Ten tunes that make for 51 minutes of soft easy listening enjoyment...
1. Y, Si Fuera Ella?
2. Ese Ultimo Momento
3. Corazon Partido
4. Siempre es de Noche
5. La Margarita Dijo No
6. Hoy Que No Estas
7. Un Charquito de Estrellas
8. Amiga Mia
9. Si Hay Dios
10. Aquello Que Me Diste
Bottom Line
I'm not a huge Alejandro Sanz fan. Probably never will be. But I do like to step down the volume once in a while, as I wind down at the end of the day with a softer, gentler kind of music than is my usual fare. For times like that, I enjoy listening to a soft pop sound, and I find myself truly appreciating artists who can do that kind of music while at the same time keeping things interesting by melding a variety of different kinds of influences and sounds to create a harmonious whole. Sanz is that kind of artist. A little on the sappy side if you're used to rockin' styles, but I think we all find a time and place for just about every kind of music.
If you're the kind of person who regularly listens to soft pop, or to celtic music or soft pop jazz, (or if you regularly listen to romantic boleros from guys like Luis Miguel) then I think you're probably the kind of listener who would also appreciate listening to a CD like Alejandro Sanz's Mas. Give it a listen! I'd like to hear what you think...
Until next time, see you in the music store. As always, I'm the mild-mannered gringo looking for the standout albums from the latin music aisle.
Recommended:
Yes
Great Music to Play While: Going to Sleep
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