Sensual is the second studio album by Puerto Rican singer Tito Rojas, released in 1990 by Musical Productions. From this album songs such as Ella Se Hizo Deseo, Sensual and Siempre Sere stand out. It is currently considered one of the most notable musical comebacks in salsa history, after stalling his career on the album of the same name Tito Rojas in 1981. His hit Siempre Ser ranked number 35 in tropical songs on the Billboard charts in 1990.[3]
The album was made after the stagnation in the career as a solo singer in 1981. Previously participating in 1983 with the Fania All Stars with "El Campesino", also recording another solo album Solo Con Un Beso although it did not have the expected success.
You just read my mind! I started listening to Cesar Espinoza and YouTube is full of Leo videos. I have been listening to him for several evenings in a row. This is unearthly music, sublime, lively, sensual. And the musician himself! Original, interesting, the manner of moving during performance is unique. One sheer delight! But Leo also plays other instruments. Leo Rojas- The Lonely Sheppard.
Somehow I ran into a whole album of Leo Rojas, turned on the background and enjoyed it. What a pleasant music, it is alive, it is like nature itself, everything is natural and beautiful! Clips from him, of course, also do not take your eyes off. And even just videos that are made by ordinary YouTube users. See for yourself.
In this interview, Brooklyn Magazine speaks with Rojas about prepping her next album, the personal experiences intrinsic to her songwriting process, translating songs for the stage, the necessity of genre-exploration, and more.
On April 1, 2022, the day before her concert for the Cleveland Classical Guitar Society, three-time Latin Grammy nominee Berta Rojas experienced what every musician dreads. While she and her hosts had lunch at a restaurant, a thief smashed the window of their car and stole her guitar. The consummate professional, she played a brilliant concert nonetheless the following evening on a borrowed instrument. But Rojas returned to her home in Boston suspecting she might never again see the guitar on which she had practiced countless hours and played more than 200 concerts worldwide over 14 years.
Legado is the 14th album in her discography, and throughout, her playing is refined and sublime. Rojas gives every note its due as she homes in on the essence of each work. The recorded sound of her guitar is rich and detailed thanks to the efforts of recording engineer Randy Roos and editor Sebastin Henrquez.
Any particular new techniques that you tried out for your new album?
For my new album, which is my first attempt at truly working on sound design aspects by myself and actually releasing the project, I composed and recorded the eleven piano pieces without any kind of preconception of what to do next because I wanted them to defend themselves without depending on extra processing. However, when giving shape to the album, I decided to use my Blooper and Nightsky pedals to create new textures and to make the listening experience a bit more exciting and unpredictable. I sent every piece through the pedals, instinctively tweaking each knob until I was happy with the effects, and recorded everything back into Ableton. Once there, and considering each piece, what they were supposed to evoke, and their place in the album, I started mixing. Some pieces are simply made of their original raw recordings, while others only incorporate the processed signal from the pedals. There are also a few pieces that combine every possibility: first, the dry signal, then a bit of effects in the background in a quite subtle way, and then the fully processed signal. I also applied EQ and automated a few parameters to make some parts of the album sound like you are listening to an old radio or from another room.
Sergio Daz De Rojas is a Peruvian pianist and composer currently based in Valencia, Spain. His works have reached over ten million plays on streaming services and have been carefully crafted on limited cassette and vinyl editions. He has released one album, three EPs, various stand-alone singles, and has been invited to participate on diverse initiatives such as Piano Layers by 7K!, Recollections I, II and III by Sonder House, and Project XII by Deutsche Grammophon.
It is a varied collection of works I have been enjoying recently, characterized by this very specific kind of rawness and warmth that I look for in music. I also included a new piece I will be releasing on May.
One of the advantages of currently attending the conservatory is that I am thinking music all the time. Whether I am solving harmony exercises, singing in a choir, performing music with a chamber ensemble or simply doing some historical research, I am constantly exercising my ears and incorporating the resources I enjoy the most into my work.
As Facundo Cabral says: no soy de aqu, ni soy de all. While I do appreciate the diverse cultural heritage in my country, I never learned how nor felt the need to embrace it as my own, at least not as part of my artistic explorations.
We created PnC to help artists around the world develop projects that push boundaries and create conversation. I t is important for us to enrich and broaden the creative communities that we are part of, and to make them fairer and more supportive environments for everyone.
We actually started producing music videos, short film, and musical projects. The blog was born to keep the platform active and to spread the word about who we were and what we did. Despite involving all types of artistic disciplines, the neo/contemporary/modern classical music community became a relevant audience and, naturally, we started growing into that direction. Two years later, because of the exciting curatorial possibilities, we felt that founding a boutique record label would be the ideal next step to keep supporting the artists we adore.
We are two of the many bridges between musicians and listeners and I think it is our duty to be unconditionally fair in our curatorial processes, and in the deals we offer our artists so they can truly own their works and have real chances of living off their art. It is sad and infuriating to see how biased and abusive most record labels and other music platforms are, even the smallest ones.
When I want that kind of muted, lo-fi sound so common in most of my compositions, I record at home. I got an upright piano in my bedroom without any sort of acoustic treatment and very poor production skills but it seems to be enough sometimes. For recording, I have a couple of Russian Oktava condenser microphones (A/B Stereo), a Zoom H6N (for ambience), a RME Fireface UCX interface, and a laptop with Ableton Live 10.
I would recommend exploring our websites. To stay updated on future projects, subscribing to our newsletters, and following us on Bandcamp, Instagram, and Spotify is a good idea.Thanks for this mix and for doing this interview with us!
In the realm of music, where talent is the compass guiding artists through diverse genres and traditions, Yeisy Rojas stands out. From her humble beginnings at the age of 7, when she gained acceptance into Cuba's prestigious National Art School, to her current status as an award-winning musician, Rojas's journey is a testament to dedication, versatility, and an unwavering passion for music.
Rojas's musical odyssey commenced within the hallowed halls of the National Art School of Cuba, where she immersed herself in the intricacies of Western classical music. Over a span of 11 years, she honed her craft, eventually earning a coveted position as a violinist at the Opera House in Havana. Simultaneously, she lent her skills as an accompanying pianist to the National Ballet of Cuba. This period not only showcased her proficiency in classical traditions but also marked the genesis of her exploration into the rich tapestry of traditional Cuban music and Latin jazz.
Venturing beyond her Cuban roots, Rojas undertook a transformative journey to Norway, where she studied the realm of jazz violin at the Conservatory of Kristiansand. The subsequent five years, dedicated to a bachelor's and master's degree in Jazz violin, bore witness to the genesis of her own Latin jazz quartet. In this ensemble, she played the roles of a vocalist and composer, showcasing her multifaceted musical skills. The InterContinental Music Award for the 2023 Best of America Latin Folk is a testament to her exceptional talent. Additionally, the Los Angeles Film Awards bestowed upon her the accolade for the Best Song with "Mama Ines" in September 2023, further cementing her status as a notable figure in the global music scene.
Rojas's collaborative spirit is reflected in her associations with renowned artists such as Sturla Berg-Johansen, Frydis Groud, Gaston Joya, Rodney Barreto, Tore Petterson, Rolando Luna, Yissy Garcia, and Adel Gonzales. Her repertoire extends to the prestigious Billboard "On The Radar, June 2023," where her single "Mama Ines" found its place among the top 9 singles, attesting to her ability to captivate diverse audiences. For those seeking an immersive experience into Yeisy Rojas's musical universe, her latest album, 'A Mis Ancestros,' is a definitive must-listen. Dedicated to her ancestors who paved the way, each track resonates with Latin Jazz brilliance that leaves audiences yearning for more. As the melodies unfold, the album becomes not just a musical journey but a homage to her heritage and roots.
Yeisy Rojas stands as a beacon of musical ingenuity, and 'A Mis Ancestros' is a testament to her ability to weave a narrative through notes and melodies, honoring the past while beckoning the future. Keep your ears attuned, for Yeisy Rojas, we have a feeling that you will be seeing and hearing more about this talented artist.
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