July 6, 2010

One of the true masters of flamenco guitar and culture, especially Nuevo Flamenco, renowned German-born Ottmar Liebert casts his seductive spell on fans once again with a truly sweet, embracing, and oh-so-melodic production, Petals On the Path.

Here with his usual accompaniment, Luna Negra (whose personnel has changed too many times to count but never ever seems to lose the flow),  Liebert tries something a bit different and pares down to a trio (Ottmar on guitar, bassist Jon Gagan–the only original member of Luna Negra–on bass and keys, and Michael Chavez on drumkit) and provides a simple yet extraordinarily rich collection of ideas in the form of some of the most romantic and filling music you can imagine from one so versed in the art of caressing and feeling. As he states, “For this project, I was writing and playing without considering anything external. There isn’t even an occasional look to tradition here. It’s Post-Category music defined by the chemistry of the trio. There is great feeling of independence, of liberation.” 

For this project, the band played “live” in the studio and without digitalization (moving away from this has become an increasingly popular preference among artists as they seem to defer more and more to the ground level practices of those artists of years long gone).  That is not only refreshing but raises one’s appreciation for tangibles like the incredible bass lines and intangibles like mood changes and chemistry.

This album, while still very nuevo flamenco at its core– because that’s just who Ottmar Liebert & Luna Negra are– manages to span several genres.

The opening track, “Jump,” has that peppy step that Liebert’s music can don with all of his charm and attention to hooks. It’s followed by a handsome blue piece appropriately titled “Blue by Blue.” Its lure is in the meticulous handling of Liebert’s guitar as he strives to tell a story with each stroke.  “Dancing Alone” is another hook-rich charmer, as is “On the Road to Shiraz,” as is “Future Green,” as is…well, you get the picture, and he paints a very vivid one, by the way (as if his fans would be surprised!).   In addition, there are some real moments in this CD, including some musical “movements” of note like those found in “Tokyo After Midnight.”

Petals On the Path is another chapter in the long and productive story of Ottmar Liebert & Luna Negra.  Judging from the abundance of concepts, perspectives, and melodies, their story has just begun.  –  Ronald Jackson