In-diferente (Multitrack, 2009)
Beselch Rodríguez is part of a new generation of timple players in the Canary Islands that are creating new hybrid forms, combining traditional music with jazz and global music influences. The timple is one of the small guitars of the world and one of the ancestors of the increasingly popular Hawaiian ukulele.
In-diferente features original compositions by Beselch and members of his band along with compositions by Chick Corea, flamenco guitarist Juan Manuel Cañizares and a Brazilian choro tune by Zequinha de Abreu featuring a cavaquinho, another small guitar related to the timple, originally from Portugal.
The traditional music influences range from Canary Island folk music to Venezuelan joropo and flamenco. The Venezuelan connection with the Canary Islands is very strong. In the 20th Century, thousands of Canary Islanders immigrated to Venezuela so the cultural traffic back and forth brought the two communities together.
Throughout the album there are notable timple solos as well as beautiful interactions between the much larger Spanish guitar and the timple.
The lineup on In-diferente includes Beselch Rodríguez on timple; Kico León on drums and percussion; Sisi del Castillo on percussion; Carlos Perdomo on electric bass and vocals; Marcos del Castillo on guitars; Pablo Díaz on flute; Polo Ortí on piano; Jorge Hernández on guitars; Guillermo Chávez on electric bass; Bis González on electric guitar; Gonzalo de Araoz on electric guitar; Naudo Rodrígues on cavaquinho; Sandra Morales on vocals; Alberto Méndez “El Naranja” on electric bass; and Francisco García on flute.
Beselch Rodríguez was born in La Laguna (Tenerife Island) in 1984. A self-taught musician, Beselch Rodríguez started playing the timple at age 12. Even though he started as a folk musician, he soon formed his own band, playing contemporary folk music, rooted in traditional music. Beselch is currently one of the leading timple players in the Canary Islands. His goal is to revitalize traditional music instruments by mixing them with other instruments and musical genres. In additional to his solo work, he has collaborated with various ensembles and musical projects such as COLMUM (Colectivo de Músicas Mestizas), Troveros de Asieta, Fabiola Socas, Francis Hernández, rock band Species, Polo Ortí, Brandania and Chago Melián.
Author: Angel Romero
Angel Romero y Ruiz has dedicated his life to musical exploration. His efforts included the creation of two online portals, worldmusiccentral.org and musicasdelmundo.com. In addition, Angel is the co-founder of the Transglobal World Music Chart, a panel of world music DJs and writers that celebrates global sounds. Furthermore, he delved into the record business, producing world music studio albums and compilations. His works have appeared on Alula Records, Ellipsis Arts, Indígena Records and Music of the World.
