Pedro Ricardo & Damián Botigue – Un Nuevo Amanecer (Canela En Surco, 2023)
Pedro Ricardo and Damián Botigue, in their collaborative debut LP titled “Un Nuevo Amanecer” (A New Dawn), present a remarkable mix of musical talents. Pedro Ricardo joins forces with Damián Botigue, a skilled maestro in candombe broken beat, to craft a captivating album that has been four years in the making. The genesis of this album can be traced back to the friendship that blossomed between the two artists after they met at a Canela En Surco party in Barcelona. Sharing a common interest in folk and jazz fusion, Pedro and Damián embarked on a journey of exploring new modes of artistic expression that draw inspiration from their respective cultural roots.
“Un Nuevo Amanecer” serves as a bridge between two worlds, effortlessly merging the diverse influences of its creators. Pedro, originally from Portugal, and Damián, an Argentine raised in Galicia, northwestern Spain, fuse their distinct backgrounds and perspectives to create a captivating musical experience. This album stands as a testament to their commitment to embracing their origins while embracing innovation.
To bring their artistic vision to life, Pedro and Damián gathered a group of friends at Damián’s home studio in Barcelona’s Poble Sec neighborhood. Though their initial intention was simply to enjoy themselves, the end result is a fine album that skillfully brings together South American traditions and modernity.
The record unfolds gradually, with each track increasing in intensity. The journey commences with the gentle and melodic opening of “Un Nuevo Amanecer,” followed by the ethereal and cinematic folk compositions of “Como El Viento” and “Atlántico.” The A-side concludes with the delicately tender piece, “Sem Dizer.”
On the B-side, the album reaches its pinnacle of intensity with the persistent galloping rhythms of “Juntos y a Distancia” and the 140 BPM Latin jazz-funk homage titled “Cerca de Mi.” Additionally, the intricate bossa nova jam “Mar de Fora” further showcases the musical prowess of Pedro and Damián.
Pedro Ricardo’s acclaimed debut LP on Soundway Records in 2023 has garnered widespread recognition, while Damián has captivated audiences with his solo endeavors in broken beat fused with Latin rhythms under the moniker Karmasound. Their respective achievements have earned them the support of renowned DJs such as Gilles Peterson, John Gómez, and Mafalda, among numerous others.
Guests include Luis Tánez on cajón and guitar solo; S. Hernández on bird whistle effects; Breixo Martinez on vocals; and Sara Bee, Cris Barrientos,Andrea Seoane, Denis Galocha and Cristian Diamante on backing vocals.
Buy Un Nuevo Amanecer.
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.