Release Date: September
25, 2017
Label: TSM Productions
Music that has flavor, color and personality are what gets
my heart pumping. Victor Samalot is a name that was hard for me to forget. I
covered some music by his band Rare Blend back in 2006. I am so glad he stayed
in touch and invited me to cover his new album Esperanza.
Esperanza
is
a Spanish word for “hope.” So, if you have
an ounce of hope in your soul that some good music will change your mood…then
it is mission accomplished with this album.
Victor is an accomplished guitarist and he reaches new
heights on Esperanza. My love for Latin
flavored music goes back many years when I listened to Segovia, DiMeola and
many others that took that style and brewed it into a world fusion that blew my
mind. This is not that kind of music however I do appreciate an individual
artist sitting down and playing their instrument with minimum to no
accompaniment.
With nine tracks offered up on Esperanza, one great tune after another just poured out of the
speakers. It was like Victor picked up his guitar and never put it down. The
flow and pace that he sets right from the start is like a river that knows
exactly where it is going.
I do not think it would be fair to mention any particular
track that stands out on an album that is so outstanding from beginning to end.
That is no exaggeration either. The nine tracks went by in the blink of an
eyelash for me. Anytime I really enjoy the music as much as I did this, time is
relative to that enjoyment button getting pushed in all the way in and not
popping back out. That is a major accomplishment for any artist trying to get
your attention and then keeping it. My ears are designed to evaluate thus
making the experience quite a bit different than just a casual listen.
With all of that in mind, I first think about how the music
makes me feel then from that point listen to the story that may be unfolding
and finally the production values. Victor gets an A+ an all accounts. The story
part however is going to have to be your own, it is very alive and cinematic
music so that will not be a problem.
Esperanza
is
a work of art and I hope that Mr. Samalot decides to keep going in this
direction because he certainly has the mojo to play any type of Latin flavored
music and make a direct impact on a listener.
5/5
Stars
Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck
December 4, 2017
Founder of:
Review
Provided By Write A Music Review
Tracks:
1. Mofongo
2. Cafe Puerto Rico
3. Esperanza
4. El Torero
5. El Hombre Sin Nombre
6. Struttin
7. La Plaza
8. Streets Of Barcelona
9. One For The Road
Tracks:
1. Mofongo
2. Cafe Puerto Rico
3. Esperanza
4. El Torero
5. El Hombre Sin Nombre
6. Struttin
7. La Plaza
8. Streets Of Barcelona
9. One For The Road
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