Selva

My favorite album right now :) Happy tunes!

worldlisteningpost.comIn the Peruvian rainforest where Ciro Hurtado grew up, the sun peaked through the tree canopy and radio brought musical breezes from neighboring countries and around the world. Though he has lived in the United States since he was 20, Hurtado has spent his life as a guitarist and composer creating his own hybrid habitat, with an abundance of musical species—Andean folk, classical, jazz, blues, flamenco, among others—fusing into a magical echo/ecosystem. On his newest album, Selva (Jungle), he combines his prodigious talents with an ensemble of artists to produce a 13-track collection (six instrumental, the rest with vocal accompaniment) and rarely has a rainforest seemed so welcoming. In the gentle wind of Así Eres Tu En Mi Corazón (This Is How You Are in My Heart), he plays and directs a profusion of Andean instruments, joined with the voices of Trio Ellas: “As brightness of moon and sun/Light at dawn/Wildflower/So are you in my heart”. Guitar and alto flute carry Pacto de Amor (Covenant of Love), along with the soothing tones of Suemy Gonzalez: “Give me again, my darling/The nectar of your faithful lips/Lost in eternity,” she sings. The pace quickens with Rio (River), the current driven by Hurtado’s guitar and the lovely but wordless vocals of the aptly named Suzanne Waters. Other outstanding tracks are Corre, Salta y Vuela (Run, Jump and Fly), conveying the excitement of homecoming; the mellow dance of Suavecito (Softly) and the instrumental Cumbia de la Selva. In the modern urban world, jungles are often depicted as dangerous and lawless; Ciro Hurtado shows us the flip side of a nurturing, embracing and inspiring environment.

Ciro Hurtado is a leading proponent of soft, gentle, Latin-styled music that will appeal to anyone who likes laid-back Latin, world-fusion or new age. A great acoustic guitarist originally from Peru where he grew up in the Amazonian rainforest jungle (his album is titled SELVA which means jungle in Spanish), Ciro now brings together an all-star Latin-music cast on his recordings. Half of this new album is instrumental and the other half features various females gently singing in Spanish. This is EXTREMELY beautiful music that crosses borders and barriers with widespread appeal.SELVA is well-produced, boundary-pushing world-fusion music with all types of ethnic instruments (especially stringed-ones from South America, wood flutes and exotic percussion). The overall sound, while mostly gentle and soft, also exudes a distinct flavor of the Peruvian jungle where Hurtado grew up secluded from many aspects of civilization (before moving to the United States). This music is the next best thing to taking a South American vacation.

Ciro Hurtado describes in his booklet that his life in the Peruvian rainforest had a fascinating start, and that his connection to the world was a radio which would play a variety of musical styles.Ciro Hurtados beautiful album “Selva” with Latin style music is a testament of this eclecticism and magic in his music. The quality of all tracks and performances is stunning; I love the versatility of styles, and the Latin feel. Ciro is a superb master guitarist as well. This album is a must for any guitarist!! (My favorite track is Nr. 12 “Zamba Triste” on “replay” right now).

Ciro Hurtado is a great Composer and Guitarist. His most recent album “Selva” is a delicacy and a perfect example of Ciro’s versatility and eclectic style that includes a vast influence in world music ranging from Latin American to European styles. He selected world class musicians to play in his album, and he showcases his very own amazing skills. This album is well-produced and sounds pristine.