Omar Sosa Releases New Solo Piano Recording – Available Only Online at www.melodia.com

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Omar Sosa Releases New Solo Piano Recording – Available Only Online at www.melodia.com

Recorded live at Radio Bremen, Germany, in November 2003, Aleatoric EFX is Omar Sosas fourth solo piano recording. It combines Omars free, improvisatory approach to the piano, with his use of a number of electronic effects, also directed live from the piano during the performance. The result is an engaging, multi-dimensional musical experience, with elements of jazz, classical, new music, and electronica. The term aleatoric refers to the chance or random ways in which the subtle electronic elements mesh with the performance both inside the piano and on the keyboard.

From the mysterious, ethereal beginnings of Follow My Shadow, with its bass string drone and yearning melodic figure, to the classical lyricism and haunting beauty of Impromptu in D Minor, the recording opens in a delicate, understated mood. Mute Ostinato in C continues Omars fascination with the bass drone, as in Indian classical music, combined with a series of lilting rhythmic figures, and unique use of the coco shells inside on the piano strings. Throughout these opening improvisations, we see the influence of one of Omars classical music mentors, Eric Satie.

Pentatonic Research reveals some of Omars daring harmonic sense, built on a dialogue of space-age motifs with Eastern overtones. This is followed by a version of Omars signature ballad, Iyawo, with its sweet, romantic melody, sliding, as he often does, into a subtle montuno groove. With Sobre Un Manto en E Minor and Siberian Horses, we continue to find ourselves traversing an aural landscape of longing, urgency and surrender.

Only toward the end of the recording, with Intense Moon in F# Minor and the rousing finale, Muevete en D, another of Omars signature compositions, does he take the energy to a dramatic level. For those who have enjoyed Omars previous solo piano outings, Aleatoric EFX is sure to be an enjoyable addition to the collection. For those who are new to this dimension of Omars musical sensibilities, it is sure to be a good place to start.

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