Music Review: Mario Grigorov – Paris to Cuba

Vitals:

Name: Mario Grigorov

Album: Paris to Cuba

Year: 2009

Label: Warm and Genuine Records

Genre: Jazz/International

The Skinny

Organic. Nostalgic. Cuban energy. Horn section. Interesting blend. Evokes emotion. Ability to set a mood. Guitar. Vocals. True to form.

Story

I was contacted last week by Caitlin from Two Sheps That Pass, “an independent music marketing company that specializes in online and brick-and-mortar marketing for both signed and unsigned artists”, according to their website. She mentioned Mario Grigorov’s new album having a Cuban-inspired theme and figured it would mesh well with the cigar smoking crowd who visit this site. So, thank you Caitlin, here’s the review!

Highlights

Unfortunately, some people have labeled me as a music snob. I definitely know what I like, and I also definitely know what I dislike. I teach guitar 6 days a week and when I listen to music in my spare time, I tend to be very picky. Once I received this album, my hopes were not set very high. Mario Grigorov is an artist I’d never heard about and not on my radar as an artist I’d ever review on this site…probably. I expected mediocrity. I was wrong. Here is what I discovered.

“Cuban Soil, Cuban Sun” starts this album off right smack dab in the middle of a Spanish courtyard if you will. A slow guitar resgueado lulls you into a state of relaxation immediately followed by a steady upright bass line. Imagine an oceanfront veranda and a steady breeze. Nice. Interesting organ melody (carnival music anyone?) sneaks in and out. Well-executed guitar melodies. Smoothly harmonized trumpet trio tops this tune off with a cherry, or maybe a lime? You decide.

“I See” enjoys a guest vocal performance by Melissa Newman. This has a straight up and down jazz standard feel to it. Nothing new, nothing bad. Sexy vocals. Certainly makes you tap your toe. Parts of it actually remind me a lot of “Spanish Caravan” from Chicago’s Night and Day album. Believe it or not.

“Ice Hotel” … now this is interesting. Talk about a blend. Someone put this sucker in the musical genre blender and hit the pulse button thirty times. Weird rockabilly reverb/overdriven guitar thing in the intro. Throaty sax drone. I feel like this should be in the video game No One Lives Forever 2… Again with the interesting keyboard action. Trumpets make another appearance. I’m not sure I get how this fits within the album title Paris to Cuba…it’s more like Miami to the Moon. Make sure you wear sunglasses for this one.

“Every Little Movement” is another vocal track. Solid tune. Relaxing. 007 theme anyone?

“Paris to Cuba” now THIS fits the album title very well. Excellent for cigar smoking! Muy bien! No explanation needed here. Smooooooth.

“Magic Circus” Okay again with the gypsy circus weirdness… it’s almost like Cuban/American techno. These would have to be some seriously creepy clowns. In some strange way I’d love to blast this at a stoplight here in West Virginia. I don’t figure the average Joe Dirt Toolshed dude would appreciate this track. I dig it though. Fo’ sho’.

“Snake Eyes” to me this is a filler song with vocals. Nothing new here either. Only thing different for me is muted trumpet work. And when I hear Snake Eyes, I immediately think Nicholas Cage. Nope, not getting the same imagery.

“Three Dozen Roses” is a very thoughtful and expressive piece. Very melodic, slow, and with elements of the Cuban/Spanish feel. Love it! This will definitely conjure up images of places that aren’t home to me.

Opinion

Overall I’m very happy to have received this album to listen to. I really like Mario’s ability to mesh together many different styles into these songs. I completely understand it wasn’t his intention to make a pure Cuban-style product here. I’m actually very excited to be able to give away this album with the help of Caitlin from Two Sheps That Pass. Why? So I can get your reactions to it and see if you heard the same things I did. Remember, I’m a music snob and a guitar teacher and my opinions really only matter to me. So by all means, enjoy this album, find it, buy it, give it a try. It’s quality ear candy and worth the attention. Kudos, Mario! Keep up the acclaimed work! Good luck to you all!

Giveaway

Simply post a comment below answering this question:

What would you expect to hear from an album titled “Paris to Cuba”?

The contest will end Wednesday, June 17th. I will randomly choose and email the winner and post it here on the page. And for those of you who didn’t win over on CigarInspector’s site, here’s your second chance! Thanks everyone!