July 14th, 2023
SEARCHING FOR A MEMORY OUT NOW
Sammy Figueroa's new album, Searching For A Memory (Busco Tu Recuerdo), is now available to purchase or stream worldwide!
Searching For A Memoery (Busco Tu Recuerdo) features GRAMMY-winning Cuban pianist Gonzalo Rubalcaba and the dynamic Latin GRAMMY-winning Cuban vocalist Aymée Nuviola. Produced by multiple GRAMMY-nominated producer, Rachel Faro, Figueroa’s first album in nearly a decade is dedicated to the memory and music of his father, the late romantic singer Charlie Figueroa.
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July 7th, 2023
"ESSENTIAL" "INDISPENSABLE"
"Charlie’s greatest hit single was “Busco Tu Recuerdo,” in which he sings of searching for the memory of his loved one only to discover that there is no memory, only a dream. This parallels Sammy’s experience – he never really knew his dad – when he searches for a memory of his father, all he finds is a dream. The dream is within reach here, with highly poetic lyrics and warmly arranged music, jazz-infused boleros that strike your soul like the sound of a wave crashing against rocks after a storm. Here, the bolero reaches its pinnacle, like a timeless art, like a Dali painting that hasn’t dried yet, blame it on the melting clocks that slowly rewind time, a temporality so precisely conveyed by this exquisite musical photography orchestrated by Sammy Figueroa."
Read full English review here
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"La música rebosa sentimiento puro, evocando los altibajos del estilo de vida bohemia de Charlie Figueroa, al tiempo que traza un mapa de las emociones de Sammy cuando reconsidera el papel de su padre en su vida. La suavidad nocturna de las baladas de jazz latino cantadas por Nuviola se ve interrumpida por los inquietantes solos de piano de Rubalcaba en un álbum que es un homenaje a cada uno de los músicos-storytellers participantes, así como a los Figueroa, padre e hijo."
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July 7th, 2023
Puerto Rican organization Fundación Nacional para la Cultura Cultural writes a rave review for Sammy Figueroa's new release Searching For A Memory (Busco Tu Recuerdo)
"Searching for a Memory es un álbum necesario y obligado que deleita de principio a fin. Documento musical que reafirma la excelencia de Sammy Figueroa y de cada uno de los cómplices de tan bello trabajo."
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July 6th, 2023
SAMMY FIGUEROA Releases New Album Searching For A Memory (Busco Tu Recuerdo) JULY 14
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ANANDI Releases New Album Showing Us
"A Better Way"
Ashé Records is proud to announce the release of A Better Way, an album of original songs by Anandi, in collaboration with producer Greg Goebel.A brilliantly talented Portland-based singer/songwriter, jazz stylist and music educator, Anandi returns to her songwriting roots, delivering a potent blend of spiritual and social consciousness mingled with commentary on the complexities of love. The uplifting title track, inspired by the homeless crisis in her hometown, speaks to poverty and despair, encouraging us to find ‘a better way’; on "Truth, Peace & Solitude" she reminds us to bring balance to our body, mind & soul; "Mandela" praises a great leader and his vision. Other songs, such as “Don’t Go To Bed Angry”, “Surrender To Me” and “Pleasure With The Pain” speak to the complexity of love relationships.Best known for his work with Portland area-based superstar Gino Vanelli, Greg Goebel’s accomplished musicianship surrounds Anandi’s clear and soulful voice with emotional and dynamic arrangements. Except for a guest appearance by tenor saxophonist Adrian Baxter on an upbeat version of Jim Pepper’s cult classic “Witchi-tai-to” there are only two creators on this album and the results are brilliant.With a name that means ‘bliss’ in Sanskrit one could easily infer that Anandi’s music would conjure up sounds and images of sleepy mellowness. But this isn’t “New Age” music. Anandi’s songs have a strong sense of wakefulness, containing a sense of wisdom and poetry rarely encountered in today's pop music.With her beautiful voice and as a talented composer of accessible songs with thoughtful lyrics this album should firmly establish Anandi as a major talent and an artist with much to offer. This is an album of poignant lyricism and melodic sophistication that invites multiple listens and invitations to share. A Better Way shall be digitally released and available on all streaming platforms Friday, October 28th, 2022. Anandi will be performing the music from her album in two live shows, on November 15th at Portland's intimate jazz venue The 1905 and on December 16th at Portland's premier venue, The Jack London Revue.A portion of the proceeds from the Jack London Revue show will go to benefit Rose Haven, a nonprofit organization aiding homeless women and children.
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Holiday Music by Odetta and Yomo Toro
It's never too early to plan for Christmas! Ashé Records is proud of its two classic Chrismas releases by two iconic artists from two important musical cultures. Odetta, one of America's most distinguished African-American singers and musical scholars, sings the old Christmas Spirituals as they were sung 200 years ago. This is a music that, born of oppression, lifts and frees the spirit. Celebremos Navidad, by Puerto Rico's beloved Yomo Toro, takes the old aguinaldos sung every year at Christmas time in Puerto Rico and offers them back with swinging salsa and bomba/plena arrangements played and sung by Puerto Rico and New York's finest. These records may celebrate the season but they're good all year round.
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MEMORY OF WATER: SAMMY FIGUEROA PLAYS THE HANGPAN
NOW AVAILABLE ON CD!
"The sound of the hangpan reminds us of the fluid and clear nature of water. It awakens ancient memories and renews our souls."
It's been a long wait but Memory of Water is finally available on physical CD, complete with credits and liner notes by producer Rachel Faro. Over the years this very special instrument and its bell-like harmonious tones have become popular throughout the world. Basically a steel drum created from a sophisticated metal alloy, and played with hands and fingers, the recording of this album, accomplished in one afternoon, displays Sammy's rhythmical and melodic skill.
The CD is available for order on Amazon Prime. The music is also available on all streaming services.
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| Alvin Ailey Dance Company's 'Odetta' pays homage to "the Queen of American Folk Music" |
The Alvin Ailey Dance Company has created an acclaimed piece "Odetta", which continues to be included in their repertory. Choreographed by Matthew Rushing and originally danced by Hope Boykin, the inspiration for this work began when Ailey Artist Director Robert Battle attended the memorial for Odetta in New York's Riverside Church with Rachel Faro, president of Ashe Records and producer of the album Beautiful Star. Robert was so moved by this memorial, where he heard the words of Maya Angelou and the dedicated singing of Pete Seeger that he encouraged Matthew Rushing to choreograph a suite of dances around several of Odetta's songs. This tribute to one of America's greatest African-American personages remains one of Ailey's most popular offerings.
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