pedro ricardo & damián botigué: un nuevo amanecer
Francisco Espregueira
Barcelona's renowned record label, Canela En Surco, proudly unveils the mesmerizing collaborative debut album from Pedro Ricardo & Damián Botigué (a.k.a. Karmasound). Un Nuevo Amanecer, translated to ‘A New Dawn’, is a magnum opus that has been crafted over four years. In fact, sometime ago I was sitting with Damián at Passeio das Virtudes in Porto and he talked about this very original project with Pedro that was in the making. And here it is. A project that was born out of a deep friendship between the two artists, when both were based in Barcelona and sharing musical influences of folk and jazz fusion records. Composed by eight tracks, the album represents a harmonious blend of their cultural backgrounds—Pedro, hailing from the hub of Porto, and Damián, an Argentine raised in Galicia—resulting in a rich tapestry of traditional influences seamlessly interwoven with a contemporary vision.
Embarking on an immersive sonic odyssey, Un Nuevo Amanecer takes listeners on an unique journey. The album unfolds gradually, increasing in intensity with each track. The A-side delights with ethereal, cinematic folk melodies in "Como El Viento" and "Atlántico," effortlessly transitioning from vibrant Latin fusion rhythms in the title track "Un Nuevo Amanecer" and towards the captivating "Sem Dizer." On the B-side, the energy intensifies further, unveiling two love letters to the golden era of 70s Latin jazz-funk in "Juntos y a Distancia" and "Cerca de Mi," while the irresistible blend of bossa nova and candombe in "Mar de Fora" adds an enchanting allure to the album.
Pedro Ricardo and Damián Botigué have garnered individual acclaim for their respective solo endeavors, with Pedro's celebrated debut LP on Soundway Records and Damián's mastery of broken beat fused with a vairety of rhythms as Karmasound. "Un Nuevo Amanecer" marks their inaugural collaboration - one that was bound to happen - showcasing their shared creative brilliance and pushing the boundaries of traditional music with a contemporary flair. This album not only represents a significant milestone in their artistic journeys but also resonates with us on a personal level, looking at the Atlantic Ocean every day. Available on vinyl, courtesy of Canela En Surco.