Matthew White is a revelation of our music. And the best proof of his talent is the new album, "Matthew 7.24", soon to be released in the United States and several Latin American countries. In this CD, which has opted for the label Global Music Entertainment, White takes a tour of several Latin American rhythms, through which it can demonstrate the versatility and power of his voice. On this album (which, part of the proceeds will go to charity), stands out the category of team members who have accompanied White on his production arrangements include composer Gustavo Arenas, who has been nominated for a Latin Grammy, on several occasions, and the participation of guitarist and producer Dan Warner, who has won awards from the likes of Grammy and EMI. It is also outstanding work Vinicio Ludovic, creator of the main arrays of mambos, who has become known as bassist Carlos Vives. And Joseph Aguirre looks, by the winds, with the same energy and virtuosity he displayed in his years working with Grupo Niche and Yuri Buenaventura. Also excellent companion Catherine Rodriguez singer, guitarist, Santiago Jimenez and traditional singer of our Caribbean coast Gabriel Romero.
7.24 Matthew gives us a very interesting scenario, where are achieved combinations of instruments and rhythms that might be thought unlikely, but in the end produce a lovely result. White, following the example of Placido Domingo, performs works by indigenous popular with academic touch refined tenor voice (though some better classified as "baritone-Martin", taking into account the color and extent of his voice).
This production is the result of the intense preparation of the artist, who has taken his musical identity, since the beginning of adolescence. I met him about ten years ago, through the lyric soprano Elisa Brex Argentina, one of its propulsion. In those days, when Brex, Gloria Zea and other leaders of our classical music he prophesied a brilliant avenir as a singer, his interest was in the best operas of the Italian repertoire (especially the sublime Verdi trilogy), which reached maximum arias master. Alternated their time between high school study and cultivation of her vocal gifts and, despite his youth, he counted among his admirers and important people in our culture, as David Manzur and Debora Arango, who, in an interview, said, talking about Matthew, "Her voice is like thunder, which goes directly to the hearts of those who hear." For its part, the teacher Camilo Isaza Torres and his wife, my dear friend Dona Helena, convinced of the talent of this young man, became sponsors of recording his first experiments.
And his supporters were right from the start, then once Mateo traveled to the United States to specialize in Florida Atlantic University, managed to impress positively to their teachers and distinguished musicians living in the Northern giant, known as the composer George David Wiss, soprano Renee Fleming the ineffable and the famous Aretha Franklin, who had the honor of playing duo "Besame Mucho". So, not long for our singer was invited to participate in concerts that could showcase their talents to world figures such as former U.S. President George Bush and former British Prime Minister Tony Blair.
In these wanderings, he met the distinguished producer Gustavo Arenas, who would be his link input to studies of Global Music Entertainment. And here's the result: "Matthew 7.24", an album with all the ingredients necessary to launch an artist for sure.
I join, then, commentators have extolled the importance of birth in the light of this new figure in Colombia, which enhances the image of our young people elsewhere.
Author: Sergio Esteban Velez
Copyright World Edition Newspaper Friday, July 31, 2009
Tags: 7:24 , discography , the world , press
