Almas conectadas

"Global album of the month" - "Almas Conectadas creates a (...) holistic and self-assured sound from Holland's keening string arrangements and an undulating clave groove. Opener Doncella sets the tone with its sweeping strings melody and dramatic bassline, before Góngora's tenor takes the lead on the salsa-referencing El Chiclan. She then shows exactly why she has the honorific musical title of cantora (...) on the album's standout title track, interweaving vocal runs through an intricate, high-register guitar melody and singing of the album's central themes of the interconnectedness of humans and the energies of the natural world. Throughout, Holland's gentle production layers polyrhythms, bowed strings and plucked melody, always providing ample space for Góngora's voice to soar atop the musical foundations without being weighed down by their intricacies. It is a challenging interplay, but one the pair both pull off with effortless aplomb, giving these tales of lost souls at sea, drunken revelry and forlorn romances an ornamental polish without losing their sense of tradition and rooted authenticity".

Læs anmeldelse

"This is Quantic's second full-length release with Colombian singer Nidia Góngora (although they have been working together for over ten years) but it couldn't be more different. Whereas their previous album, 2017's Curao, flitted between showcases of Góngora's Afro-Pacific heritage and Quantic's trademark dub and electronica productions, this one comes across as a long-lost Latin soul production, dripping with sumptuous strings, warm vocals and working through a litany of rhythms ... Throughout, oodles of fuzz and crackling guitar riffs, not to mention the melodious string arrangements that are now becoming a Quantic trademark, give the record the feel of those 60s and 70s pop and soul LPs, when it was still not out of the question to bring in an orchestra (...) to light up an album".

"On 2017's 'Curão' (...), Holland subtly infused programmed beats into Nidia's native South Pacific marimba music, with delicious results. For this eqully irresistible rematch, however, he ditches the electronica for a more organic approach ... With Ms Góngora presiding with effortless grace and range, and Quantic's string arrangements nudging towards Axelrod excellence, 'Almas Conectadas' exudes exceptional class".