Half world, half art songs performed with classical rigor by New York-based Mexican jazz singer Magos Herrera and string quartet Brooklyn Rider in Spanish mostly; meant to register a cry against state brutality but fundamentally a work of art; ; great range and variety; the blend of Herrera's resonant voice with the versatility of the strings (the wonders of pizzicato!) really make this a standout

NO FCC's; Favorite tracks: 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11

*1—Nina –6:16 – beautifully rendered poem by Octavio Paz; lovingly sung, compellingty accompanied by violin pizzicato and bowed, drum

2 – Balderrama –5:18 – a little languorous, but always interesting version of Argentine folk song made popular by Mercedes Sosa

*3 – Dreams –4:04 – soaringly sung English translation of a fragment of a poem by Octavio Paz; beautifully punctuated by strings

4 – De Manha –4:31 – somewhat dissonant background to song in Portuguese

*5 – Volver a los 17 –4:59-- exquisite lyrics in Spanish by Violeta Parra about returning to age 17 equally exquisitely rendered by Herrera and the pizzicato and bowing of Brooklyn Rider

6—Milonga Gris – 3:58 –Spanish scat singing by Herrera as Brooklyn Rider completes the mix

*7 –La Aurora de Nueva York Ft. Miguel Poveda –5:28 – quartet sets up nice little pizzicato rhythm which Herrera's voice and bowing weave through; the words document the horrors of capitalism; Herrera's voice has a bit of the roughness of flamenco; crying as much as singing

8 –Eu Vim Da Bahia –4:21 – paean to La Bahia; light and a little fluffy; fun!

*9—Coracao Vagabundo – 5:10 – tender ballad sung in Portuguese

10 –Tu Y Yo – 5:53 – based on a fragment of a poem by Ruben Dario

**11—La Llarona –6:11 – Mexican folk song based on the myth of the the weeping woman-- starts with far-off sounds that continue twinkling and come closer as singer's sad voice gathers steam and violins bow in; waltz rhythm

12—Luz de Luna –3:54 – lost love in the moonlight; evocative

13—Undiu—6:48 – starts with neo-classical “noise” and becomes more tuneful and rhythmic with singer repeating title; a little playful