Libertad

Levy. Yasmin
World Village
World | Jan 2013

Reviews

Abu Ramses
Reviewed 2013-01-15
Yasmin Levy, Libertad (Freedom), Adama Music/World Village, 2012
Reviewed by Abu Ramses
ALL TRACKS FCC CLEAN

Jerusalem-born (1975) Yasmin Levy was introduced to Ladino music & culture by her Turkish father, a leading scholar of Judeo-Spanish culture, which Jews carried with them to the Ottoman domains after their expulsion from Spain in 1492. Yasmin mixes this passionate & romantic musical style with Andalusian Flamenco, Argentinian tango, Portuguese fado & guest appearance by The Strings Orchestra of Istanbul (4, 11, 12). More original material on this album than her previous ones (2 others in the KZSU library). Most tracks are mid-tempo to emphasize the emotion. All worth a play.

Try: 1, 4, 7, 9, 11

Tracks

1. La Ultima Cancion (The last song) – music & lyrics by Yasmin; guitar, accordion & vocal tango; solo trumpet on breaks - 3'19
2. La Nave del Olvide (Ship to oblivion) - music & lyrics by Dino Ramos; mostly fado-style guitar and vocal - 4'02
3. Libertad (Freedom) - music & lyrics by Yasmin ; a feminist anthem - 4'04
4. Firuze (a woman’s name) – a Turkish favorite, intro by Turkish strings, big instrumental ensemble on breaks - 5'01
5. Tal Vez (Maybe) -music by Yuval Levy, lyrics by Yasmin; string intro - 4'33
6. Olvidate de Mi (Forget about me) – music & lyrics by Yasmin; slow duet with Mallorcan singer Buika, soft Flamenco hand-clapping & guitar in background - 5'59
7. Aman Doktor (Mercy doctor) – traditional Ladino; solo acoustic guitar intro, slow, tango beat tapping on the guitar - 3'56
8. Recuerdo (Memory/Soghati) – a Persian song; solo flamenco guitar & fado style singing - 6'28
9. Skalerikas de Oro (A ladder of gold) -trad. Ladino; hand clapping duet - 3'52
10. Cada Dia (Daily) - music & lyrics by Yasmin; pure flamenco - 4'44
11. Shoef K'mo Eved (Yearning like a slave)- trad. music, Hebrew lyrics by Shlomo Ibn Gvirol (1021-58); sparing bass & guitar picking, strings are the climax - 4'59
12. La Rosa Enflorece (The rose blooms) – (The Rose blooms) – traditional, big Turkish strings - 2'55

Recent airplay

Olvidate De Mi (Forget About Me)
Firuze (A Woman’S Name
MelangeJun 30, 2016
Aman Doktor (Mercy Doctor)
Music CasseroleApr 13, 2013
Firuze (A Woman’S Name
MediterraneansApr 11, 2013
Firuze (A Woman’S Name
Music CasseroleMar 23, 2013
Libertad (Freedom)
MediterraneansMar 13, 2013

Charting

2013-02-09 — 2013-04-14 Reggae/World
Week EndingAirplays
Apr 14 2
Mar 24 1
Mar 17 1
Mar 10 1
Mar 3 1
Feb 24 2
Feb 17 1

Track listing

1. La Ultima Cancion (The Last Song)
2. La Nave Del Olvide (Ship To Oblivion)
3. Libertad (Freedom)
4. Firuze (A Woman?S Name
5. Tal Vez (Maybe)
6. Olvidate De Mi (Forget About Me)
7. Aman Doktor (Mercy Doctor)
8. Recuerdo (Memory/Soghati)
9. Skalerikas De Oro (A Ladder Of Gold)
10. Cada Dia (Daily)
11. Shoef K'mo Eved (Yearning Like A Slave)
12. La Rosa Enflorece (The Rose Blooms)