>> John Beltran
bio: Ubiquity Records (URCD/LP142)On "Sun Gypsy" (his first Ubiquity album) John Beltran set out to explore his own roots and interest in Latin rhythms. "In Full Color" is his sixth album and he dives deeper into those roots but also brings the music full-circle integrating the ambient warmth and electronic sounds found on his first few albums. It's an album that very much reflects his personal tastes and history. It's also one that he hopes reaches Beltran fans of old while making new friends.
"The Latin thing is in my roots and has always shaded my sound in differing degrees no matter which of my albums you listen to. It happens to have become trendy and the floodgates are open for many producers to pursue this sound. But no matter what it's always been in my blood, and in my household. So I've kept the same sunny sound of "Sun Gypsy", it's warm and rhythmic, but I've also tapped into the melancholic moods of my early work."
With a direction dialed-in Beltran spent the time to make sure his mixes, and his approach to the end product, whether it be full-on club tracks like "Kissed By The Sun" (described by XLR8R as a "sunny, conga-fueled samba shuffle"), or "Candela" ("An absolute stormer!" exclaims Rainer Tr?by ), the more ambient passages like "Rain In Shibuya" and "Pictures And Indian Summer" or bossa tunes like "Dia Brioso," were as big and bold or as subtle and musically engaging as they could and should be. With lush pads and chord progressions fused with Latin vibes, rhythm programming, soaring vocal chorus, live performances and vocal collaborations this album showcases the growth of a unique producer/composer and catches him in full color.
"For me this is my best album yet, each song has its own space and identity but they work together from start to finish in a way that is similar to the cohesiveness of my Peacefrog album "Ten Days of Blue," says Beltran. "I've always had a deeper sensibility and bigger vision of my music with live players, not just machines - and being with Ubiquity is the right label profile and opportunity to incorporate my original electronic productions with the classic music forms I've always been into."
Helping reach this next level are very special guests from around the world: Producer Andreas Saag and partner/amazing vocalist Elsa Hedberg from Sweden (of Stateless, Swell Session, etc) collaborated on the enchanting "Starlight Memories" (look for the awesome Off World Ensemble mix on 12 inch). The multi-talented vocalist and keyboard player Ayro and fellow Detroit guitarist/producer John Arnold are all over the album. Colonel Red (the vocalist from Beatless and People Records recording artist) appears on "Your Colors." Lastly, the Candela Arts crew, including Local 12 (Turntables On The Hudson etc), from Puerto Rico round out the long distance collaborations. In fact at the recent Candela Arts festival in Puerto Rico CD-rs of "Candela" were thoroughly rinsed by the all-star DJ line-up and the tune quickly became a party anthem in old San Juan.
Following on from the Candela/Starlight Memories 12" will be a single featuring remixes by Osunlade and Buscemi, released just in time for WMC 2004. Beltran is also working on remixes for Roy Davis Jr, Osunlade, James Hardway and Colonel Red. He is set to tour Japan and the USA in 2004 as well as European dates both solo and with Detroit peers John Arnold and Jeremy Ellis.
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