L. A. - based guitarist Chris Mello’s brand new release “THE GLOBAL VILLAGE” delivers a spectacular musical journey that embraces the guitar as the centerpiece within a tapestry of global musical influences from Cuba to Brazil to [+]    L. A. - based guitarist Chris Mello’s brand new release “THE GLOBAL VILLAGE” delivers a spectacular musical journey that embraces the guitar as the centerpiece within a tapestry of global musical influences from Cuba to Brazil to Africa.      These ten original compositions explore fresh new points of the “musical compass” while still delivering an unparalleled level of spontaneity, interaction, and virtuosity that one would expect from a modern jazz recording.      Fusing the infectious rhythms of Latin/South America with the elements of jazz, Mello creates compositions with memorable melodies, lush harmonies, coupled with some truly irresistible grooves. His playing here has redefined and reshaped the role of the guitar beyond the traditional limits of “Latin Jazz”.      Each of the ten tracks offers an opportunity for a fresh and new musical discourse in groove and style. “Rumba Para Zaza” explores Cuban rumba through a thoroughly more modern approach. “Preguntas” offers a new take on the vibrantly danceable Colombian cumbia. The adventurous melody on the mambo “Clavecity” twists and turns like a modern day roller coaster ride, while the playful “Raffa Y Manny” evokes Flamenco-like passions without being overt. Even the South African - flavored “Unnoticed Moments” manages to successfully marry Coltrane’s harmony with the evocatively joyful grooves of Y’oussou N’dour.      Backed by an ensemble of stellar L.A. session veterans, each track features the highest level of playing with a group that turns the “groove meter” up to “10”. Featuring: Otmaro Ruiz – Keyboards Rene Camacho – Bass Aaron Serfaty – Drums Bryan Brock – Percussion      As a player, Mello’s astoundingly singular artistic sensibilities have rendered him a high profile contributor to numerous recordings. On both Nylon and Electric guitars, his carefully woven melodic ideas, innovative harmonies, and mastery of a multitude of “local guitar dialects” define him as a “unique musical voice” in a sea of modern jazz guitar clones. His writing exhibits his passion for vibrant music cultures flowing over an open tributary of modern jazz. All–in – all, a thoroughly enjoyable recor
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