Magia

My second album, Magia, is more dynamic and it is where the song that became a hit, “Se Me Va A Oxidar,” is introduced. This album is instrumentally rich and continues to contain ballads high in poetic content. Listen to Music Below!

Magia - front cover

The Puerto Rico of Old

Magia - back cover
The song “Recuerdos de Puerto Rico” (Memories of Puerto Rico) recounts some of the Puerto Rico long past. It’s a historical narration Magia - insert of sorts, recounting traditions and accompanied by sounds that are innately from the island of Puerto Rico. The “cuatro,” an instrument similar to a guitar but with only four strings, provides the genuine sound of the Puerto Rico of old.

I was able to obtain the music of the cuatro by flying to Puerto Rico. Chucho Avellanet, a famous and beloved singer from the island, whom I had befriended while living in Venezuela, was at the airport to receive me. He graciously took me to meet Los Hermanos Quique Domenech assuring me that if I wanted the sounds of a cuatro, I could not find them better anywhere else. He was right.

Magia is a love album. It speaks of love in a pure and beautiful way. This album reached very few because “Se Me Va A Oxidar” captured the industry and the focus went straight to that specific song.

Listen to Samples from the album Magia:

Magia

Magia (or Magic) is all about love and how vital love is to life. It was a song that I felt very passionate about, and I worked methodically to make the instrumentation outstanding. I wanted the sound to be airy, soft, and sweet, filled with string and wind instruments. I also wanted that soft sound to contrast with power, and searched for a tuba. I wanted it bad and for only three, but key, notes. The low sound of the tuba would support the high pitch crescendo that exists in the bridge. However, the tuba was nowhere to be found. Someone suggested a high school band, but it never happened.

Recuerdos de Puerto Rico

Recuerdos de Puerto Rico (Memories of Puerto Rico) – Speaks of Puerto Rican lore, paying homage to traditions of yesteryear and to Rafael Hernández, one of the island’s most famous composers.

Una Señal Tan Solo

Una Señal Tan Solo – In English, it means “All I need is a sign.” This song more than most rivaled “Se Me Va A Oxidar” for attention. It was quite curious, as they are so different one from another and from entirely different genres. It was the lyrics of Una Señal Tan Solo that captivated, but it was the rhythm and beat of Se Me Va A Oxidar that won the day.

Vienes a Mi Memoria

Vienes a Mi Memoria (You Come to Mind) is a walk through time, remembering a past love. Again, the instrumentation of this album is filled with strings and flutes. It was during this period that I attempted to create a stir within the music world that would take me as a composer of ballads and soft music. However, the industry decided that it would be bang-bang salsa or not at all. Thus, the birth of Se Me Va A Oxidar (It’s Gonna Get Rusty.)

Ponme La Crema

Ponme La Crema (Spread the Lotion) – The suggestive title and its fun-loving lyrics made this song a favorite. The song is a complete tease, with a young, beautiful girl sunbathing on a beach. After awhile, she finds that she is burning up and needs a volunteer who will “spread on the lotion.” I play the percussion on this one: cowbell, guiro, rainstick, and yes! I am the whistle blower here!

Quiero Volar Como Una Mariposa

Quiero Volar Como Una Mariposa (I want to Fly Like a Butterfly) – This youthful and whimsical song, with a chorus that huffs and puffs, simulating the constant movement of wings in motion, is all about flying freely like a butterfly to catch one’s dreams. Riding a breeze like a wave to quickly get there. Flying higher and higher and not worrying about your hair style. It’s a song that celebrates knowing that you are powerful because your wings are free, that your life is yours and that your daydreams can come true if you believe enough that you can reach (or fly) to get to them.