Release Date: 29 March 2024
Label: Saphrane
Packaging Type: Slip Sleeve (CD or Vinyl)
No of Units: 1
Barcode: 8712618626221
Genres: World Music  European  
Release Date: 29 March 2024
Label: Saphrane
Packaging Type: Slip Sleeve (CD or Vinyl)
No of Units: 1
Barcode: 8712618626221
Genres: World Music  European  
Description
Aura, by Katerina Papadopoulou and her musical partners (Stefanos Dorbarakis - kanun , Giorgos Kontogiannis - lyra, and Kyriakos Tapakis - oud), is an album that breathes the saltiness of the Greek archipelago, its history, dimly lit like the flicker of a candle, but also captivating like the tales of the Greek writer Papadiamantis.
This is the continuation of a musical journey by Katerina Papadopoulou, which increasingly justifies her, and opens artistic paths not only for herself but also for her fellow travelers. 'Aura' is a series of songs from the Aegean Sea that, while heard before, are rarely interpreted in this way. Here, Papadopoulou not only converses with the musicians but also with her soul. You can hear it in the breaths of her singing, in the emotional burden she accepts and expresses sincerely and nobly. These songs, delivered in this way, evoke deep emotions and also embody a rare aesthetic. The contribution of Giorgos Kariotis, Christos Achladiotis (sound engineering), and Efren Lopez, a gifted musician and sound technician who handled the mastering, is not accidental. The three of them have created a sonic landscape that highlights the songs and the musical performance, which is not hurried but calm ('Disticha tis thalassas,' 'Bratsera,' 'Mera Merose,' 'Pernodiaveno'), simple but full, tumultuous and powerful when expressing Dionysian energy ('Mia Kori apo tin Amorgo'). Perhaps the most intense element is the beauty, gentleness, and dynamics of the silence that is allowed by the pauses in a complete musical phrase to hover without arrogance.
Katerina Papadopoulou notes about the album, "My companions, for yet another time, are Stefanos Dorbarakis, Giorgos Kontogiannis and Kyriakos Tapakis. Each of them is unique and absolutely irreplaceable for the overall distinctive sound, but mainly for the energy balance throughout our whole endeavour, from the first rehearsals, the voyage, the cohabitation, the performance, to the completion and the mutual support at all levels.
Together, in a fraternal partnership, Chariton Charitonidis, who gave a touch of intensity as well as a dancing dimension to the "Crab". The magic touch of sound always belongs to George Kariotis, with Christos Achladiotis's vital contribution, both traveling with us to record in the remote island of Karpathos for yet another time. Efren Lopez, whom we particularly respect, did the final mastering, adding a further shine to the final result."
Tracklisting
Brussels Jazz Orchestra
Katerina Papadopoulou & Anastatica
Katerina Papadopoulou & Aegean Arc
Gustavo Pazos Conde
Benjamin Hulett
Alexander Balanescu & Ada Milea With The Balanescu Quartet
Tutu Puoane
Tutu Puoane
Peppe Frana, Masih Karimi & Ciro Montanari
Clara Graziano
Camilla Barbarito
Katerina Papadopoulou & Aegean Arc
Springsteen, Bruce
El Bes Galili
Don Kipper
Stephan Micus