ADRIAN QUESADA Schallplatten & CDs

Review: Austin-based producer Adrian Quesada returns with the second volume of his Boleros Psicodelicos project, deepening his exploration of psychedelic Latin balladry with a widescreen, collaborative approach. The new release pulls together artists from across the Americas, from Cuco's hazy vocal textures on opener 'Ojos Secos' to the bright clarity of 'No Juego' with Angelica Garcia. 'Bravo' with iLe leans into rich, orchestral melancholy, while 'Primos', with the ever-slick Hermanos Gutierrez, sways with instrumental elegance. 'Afuera' and 'Agonia' bring flourishes of folk and soul, respectively, and 'No Temere' with Dayme Arocena closes the record with gospel-like resolve. Where the first volume was rooted in vintage tones, here Quesada and co-producer Alex Goose push things into more expansive territoryistill analogue-heavy but layered with synths, strings and plenty of open space. It's a fresh release that balances reverence with reinvention, reaffirming Quesada's role as a sharp, deeply musical connector of eras and scenes.

Review: Adrian Quesada is a multi-instrumentalist and producer who featured in the Grammy-winning Grupo Fantasma as well a plethora of other ventures like Black Puma and The Echocentrics. Now he's back with a new solo album which celebrates the funky, psych-licked sound that washed through Latin America in the 60s and 70s. It almost comes on like a library record, so silky is the sound, but there's enough nuance and expression edged into the playing to take it into a more personal sphere. If you dig groove-minded crafters like Quantic, you're going to love the sound of Adrian Quesada.