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The title translates as My Open Book and contains twelve tracks of singer Ms. Castro with Don Philippe (producer, writer, guitar).

Laura grew up in Stuttgart as the daughter of Spanish immigrants. She met Don Philippe in Stuttgart, where he has worked in a variety of musical environments with bands like No Sé and Freundeskrei (German hiphop), on Joy Denalane’s album Mamani and his own solo projects.

So, if you’re after a gentle bossa nova, try ‘Estate’ (the Bruno Martino hit) which is hard not to resist. ‘Flor Que Marchitara’ is another and features the third contributor to this duo (I know that’s mathematically impossible) but the truly stunning contributions of the string quartet arrangements by Sebastian Studnitzkyone are another reason this album really stands out above other guitar/voice combinations.

The title track features the string quartet with a violin solo that adds to the atmospheric, dark mood of the song. All the tracks with the strings are great such as ‘No Es Por Ser Ni Por Estar’ and ‘Mi Amor Lleva Una Espina’ (My Love Bears A Thorn). These have a tango-tension and are a great start to the album. ‘Aqui Estás Tu’ is big and emotional. I’m particularly feeling he haunting ‘Ahora Te Veo Mas Cerca’ (Now I Can See You Closer) with its Beatlesque qualities.

Inevitably the fire and passion of flamenco springs to mind, but it’s very subdued here like on ‘Sonos’ and the closing track, ‘Soledad’.

‘Mariposa Perdida’ is perhaps too much like a children’s lullaby but even then, ‘Nana’ (in a similar style) sounds that much better for the Rhodes accompaniment by Sebastian, hitting the right notes for a downtempo jazz-chill for me.

The multi-talented Sebastian also turns up on trumpet solos at various opportunities and he’s a star on ‘El Juego De La Vida’.

This album isn’t for anyone looking for the flamboyance of Rodrigo Y Gabriella but it is ideal for the mellow and chilled.

A quality production from start to finish and definitely one to add to the collection.

Hectic Mix nomination: ‘Aqui Estás Tu’ and the powerfully simple, ‘Mi Libro Abierto’

Reviewed: Laura López Castro - Mi Libro Abierto (Nesola) Cat. No. FOR 82876776192 Release date: 4th September 2006
Tracklisting:
1. No Es Por Ser Ni Por Estar (5:33)
2. Mi Amor Lleva Una Espina (2:52)
3. El Juego De La Vida (3:11)
4. Estate (5:08)
5. Aqui Estás Tu (4:14)
6. Flor Que Marchitara (2:57)
7. Mariposa Perdida (2:51)
8. Mi Libro Abierto (3:49)
9. Sonhos (2:55)
10. Nana (3:49)
11. Ahora Te Veo Más Cerca (2:48)
12. Soledad (2:33)

Links:
www.lauralopezcastro.com
www.donphilippe.net
www.nesola.de