Album Review: Gabriella from Miguel Espinoza Fusion

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Album:  Gabriella
Artist:  Miguel Espinoza Fusion
Label: Self-Released
Website:  www.miguelespinozafusion.com

The core members of Miguel Espinoza Fusion are guitarist and leader Miguel Espinoza, cellist Dianne Betkowski, and bass player Randy Hoepker.  Together, they are joined by a litany of guest musicians that include Dave Hagedorn on vibraphone, Christian Teele on percussion, Priya Hariharan on carnatic violin and vocals, Nabin Shrestha on tabla, Howard Levy on harmonica, David Balakrishnan on violin, and Victor Mestas Pérez on piano, for the group's 2023 release Gabriella.  The group's spicy fusion of Latin flavors, gypsy folk, swing, rootsy blues, and Celtic influences is stimulating, taking the listener along an uplifting, sonic ride.

The whirling strings of Betkowski's cello cascade across "Whistlin’ Down The Street," trellised by the tangy wisps of Espinoza's guitar.  The intricate lacework of Balakrishnan's violin add ornamental frills to the mixture, enhancing the beauty of the arrangement.  The flamenco texture of Espinoza's guitar strings emboss "Buleria Estila Antiqua" with a fiery sheen, giving the track a tangoesque allure, as Espinoza and Betkowski heighten the dance rhythm with the hand-clapping beats of the palmas.

The willowy flickers of Espinoza guitar riff coasting softly across "Mermaid" bathe in the breezy strokes of Betkowski's cello and Balakrishnan's violin, producing a continuous stream of melodic swells that easily transition the dynamics sowed into the chord patterns.  The folksy tint of Levy's harmonica blanket "Hudson Avenue" in earthy hues, as he lobes improvised squiggles across the melodic progressions.  The peaceful sonorous of "La Lluvia" is uplifting, and the hypnotic dance rhythm of "Barrio Latino" incites a liberating vibe in the interplay of the musicians.

Fraught with enthusiasm and vigor, Miguel Espinoza Fusion's latest recording embraces free expression and melodic interplay.  The music has a liberating and uplifting vibe from start to finish.  The group's keen sense of playing as a cohesive unit is impeccable, creating pristine harmonies and melodic phrasing.

Musicians:
Miguel Espinoza - guitar
Dianne Betkowski - cello
Randy Hoepker - bass
Dave Hagedorn - vibraphone
Christian Teele - percussion
Priya Hariharan - carnatic violin, vocals
Nabin Shrestha - tabla
Howard Levy - harmonica
David Balakrishnan - violin
Victor Mestas Pérez - piano

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