Track Listing

1. Luz Azul
2. Uno Lo Mio Y Lo Tuyo
3. Rompecabezas
4. Esmeralda
5. Gozo Poderoso
6. El Album
7. Chamanica
8. Transparante
9. La Misma Tijera
10. Fantasia
11. Luto
12. Interludio
13. A Su Salud

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #41205 in Music
• Brand: Sony
• Released on: 2001-05-15
• Number of discs: 1
• Dimensions: .20 pounds

Amazon.com's Best of 2001
There's an alternately ethereal and electric power pulsing through Gozo Poderoso, the stellar fifth album from Colombian duo Aterciopelados. Maybe that's because the team of vocalist-guitarist Andrea Echeverri and bassist Hector Buitrago have rooted their sound in traditional rhythms while deftly dipping it in some of today's most exciting genres. Each track on the album flows effortlessly into the next, but there's nary a hint of repetition. It's all tied together by intricate production and a spiritual intelligence that flows through many of the song lyrics. "Luz Azul," "Esmeralda," and "El Album" (the first single) are stand-outs, anchored by Echeverri's slyly seductive vocals. Cumbia, salsa, and vallenato intermingle with alt-rock riffs, electronica flourishes, and bossa nova rhythms. It's an intoxicating mix that's impossible to classify--and resist. --Joey Guerra

Customer Reviews

Uno de los mejores discos que he escuchado
As a major fan of Latin(o) music in general and Colombian music in particular, I have to say that Aterciopelados - and their Gozo Poderoso - represent the best that popular music has to offer. This is an original and provocative album, in terms of sound as well as lyrics. Hector Buitrago and Andrea Echeverri insisted on producing this album entirely in Colombia, hiring only Colombian musicians, and (unlike many other artists of the so-called Latino music "Boom" who are pressured into performing in English, thinking that's the only way to sell records in the States) sing only in Spanish. And they did it to prove a point: that despite what many in the mainstream music business would like for us to think, incredible, socially relevant music exists in ALL languages and genres, not just English language pop. And people will buy it. Gracias, Andrea y Hector, por toda su dedicacion y creatividad. Representan lo mejor de la musica popular hoy en dia.

Softer and less edge
First of all let me say that I adore Andrea, no matter her incarnation, be it her early punk years or her current seemingly neo-hippie persona. Aterciopelados are on to something big, Columbian roots that mingle with other Latin based rhythmns, incorporating electronica hinged beats that excite and soothe simultaneously. Having had the opportunity recently to have seen Aterciopelados perform in a small club setting I can only say that Andrea works magic on her growing loyal fans who have tremendous adulation for her. She performed songs from this album and mesmerized the crowd when she sang "Luz Azul" with its bouncy bossa nova beat and charmed the crowd with "Uno lo mio y lo tuyo" amongst others. She even got the crowd to chime in and the CD had not yet been released! This CD doesn't have the edge of their earlier efforts as they seem to have settled into a comfortable groove that is not complacent but rather more intimate. Andrea has a seductive quality to her voice that invites the listener to listen carefully. The songs on this CD are hypnotic as the Latin groove flows beautifully, softly and melodically. The listener is caressed by the sensual vocals of Andrea, inviting closer approval as she weaves her web. I have all of their US releases and this is by far the mellowest, latin lounge music if you will compared to their earlier efforts. There are a few uptempo numbers but this isn't El Dorado. There are more ballads or boleros on this CD than on any other, this is not a bad thing if you love Andrea like I do. My personal faves that I think are standouts are the title track(with its chorus of "the music is love"), "El Album"("el album de mi cabeza solo son fotos tuyos") "Chamanica", "Uno lo mio y lo tuyo" and "Luz Azul." When speaking of Aterciopelados one cannot do so without mentioning the other half of the core of the duo, Hector Buitrago. Hestor, with his Dylanesque circa Subterranean Blues look is the bassist/guitarist who controls the loops and programs and is the mastermind behind the electronic sound. He does a masterful job to solidify the sound that is, and defies classification, Aterciopelados. This is their cosmic peace CD, full of love and hope for a better mankind. Aterciopelados is in Tranquility Bay and invites you to join them on their peaceful journey. Serenades by Andrea and good electronic vibes by Hector create an ambience that soothes and relaxes the soul, the perfect recipe for harmony. Buy his CD for a relaxing aural Latin tonic, you too will be singing "La musica es amor" in your head. Eres unica Andrea, te amo!

an evolving wonderful style
Having been a fan of Aterciopelados for almost a decade I find it incredible how they keep evolving their wonderful sound (hear the new updated version of Florecita Rockera on Evolution). This album definitely shows their increasing interest in electronica that gives it a smooth trippy sound that goes wonderfully with Andrea's deep and emotive voice. But, while one reviewer calls this the best in non-western music (umm, what hemisphere is Latin America supposed to be in?), let me clarify...this is some of the best of ignored, non-English language western music that shows the influence of both regional (Colombian) and more universal sounds in rock, electronica and pop. A keeper to enjoy over and over - whatever your native language.