Catching Up on 2023: Peter Gabriel, Jason Aldean, Juan Carlos Quintero

Before 2023 fully fades into history, I want to highlight several outstanding late year releases worthy of your full attention.

Artist: Peter Gabriel

Title: i/o (Real World Productions)

You might like if you enjoy: Radiohead, Peter Gabriel, David Bowie, Kate Bush

Tell me more: Before the release of Peter Gabriel's i/o this year, the groundbreaking English artist hadn't released a full-length album of material since 2002's Up. The good news for the countless millions of lovers of the 73-year-old English singer-songwriter-producer is that the new masterwork that has been in the works since early 1995 was well worth the wait. What jumps out with an initial listen is how fully and powerfully intact his signature vocals are across the disc, and how sophisticated and detailed the sonic landscape that surrounds each track. In early 2023, Gabriel began releasing a new song from the album with the arrival of every full moon; the initiative also served as a way to let each selection to be the focus on listeners' radar for a full month before another song was released. The full album was released as a cohesive collection on Dec. 1, 2023 (each of the dozen tracks are presented via two stereo mixes; a third "In-Side Mix" version is presented in Dolby Atmos). The intoxicating opener "Panopticom," experimental "The Court," masterfully luxurious "Playing For Time," stirring "And Still" and reflective title track (the latter bolstered by the most artful of dynamics) just begin to tell the story of an album that demands repeated listens and continues to reveal its bewitching secrets with each subsequent play. Information: petergabriel.com.

Artist: Jason Aldean
Title: Highway Desperado (Broken Bow Records)
You might like if you enjoy: Jason Aldean, Eric Church, Luke Bryan, 3 Doors Down
Tell me more: One of country music's biggest stars of the 21st century, Jason Aldean has successfully used his talents as a dynamic live performer and exceptional recording artist to propel more than two dozen of his singles to number 1 on either the Hot Country Songs or Country Airplay charts. On his latest full-length album Highway Desperado, the Macon, Georgia native continues his incredible run with a terrific collection that showcases real life triumphs and struggles while simultaneously celebrating the American spirit with an otherworldly and emotional touch. Aldean has been especially masterful at blending modern country and classic rock genres into a signature style that resonates at festivals and arena settings. Each of the 14 songs on Highway Desperado are immediately infectious; the timely number one hit "Try That In A Small Town" taps into the well-founded fears of millions of Americans who have seen violent crime soar in big cities across the United States over the past several years. The Michael Knox-produced album's strengths are found across its run; the tender ballad "Hungover in a Hotel" offers a heartfelt message of regret, while the country rocker "Let Your Boys Be Country" celebrates time-honored traditions that champion how boys grow into men. Aldean sings of romantic loss poignantly on the beautiful "Whose Rearview" and "I'm Over You." Aldean explores newfound love on the soaring "Knew You'd Come Around," while the moody closer "Highway Desperado" taps into the powerful and invisible forces that lure some to keep moving on down the open road. Information: JasonAldean.com.

Artist: Juan Carlos Quintero
Title: desserts... (Moondo Records)
You might like if you enjoy: Craig Chaquico, Laurence Juber
Tell me more: Guitar master Juan Carlos Quintero's latest album desserts... is a ravishing celebration of Latin-jazz instrumental music and the artist's flawless fretwork. The self-produced 10-track desserts... brings together the Medellin, Columbia-born artist's incredible jazz mining guitar playing with the sounds, rhythms and grooves of the Southern American and Caribbean regions. Surrounded by a terrific group of top-tier players (bassist Eddie Resto, pianist Joe Rotondi, drummer Aaron Serfaty and percussionist Joey DeLeon), the troupe brings a stylish elegance to wonderful originals composed by Van Morrison (the artfully reworked "Moondance"), Armando Peraza (the joyful "Estampa Cuban"), Eden Ahbez (the luxurious and deeply affecting "Nature Boy"), John Gillespie (fleet-footed "A Night In Tunisia") and more. Information: juancarlosquintero.com.

Robert Kinsler

Guitar Legend Juan Carlos Quintero releases new album “Desserts”

One of my earliest music-related assignments back when I was a contributing writer for The Orange County Register was covering rising guitar virtuoso Juan Carlos Quintero. I was excited to learn today that the Columbia native is back with a new album titled Desserts. Read the media release below on his new album Desserts. And at the bottom of this post, you can revisit my August 1990 article that was published in The Orange County Register about Quintero...Robert Kinsler 

Guitar Legend Juan Carlos Quintero Releases New Album “Desserts”

As with all good meals, the sweets are the most memorable!

It’s no wonder that guitar legend Juan Carlos Quintero’s critically acclaimed chart-topping 2022 release, “Table For Five,” segues so effortlessly to the sequel – the new album, “Desserts”…

Quintero’s new album expands the music menu producing tasty treats while skillfully blending authentic grooves – originating from South American & Caribbean regions – culminating in a thread of meaningful performances honoring the beauty and breadth of Latin-Jazz traditions! Enticing gems include “The Gift,” “All or Nothing At All,” “How Insensitive,” “Tangerine,” “A Night in Tunisia,” “Along Came Betty” & crowd favorite, Van Morrison’s “Moondance”!

Says Juan, “For me, the experience producing this music brought me closer to my parents in so many ways…It’s been 10 years since we lost dad and I think of him daily…looking back, I can remember him playing the piano and working out the hit melodies of the time…little did I know then I would be doing the same years later…the message is check out your parents, remember them and preserve their melodies…”

The album features music from the early 1960s and focuses on traditional Latin rhythms to serve as the foundation for all the arrangements performed. As with the last album, the music features Quintero’s electric jazz guitar along with the backing by his extraordinary band: Eddie Resto (upright bass), Aaron Serfaty (drums), Joey DeLeon (Percussion), Joe Rotondi (piano). The album was recorded and mixed by Talley Sherwood and mastered by Peter Doell.

This seasoned Quintet never disappoints as it navigates an array of well-crafted classics re-imagined with newly fine-tuned arrangements! Led by JCQ’s signature guitar voice, the music transcends protocols merging stylish overtures in company with traditions of romance, charm & melody.

This party is seated and sticking around for more! Now serving desserts… A seamless follow up that converts to a staggered double-album experience prompted by “Table For Five” – It’s the final course topping off a delicious five-star feast! Bon appétit!

Here’s what the press has said about Juan Carlos Quintero:

“A comfortable middle ground between authentic Latin roots, and contemporary, polished tones” – Jazz Times

“By virtue of imagination as well as style, Quintero clearly out classes many of his modern Latin guitar-strumming contemporaries… Quintero sets high standards with cross-cultural sound… One of the best” – Los Angeles Times

“By tracing his heritage back to Colombia, Quintero has forged ahead with personality and style.” – JAZZIZ Magazine

“JCQ’s brand of world beat, Latin flavored pop/jazz provides a highly rhythmic, passionate guitar voice that captures the energy and excitement of his live performances” – Latin Style Magazine

To Purchase: https://lnk.to/juancarlosquintero_desserts

For more information: www.juancarlosquintero.com