Album Review: Latinaotearoa in Latinoamerica

When I started reading about the concept behind the second Latinaotearoa album it sounded like a good idea and I was quite excited to have a listen to it. If you’re not familiar with the story, Auckland musician Isaac Aesili (Solaa, Opensouls, Eru Dangerspiel, Funkommunity) teamed up once again with Venezualan singer Jennifer Zea, and Brazilian-born DJ Bobby Brazuka, to research and write a bunch of songs in Brazil, then record the album of Latin-influenced tunes in Brazil and Auckland with guest appearances by some great musicians (such as Raiza Biza, Julien Dyne, Riki Gooch and Miguel Fuentes) – what should, on paper, lead to some great experimentation and crossovers of styles.

Except it wasn’t really as good as I’d expected when I heard it. There’s nothing to fault about the musicianship or skills on display throughout the 12 tracks, but it just never seems to really spark. There was little there to get excited about, and for the most part the project comes out sounding like background music in a café or something inoffensive you’d play at a family barbecue. There were a couple of tracks that did stand out, such as the moody starting Senzala and the intense Suelta.

It’s a shame because I’ve enjoyed the bulk of Isaac’s output – he’s a very talented songwriter and musician, and is responsible for a lot of great songs, and I wish more of that innovation had shone through on this album.