Omar Sosa & Paolo Fresu featuring Natacha Atlas & Jacques Morelenbaum - Eros

Paolo Fresu & Omar Sosa featuring Natacha Atlas & Jaques Morelenbaum

While the connection between Cuban pianist Omar Sosa and Italian trumpeter Paolo Fresu was established back in 2006, their partnership truly blossomed with Alma (Ota Music, 2012), a beauty of an album with a soft sell approach. That record-quite possibly the most moving item in either man's discography-prioritized heart over all else, and this follow-up date follows suit. - Eros-the god of love-serves as muse and sculptor on this easygoing outing.

Sosa and Fresu are both in fine form, lulling the listener into a space where the many different faces of love serve as guides, and they bring a smart mixture of passion and prudence to bear in the music. That's evident from the start, as "Teardrop-Ya Habibi"-a clever take on a Massive Attack song, featuring vocalist Natacha Atlas-takes flight.

Arabian sounds, hints of neo-soul, and moody notions are all blended and molded into a shapely design that's simply mesmerizing. Personnel: Paolo Fresu: trumpet, flugelhorn, multi-effects, percussion; Omar Sosa: acoustic piano, Fender Rhodes, MicroKORG, samplers, multi-effects, percussion, vocals, programming; Natacha Atlas: vocals; Jaques Morelenbaum: cello; Quartetto Alborado - Anton Berovski: violin; Sonia Peana: violin; Nico Ciricugno: viola; Piero Salvatori: cello.