Argentinian, Buenos Aires-based pianist-composer Marco Sanguinetti is a man with many gifts and interests. His music references the romanticism of Franz List, the avantgarde, irreverent games of John Cage and the minimalism of Phillip Glass, but he also dedicated a double album to the songs of Radiohead («Cómo Desaparecer Completamente», How to Disappear Completely, 2016), offering very personal interpretations.
«Inmortal» was born out of «Cómo Desaparecer Completamente». Producer-label owner-keyboard player Tweety González, once a member of the legendary Latin-rock trio Soda Stereo, asked Sanguinetti to work on the songs of another Argentinian legend, singer-songwriter Gustavo Cerati, who died in 2014, only 55 years old. Cerati was the lead vocalist and guitarist of Soda Stereo and one of the most influential figures of Ibero-American Rock. González produced «Inmortal» and released it by his label.
Sanguinetti knew the songs of Cerati, saying that they were the music he grew up with, but now he felt free to rearrange these songs anew. He selected 12 songs, decided to focus on instrumental adaptations with no voices and to replace Cerati guitar with the cello of Violeta García. His piano trio – bass player Ezequiel Dutil and drummer Tomás Babjaczuk were augmented by DJ Migma (the latter two played also on «Cómo Desaparecer Completamente»).
The new arrangements of Sanguinetti focus more on contemplative and lyrical veins in Cerati songs, leaving aside the muscular, rock-tinged envelope for more nuanced, subtle and even feminine angles in these iconic songs. «Primavera 0» and «Especie» are the only exceptions, adopting a powerful-rhythmic approach. You don’t have to be well-versed in the impressive work of Cerati in order to enjoy the beautiful, always elegant interpretations and tasteful arrangements of Sanguinetti. There is a good chance that you may keep humming the catchy themes of songs like «Pulsar», «Sudestada» or «Paseo Inmoral» or the moving ballad «Alma» long after your last listening to «Inmoral».
Eyal Hareuveni
Marco Sanguinetti (p), Violeta García (c), Migma (turntables), Ezequiel Dutil (b), Tomás Babjaczuk (dr)
