Omar Torrez
Dynamisto!
Latin soul and groove, a mixture of Afro-Cuban, Flamenco, classical music and rhythm and blues.
Earball Media World Music Reviews, June, 2005
Freshly shorn and making a splash in world and mainstream music circles, Omar Torrez returns with a new self-produced CD blending flamenco/Gypsy/Latin influences with a touch of rock and hiphop and whatever else this nimble-fingered guitarist has absorbed in his world travels. He gets political on "Hold On," a call to action on which he sings and raps about the need for change: "Why don't we challenge this fate / send him packing back to the Lone Star State..." Most of the lyrics (if not the emotions) are more subtle. His voice soars on the Afro-Cuban cover of the traditional Mexican song "Llorona." Eclectic literary and musical references (including a cover of Stevie Wonder's "Big Brother) make this mix good for the head, but Torrez's delicate (often speedy) guitar and emotion-laden singing pack a strong wallop for the heart. Somewhere between Santana and the Gipsy Kings, Dynamisto! is an engaging mix of what Torrez calls "Latin soul & groove."
Seattle Times, May 3rd, 2005 (Tom Scanlon)
"A couple of other acts from Seattle making national gains played around Captitol Hill on Friday night. At the Century Ballroom, Omar Torrez - who moved to Los Angeles three years ago - returned home to play flamenco guitar and pop before adoring audience. Torrez's "Senorita" is on the soundtrack of the Warren Miller movie "Impact," and his music has made cameos on a few TV shows ("Whoopie," "Felicity")."
Seattle Times, April 29th, 2005!
"The guitar master - flamenco? Rock? Blues? You name it - Omar Torrez, who moved from Seattle to Los Angeles a few years ago, has a concert at the Century Ballroom at 9 tonight. His new album "Dynamisto!" is indeed dynamic, widely varying songs ranging from Latin pop to Santana-rock to sangria-instrumentals. There is even a re-arranged cover of Stevie Wonder's "Big Brother."
Seattle Times review of Dynamisto!
The Seattle Times, April 29th to May 5th. Ticket Plus sign - recommendation
"Today Omar Torrez Band. Torrez, the guitar wizard who ranges from flamenco mastery to hot Latin rock, moved to L.A. from here a few years back. He returns with a dazzling new record, "Dynamisto!" Dynamic, dynamite."
Seattle P-I review of Dynamisto!
Link to review at Seattle P-I's website
Article by Seattle P-I's Music Critic, Gene Stout
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/pop/105524_torrez24.shtml
Latin: Latin Soul