THE MAKING OF "PIECES OF BUENOS AIRES"
It was in New York, summer 2007 when Andra Borlo suddenly got the inspiration to record her new album in South America, in Buenos Aires. Maybe it was the heat of the city or all the Spanish in the streets of Brooklyn – or just her everlasting urge to discover new lands, new sounds. That sense for adventure had brought her to New York a few years earlier, when she had recorded her album „New York Diary “with some of the finest musicians of New York and had chosen New York as her second home for some years.
Back in Switzerland she surprised Beni Mosele, a piano player and composer with whom she had started on arranging some of her songs a few months earlier. She offered him a ticket to Buenos Aires if he would come there to record the new songs with Argentinean musicians: crazy and curious like Andra, he didn’t hesitate, he was in.
A few days before Christmas 2007 Andra landed in Buenos Aires with zero contacts and 100 percent determination to find the best artists in Buenos Aires and a studio where an all band live recordings would fit. She had 5 weeks – then Beni Mosele would arrive for recordings for one week. Andra went „turbo“. She checked out newspapers, concerts, myspace, asked the cabdrivers, the bar tenders, and studio technicians. She followed every trace. A few days after her arrival she visited Estudios ION, the heart of Argentinean music history, declared cultural heritage by the government. The foto gallery shows Oswaldo Acedo with Piazolla, Mercedes Sosa, Charly Garica, and many others. The studio was built in the 50ties, dark wood, dark green – old style with modern equipment and historical aura.
Oswaldo introduced Andra to Walter Rios, a legendary Bandoneon player from Argentina. She had to cry, listening to his beautiful and sad sound and knew, she wanted to record with him. A few days later Andra was invited to Walter Rios home who liked her songs and expressive voice a lot. It was there that she first learned about Tango, about Piazolla, about the mystery of the bandoneon. Walter told her how Maestro Piazzolla had given him his Bandoneon back in the 70ties, the one he’s been using ever since.
She booked the Estudios ION. Thanks to Axel Kriejger, a gifted Argentinean musician she had discovered on myspace, she found her trombone player, Santiago Castellani (Cuatros Varas), he lead her to violist Alefandro Teran (Hypnofono). Alejandro, a brilliant arranger and very creative mind, was convinced that the right drummer for Andra’s project was Fernando Samalea (Charly Garcia, Gustavi Cerati, etc) who is THE rock drummer in Argentina and has produced 10 albums with electro tango. Sama called up bass player Paul Dourge who was then on tour with Luis Salinas and plays with the most famous Argentinean musicians. The precision and dedication, the creativity and professionalism of that extraordinary rhythm section. Sama connected Andra with Fernando Kabusacki, internationally known for his crazy innovative sounds. The band was complete, made of the finest musicians in the country.
Two days after Beni Mosele arrived, the 3 days rehearsal started – 2 days break and then the band was ready for the recordings, 3 days at the Estudios ION, a very professional environment. Musical director Beni Mosele had a technician, 2 assistants and the enormous creativity of the musicians that brought in many ideas for arranging. The arrangements had not been completed fully by Andra and Beni, it was the idea to integrate the sounds of Argentina, to enrich the arrangements. Argentina is a melting pot between Europe and South America – the music of brazil of the Andees, the Tango, Rock – all comes together and you can hear that on „Pieces of Buenos Aires“– a beautiful fusion of sounds – a wonderful experience with awesome musicians that gave all her hears and skills.
