Esteban Alvarez “La Bikina”

Esteban Alvarez “La Bikina”

YOU TUBE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3SDNAB1c8co

Creating a vast portrait of sophisticated notation that is both symphonic and casual in listenability, Esteban Alvarez’s new single “La Bikina” is setting the world of Latin music afire alongside its parent album Piano Meets Mariachi, by far Alvarez’s most mature and well-rounded full length release to date. One thing that Esteban made sure to get right with this new batch of songs was the format in which he chose to deliver them; never have his amazing harmonies been displayed in such radiant, full-color audio ala high definition stereo, and we’re able to finally hear all of the little, muted nuances that have made him one of the most revered pianists on either side of the border for some time now.

“La Bikina” is one of eight new tracks on Piano Meets Mariachi, and it can be said that it is probably the signature song from the album. Forged with a certain bucolic nature in mind, the track takes us almost skipping through a peaceful green field, allowing for us to get completely comfortable with the swift play of Alvarez and his band. There aren’t many vulnerable parts in this well synchronized orchestra, just a lot of solid beats and thoroughly enjoyable competing for sound space from what I can hear when I listen to it. The dueling between the piano and the strings gets aggressive as the track moves along, and it is almost like we’re witnessing the key battle in this audio war that Alvarez and company are engaged in. It’s thrilling, exciting and fierce to see play out before us, and by far a more appealing listen than anything I’ve heard on Top 40 lately.

The particular genius in an artist of Esteban Alvarez’s caliber isn’t necessarily his ability to lead and shape soundscapes that pull us closer to his madness and challenge our perceptions of structure and melody as we know them; I think it’s his attitude when it comes to his medium, his casual demeanor that is ever-present in a release like Piano Meets Mariachi. Even though this man is making incredibly epic music that moves and connects with audiences much differently than any pop song could, we never feel like Alvarez is selling us something. We never feel like he’s playing down to us or trying to convince us of something that isn’t completely genuine. Alvarez is the real article, he doesn’t need a flashy personality or over-produced music to back up his credibility as one of the most professional recording artists in the industry.

If you’re a fan of classic mariachi, symphonic music, or a little bit of both, Piano Meets Mariachi is a must-listen for you. There is so much that Esteban Alvarez has to share with us as a composer and performer, and if “La Bikina” is any example of just what he can do when he sets his mind to a goal in the studio, we can expect to see much more successful output from this artist as the years go by.

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/estebanalvarezmusic/

Mindy McCall