Karl Jenkins - Adiemus Colores: an album guide
Karl Jenkins is back with the hotly anticipated sixth album in the Adiemus series: Colores. Get to know this lively Latin American-inspired music with our handy guide.
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1. Canción amarilla
What does 'yellow' sound like? In Colores, where each of the tracks on the album is inspired by a specific colour, expect lively Latin rhythms, trumpets a-plenty, and some of Karl Jenkins' trademark Adiemus close-harmony singing.
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2. Canción violetta
As we move from yellow to purple, the music gradually builds in intensity throughout the movement before dying away. It's still unmistakably Adiemus, with the singers performing syllables rather than words, so the vocal lines add to the texture like instruments.
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3. Canción negra
Colores features a number of special guests, and we're lucky enough to have two of them featuring in the third movement. Singer Cuca Roseta is well-known in the world of Fado, a Portuguese musical style accompanied by guitar - her mellow tones are accompanied by Milos.
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4. Canción rosa
We defy you not to dance to this cheeky samba, inspired by the colour pink. There's even a dance break in the middle, featuring a flirty duet between piano and accordion.
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5. Canción azul
If 'hazy Cuban afternoon by the pool' could be described in music, this is perhaps the closest you'll come. The movement starts with a powerful trumpet solo before giving way to a chilled-out choir of voices, topped off with a touch of guitar from Milos.
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6. Canción turquesa
There's no way of knowing what the lyrics are about, but Rolando Villazón's unmistakable vocals alone bring incredible depth to this bittersweet song. And Milos is back once more, adding with a touch of Montenegrin passion into the mix.
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7. Canción naranja
Orange song. Granted, the title sounds a lot more romantic in Spanish, but the sultry music speaks for itself. Just imagine you're sipping Sangria and allow the mambo rhythms to transport you to warmer climes.
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8. Canción verde
Calming and hymn-like, this movement is quite unlike the rhythmic yellow, orange and pink sections that have come before. You can hear the influence of world music in the scales from the vocal soloists, and played on guitar by Milos.
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9. Canción blanca
Expect jazzy piano and a bossa nova-inspired flavour in this swaying movement. There's even some swelling violins in the mix to add to the 'tropical cruise' atmosphere.
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10. Canción dorada
Translated as 'golden song', this movement has a bit of everything: think carnival-inspired whistles, clapping, and snappy rhythms. All topped off by the tight harmonies in the choir.
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11. Canción plateada
Quite a change of direction from the other movements, this silver-inspired section is a chilled-out piano solo. The drums and whistles may be gone, but you can still hear the relaxed jazzy feel running through the album.
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12. Canción roja
Solid and rhythmic, this march calls to mind all the passion and excitement of the colour red. A high-energy trumpet solo from Pacho Flores, the Venezuelan trumpeter, ensures the album ends with a bang.
