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    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.

    1. Adiemus Colores

      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.

    2. Adiemus Colores

      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.

    3. Adiemus Colores

      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.

    4. Weird & Wonderful

      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.

    5. Adiemus Colores

      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.

    6. turquoise butterfly

      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.

    7. Adiemus Colores

      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.

    8. Green toucan

      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.

    9. Adiemus Colores

      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.

    10. weird

      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.

    11. Adiemus Colores

      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.

    12. red parrot

      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.

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