The Christine Spero Group: Press

Catch Christine's music on www.smoothjazz.com Here's what they're saying about the new release, "My Spanish Dream" on October 15th, 2007:
"Latin Jazz done right has a fluidity and passion that is unmistakably compelling. The Christine Spero Group's second release MY SPANISH DREAM indeed does it right, creating moving, exciting textures that glide effortlessly among the genres of Brazilian, Latin, world fusion, jazz and pop. Ms. Spero is a singer/pianist of immense talent with a voice that might remind you of Eliane Elias or Bebel Gilberto on the rich and warm "My Spanish Dream," Gloria Estefan on the exuberant "The Festival" and perhaps Manhattan Transfer's Janis Siegel on "I Remember." Her band consists of Elliot Spero on sax, bassist Mike Woinoski and drummer Jody Sumber. You'll find all of the music on this album to be organic, refreshing, soulful and exciting. From "Don't Say No," a mid-tempo bossa with a strong hook and delightful pop feel, to "Just So You Know," an expansively beautiful story-song that chronicles the Spero's son's cross-country bike trip to raise money for disabled children. This album also features two inventive instrumentals, namely "Raiisha," a progressive jazz-fusion piece featuring Elliot's inventive sax work and "Therapy," a solid Latin Jazz fusion track featuring some lively scatting. MY SPANISH DREAM from the New York State-based Christine Spero Group is an outstanding album that makes me want more and would totally motivate me to catch this group live at my first opportunity. What this album has going for it in spades is outstanding musicianship, positive energy, and compelling songs from the pen of Christine Spero.
Highly recommended!" Scott O'Brien-Smoothjazz.com

Pianist and vocalist Christine Spero launches her new release of exciting Latin jazz grooves that blend Brazilian and pop rhythms producing an intoxicating and vibrant sound guaranteed to shake the shoulders and move the hips. "My Spanish Dream," delivers nine original songs with catchy melodies and rich harmonies that will have you hitting the re-play button often.

Hailing from Tannersville, New York, Christine Spero has for years performed with her quartet and has one previous recording to her credit ("We Call It Music" 2002). On this recording she is joined by her core group consisting of Elliot Spero (tenor, soprano sax and percussions), Mike Woinoski (bass) and Jody Sumber (drums). Others appearing on the recording include Rich DeCrosta (trumpet) on "Therapy," husband Buck Spero (bass) and Curtis Watts (drums) on "Therapy", "The Festival" and "I remember."

Starting off with the title track, Spero sets the tone with her lush vocals and piano chops on this airy and spacious number. The second cut, "Don't Say No," says yes all the way with a terrific percussive beat and appreciable scatting from the singer.

The music only gets better with the incredible Latin rhythms of "Caribbean Nights," unquestionably the best composition here. Spero's vocals on this one is upstaged by her sizzling piano performance that continues to play over and over in one's brain sort of like when you have a tune you just cannot get out of your head.

The tune "Just So You Know," is maybe the sole pop flavored number here. The Brazilian flavored "The Festival," rivals "Caribbean Nights," as one of the best scores here featuring perhaps the finest vocals and a nice run on the synthesizer from Christine.

Elliot Spero takes center stage on the only instrumental piece "Raiisha," with an excellent journey on the sax. Except for a verse of wordless vocals, "Therapy," is largely another instrumental piece featuring an augmented cast. The album ends with another bossa-shaded number in "I Remember," showcasing Elliot's torrid sax solo and climaxing one heck of a session.

Year: 2007
Label: Collective Works
Artist Web: www.sonicbids.com/thechristinesperogroup
www.myspace.com/christinesperogroup
www.christinesperogroup.com

Christine Spero: My Spanish Dream
Írta: Czékus Mihály
Christine Spero svéd és amerikai zongorista nagyszülők leszármazottja, aki már gyermekkorában kapcsolatba került a zenével, olyannyira, hogy már 10 éves korában rögzítette néhány dalát az RCA lemezkiadó. Tanulmányait San Francisco-ban folytatja, ahol zenét tanul. Az elmúlt évek során számos zenekari formációval dolgozott együtt, első lemeze 2002-ben jelent meg „We Call It Music” címmel.
A debütáló album sikere után a rajngóknak sokat kellett várniuk a kézzelfogható folytatásra, az új korong, a „My Spanish Dream” az idei évben került a zeneboltokba. A new york-i NRS stúdióban rögzített felvételeken Elliot Spero (szaxofon), Mike Woinoski (nagybőgő) és Jody Sumber (dob) működött közre.

Az album rögtön a címadó szerzeménnyel indul. Ami ritmusos, egzotikus és hatását tekintve „a föld felett lebegtető”. Az utána következő felvételek újabb és újabb hangulati színeket tárnak a hallgató elé. A „Don’t Say No” nyomatékos és vadul örvénylő, a „Just So You Know”-t Winoski nagybőgő játéka teszi felejthetetlenné. A „Raiisha”-ban Spero szaxofon szólóján merenghetünk. A „Therapy” különleges térélménnyel ajándékozza meg a hallgatót.
A szövegek, a zenét és a zenészek közötti harmóniát tekintve kijelenthető, hogy a „My Spanish Dream” egy rendkívül igényes alkotás.


Megjelenés éve: 2007
Kiadó: szerzői kiadás
Az előadó honlapja : www.christinesperogroup.com vagy www.sonicbids.com/thechristinesperogroup
TRANSLATION:
Christine Spero, descended from Swedish and American grandparents, came into contact with music in her childhood years, so much that RCA Record company recorded a few of her songs at 10 years of age. She continued her studies in San Francisco, where she studied music. Over the years, she has worked with numerous bands. Her first album, "We Call It Music", was released in 2002.
Following the success of her debut album, fans had to wait a long time to get a hold of the followup. The new disc, "My Spanish Dream", made its way into record stores this year. Recorded in New York's NRS Studio, the recording features Elliot Spero (saxophone and percussion), Mike Woinoski (bass) and Jody Sumber (drums).
The album lives up to the title right away, exhibiting a rhythmic, exotic, "floating above the earth" effect...
The next couple of tracks open up newer and newer atmospheric moods for the listener. "Don't Say No" is a vigorous and wild whirl, while Woinoski's bass makes "Just So You Know" unforgettable. Spero's saxophone solo in "Raiisha" makes one shiver. "Therapy" offers the listener a unique spatial experience.
The harmony found among the lyrics, music, and musicians make "My Spanish Dream" a work of exceptionally high quality.
Year released: 2007
Record Label: Collective Works Media

Review by Jonathan Widran
Even before Christine Spero began recording with her dynamic quartet, she was earning numerous accolades for her melodic, emotionally powerful and soulful songwriting. In 2004, she won the Jazz Category in the USA Songwriting Competition for "He Wasn't Always That Way." She was also a finalist in the 2002 competition for "Caribbean Nights," a festive tropical celebration that typifies the joyful exotica that drives The Spanish Dream. Based on the compelling songwriting on the other richly rhythmic, soaring tracks, there are probably more certificates in her future with some of the richly rhythmic, soaring tracks on the group's second indie recording. Yet as strong and poetic as her writing is on tracks like the easy swinging, samba flavored title track, the jaunty, percussive "Don't Say No" and the haunting ballad "My Prayer," it's her joyful vocal performances (including some wordless passages) and lively piano chordings and improvisations (particularly on the expansive title track) that really bring the music to memorable life. Spero is the compelling multi-talented focal point throughout, but she's clearly having a great time trying to keep up with the relentless rhythm section of Mike Woinoski (bass) and Jody Sumber (drums). The project was produced by Elliot Spero, who does multiple duties on soprano and tenor saxes as well as percussion. Away from the quartet, Christine and Elliot Spero perform sometimes as a duo that mixes Brazilian and pop flavors a la Brasil 66. The big vocal sound of 60's flavored Sergio Mendes recordings shines though most of the tracks, but there's also some heavier jazz blowing beneath the breezes on tracks like the instrumental "Raiisha," a powerful duet by the Speros over the tight rhythm section.

Date: 2008-01-20
" My Spanish Dream" is just that. This is a rich Brazilian/latin/World fusion that makes the "A" list from the very first track. Christine Spero has exceptional writing skills and a voice to match. Gloriously groovy arrangements full of wonderful textures, imagination, and musicality. Spero's song "He Wasn't Always That Way" won the jazz category of the USA songwriting Competition in 2004; and "Caribbean Nights", one my favourites on this album, was a finalist in 2002. Spero is brilliantly supported by Elliot Spero's sax & percussion with Mike Woinoski on bass and drummer Jody Sumber. Produced by Elliot Spero this second album clearly announces a new talent. Already headlining Festivals and performing with Blood Sweat & Tears and Charlie Daniels in 2007, The Christine Spero Group is set to go far. So let "The Festival" begin!! Helen Simons The JazzXpress Caravan 94.1FM Jazz Radio Gold Coast Queensland Australia

Whether your thing is jazz, pop, or Brazilian/Latin grooves, Christine Spero’s My Spanish Dream will transport you to a loftier place.
The leader, on vocals, piano, and synthesizer, is joined by Mike Woinoski on bass, Jody Sumber on drums, and Elliott Spero on sax, percussion, and synth. Opening with the lengthy title track, the singer yearns for a place of fond imagination, her heartfelt vocals snaking their way around a colorful, exotic arrangement that is both tight and spirited; highlighting the track is a compelling sax solo. Her overdubbed scatting illuminates the upbeat and utterly danceable “Don’t Say No,” a samba rhythm-based track that is a joy to listen to. The tempo is continuously zealous until the middle track, “A Prayer,” which is a somber, solo piano piece written for a 9/11 memorial performance. Just as it must have on that occasion, it will leave listeners teary-eyed.
The pace quickens again with “The Festival,” an ardent invitation to a jubilant musical gala. “Raiisha,” an instrumental, features a demanding, weighty sax solo, and the revelry continues until the very last note of the ninth and final track.

Pick this one up if you’re ready for some sublime musicianship with true heart and soul. Or catch the quartet live at Stella’s in Catskill on September 15; or at the Hunter Mountain Microbrew and Wine Fest on September 22. www.sonicbids.com/thechristinesperogroup.

"Spero's CD is Top Notch"
Jazz, Latin and pop singer and pianist Christine Spero of Tannersville has a CD with her group that's quite impressive. Recorded at NRS in Catskill, by Scott Petito, it also features Elliot Spero on soprano and tenor, Mike Woinoski on bass and Jody Sumber on drums.
The lush title track,"My Spanish Dream", quickly sets the tone. It's exotic and melodic and the ascending changes lift it skyward. Spero's piano solo here is superb, as is Spero's sax ride.
"Don't Say No" is urgent and turbulent. The bossa "Caribbean Nights" swings and sways, while bassist Woinoski shines in "Just So You Know". The soothing "A Prayer" is a highlight, while Elliot Spero shines in "Raiisha", as he runs with a meaty sax solo. His harmonic sensibility and phrasing are a cut above. "Therapy" has wide open spaces and a Chuck Mangione vibe. "I Remember" is a vocal workout, as Spero spins around, flies upside down and still manages to land on her feet.
The songwriting and musicianship here is top notch, and you can bet it's as good if not better in a live setting. That said, Spero and group are to appear at the Bearsville Theatre on Tinker Street on Thursday. (Woodstock-David Malachowski)

My Spanish Dream (Collective Works)

Pianist-singer Christine Spero wrote all nine tracks on this album, and it’s immediately apparent why she’s done well in national songwriting competitions. The songs deftly combine Latin and Brazilian sounds with percussive, piano-centered jazz to exciting effect. (This probably would be a good time to mention the contributions of her excellent rhythm section, bassist Mike Woinoski and drummer Jody Sumber.)

Spero’s voice is sleek and insinuating, whether she’s hewing to the complex rhythms or scatting. Her vocal arrangements are a pleasure in themselves: When she multitracks her vocals for a brief wordless passage in “My Spanish Dream,” or to back herself on the propulsive “The Festival,” the effect is shimmering. And more importantly for you purists out there, not distracting.

What’s interesting about My Spanish Dream is that while the rhythms—and the array of percussion sounds provided by Elliot Spero—are primarily Latin-influenced, the melodies (and harmonies) are all over the place. Examples: The standouts “Caribbean Dream” and “The Festival” have a Latin flavor; the instrumental “Raiisha,” a showcase for Elliot’s tenor sax, is classic jazz fusion; and “Therapy” is somewhere in between. The aplomb with which Spero and company pull this off makes this music sound fresh.

—Shawn Stone/Albany,NY