Anntony - Maná de Bachata
A1A Productions

By Ben Ohmart (more articles from this author) 2001-08-13

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Artist: Anntony
Title: Maná de Bachata
Label: A1A Productions (www.a1aproductions.com)
Genre: Bachata

When Anntony looks at you with those serious, evil eyes, you might find yourself as James Bond in a flick battling an ominous henchman. But when the music begins and Anntony's softly passionate voice works on tracks like 'Donde Jugaran Los Ninos', you realize you needn't be afraid.

42 minutes into 10 songs equals a Latin dance party that could easily cover for a romantic wedding reception. Or street music for wandering lovers who haven't yet exchanged rings.

The basic sound is Anntony, followed by what sounds like overdubs of himself on alternating backing vocals; guitar, spiked a little as if electric, but definitely an acoustic sound; at Least one set of rhythm hands, plus lite drum work; bass. And fill in the blank: you might hear more. Charming Latin music with a jazz combo construction.

Love the way he opens most tracks with 'Annnnnnto-ny!'

The thing that struck me the most when the opening 'Clavado en un Bar' began was How Clean This Stuff Sounds. Some artists whisper through a filter, some record a ways from the microphone, but there's a high polish on this cd that springs the acoustics to life and pitches Anntony's voice sharply at the ears.

The only odd thing is: the arrangements to the songs stay pretty much the same throughout. Not that a horn section should suddenly creep in and blast away a perfectly intimate mood between Ann and listener. However, when you listen to 'Hundido en un Rincon' which ends the cd, you could just as easily be listening to part of the opening 'Clavado'. It's like catching a live studio session. So if you like This sound, Anntony is your ballad-making man.

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