MARIA RIVAS
CAFÉ NEGRITO

Produced by Maria Rivas & Miguel Chacón

"One of our favorite vocalists from Venezuela, Ms. Rivas brews up a selection of songs that are about, or inspired by, coffee...  her smooth, rich voice hits the spot."  ~ Descarga

Ashé Records is proud to present Maria Rivas, Venezuela’s premier woman singer-songwriter.  Already a star in her homeland, Café Negrito is Maria’s fifth album and her first international release. Dedicated to the multi-cultural world of coffee, its aromas, flavors, romance and its rituals, the music on this album is as satisfying as a well-brewed cup of, as Maria says,  “the perfect anti-depressant”.  

Venezuela, long one of the best-kept secrets of the musical world, is finally beginning to be recognized for the extremely high caliber of its instrumentalists, composers and arrangers.  Among them is musical director Gilberto Simoza, who created the album's concept with Maria, and is known for his imaginative treatments of traditional folksongs such as Mi Mama No Quiere, El Manduco and Cecilia, mixing indigenous rhythms with sophisticated jazz arrangements.  Accompanied by some of Venezuela's finest musicians, the result is an intoxicating blend of indigenous, African, and European influences, with tropical rhythms from calypso to salsa.

Classics such as Moliendo Café and a brilliant Latin version of Dizzy Gillespie's Night In Tunisia blend with oroginal compositions such as title track Cafe Negrito, the anthem Latinoamerica Espera and the haunting Paraiso Regional.  She described Caracas' brotherhood of motorcyle messengers in Motorizado II and touches upon love's heartbreak and fulfillment in Neblina De Tu Alma and Dandolé El Pilón.

In many ways Maria Rivas exemplifies "the new Latin woman": she is not only glamorous and talented, but endlessly creative: a singer, composer, poet, fashion designer and fine artist in many mediums.  She is also a tireless environmental activist and a yoga teacher.  Your coffee will never taste the same after you've shared a cup of  Café Negrito with Maria Rivas.

TRACK LIST

Café Negrito	3:47
Cecilia	3:21
El Manduco	4:15
Paraiso Regional	4:13
Neblina De Tu Alma	4:31
Mi Mama No Quiere	3:29
Motorizado II	3:44
Moliendo Café	3:46
Noche de Tuñez	4:19
Dándole Al Pilón	2:43
Latinoamérica Espera	4:09

Special Thanks to CAFE IMPERIAL, Venezuela,  for their assistance with  this project.

www.cafeimperial.com
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