Cosmopolitan Life
Music album by Al Di Meola & Leonid Agutin
Producer by Alex Sino
Cosmopolitan Life © 2005
The album “Al Di Meola & Leonid Agutin” Produced by Alex Sino
Cosmopolitan Life
Produced by Alex Sino
5 Nominee GRAMMY Awards®
5 Nominee GRAMMY Awards®
- “Best Album of the Year”
- “Best Latin Pop Album.”
- “Best Duet” for ”Just A Rainy Day”
- “Best Arrangement”
- “Best Music Video” for ”Funky Cha.”
The album “AL DI MEOLA and LEONID AGUTIN
THE INSPIRATION
Coamopolitan Life
One has been repeatedly hailed as one of the world's greatest guitarists; the other is Russia's biggest rock star. With twenty million album sales between them, the union of Al Di Meola and Leonid Agutin seems destined for success. For their debut album together, "Cosmopolitan Life", the two have created a unique sound, giving the term crossover a new dimension. Dreamily beautiful pop tunes meld with Russian jazz, Gypsy rhythms and Argentinian tango. Although Agutin sings mostly in English, many other languages figure. The title song, for instance, has a Portuguese chorus. The Muscovite's distinctive voice leads the listener through a variety of cultures. "People from all countries can recognize themselves in our songs," he says. "A European will get just as much from our CD as an African, American, Asian or Latin."
Each song has a mood of its own. The sunny "Tango" is bubbling over with South American vivacity. "Blue River" shows off the many and varied facets of pop music. "Portofino" conjures up a warm summer night in southern Europe. "Cuba Africa" blends African elements with Cuban sounds. All these songs leave plenty of scope for Di Meola's brilliant guitar playing, whether the artist is displaying his virtuosity in solos or providing discreet accompaniment to Agutin's vocals.
Al Di Meola and Leonid Agutin spent almost two years at work on their album. The story began in 2002 with five joint appearances in Moscow and St Petersburg. "We were exploring each other's musical worlds at the time," Agutin recalls. He was fascinated by Di Meola's sophisticated guitar riffs and rich harmonies. His partner was impressed by the great potential of the Russian's compositions: "For me, Agutin's music is not typically Russian, it is international," Di Meola affirms. From the start, his guitar playing fitted in perfectly with Agutin's songs. That was why the duo decided to record their CD in the legendary Criteria Hit Factory in Miami, engaging only the best musicians: Anthony Jackson, Vinnie Collaiuta, Gumbi Ortiz, Ron Taylor, all masters in their own field.
Coamopolitan Life
One has been repeatedly hailed as one of the world's greatest guitarists; the other is Russia's biggest rock star. With twenty million album sales between them, the union of Al Di Meola and Leonid Agutin seems destined for success. For their debut album together, "Cosmopolitan Life", the two have created a unique sound, giving the term crossover a new dimension. Dreamily beautiful pop tunes meld with Russian jazz, Gypsy rhythms and Argentinian tango. Although Agutin sings mostly in English, many other languages figure. The title song, for instance, has a Portuguese chorus. The Muscovite's distinctive voice leads the listener through a variety of cultures. "People from all countries can recognize themselves in our songs," he says. "A European will get just as much from our CD as an African, American, Asian or Latin."
Each song has a mood of its own. The sunny "Tango" is bubbling over with South American vivacity. "Blue River" shows off the many and varied facets of pop music. "Portofino" conjures up a warm summer night in southern Europe. "Cuba Africa" blends African elements with Cuban sounds. All these songs leave plenty of scope for Di Meola's brilliant guitar playing, whether the artist is displaying his virtuosity in solos or providing discreet accompaniment to Agutin's vocals.
Al Di Meola and Leonid Agutin spent almost two years at work on their album. The story began in 2002 with five joint appearances in Moscow and St Petersburg. "We were exploring each other's musical worlds at the time," Agutin recalls. He was fascinated by Di Meola's sophisticated guitar riffs and rich harmonies. His partner was impressed by the great potential of the Russian's compositions: "For me, Agutin's music is not typically Russian, it is international," Di Meola affirms. From the start, his guitar playing fitted in perfectly with Agutin's songs. That was why the duo decided to record their CD in the legendary Criteria Hit Factory in Miami, engaging only the best musicians: Anthony Jackson, Vinnie Collaiuta, Gumbi Ortiz, Ron Taylor, all masters in their own field.
On the creation process
- Alex SinoProducer'Once in the studio, Di Meola and Agutin expected peak performance from every participant. They laid the foundations together, and then they set to work separately in New York and Moscow on polishing the songs. The recording took over a year.'
- Leonid AgutinLead vocal, copmoser'We gave a lot of attention to each individual number," we were very critical in selecting which songs should go on the album. They came up with ten memorable tracks in which every note has its place.'
- Al Di MeolaGuitarist, composer'Each song has a mood of its own. The sunny "Tango" is bubbling over with South American vivacity. "Blue River" shows off the many and varied facets of pop music. "Portofino" conjures up a warm summer night in southern Europe.'
VIDEO
OFFICIAL VIDEO FOR “COSMOPOLITAN LIFE”
CREDITS
THANK YOU TO EVERYONE INVOLVED
IN THE MAKING OF THIS PROJECT
THANK YOU TO EVERYONE INVOLVED
IN THE MAKING OF THIS PROJECT
Produced by Leonid Agutin and Al Di Meola
Co-produced by Albert Fedoseev and Igor Laletin
Arranged by Leonid Agutin, Albert Fedoseev, and Al Di Meola
General producer - Alex Sino
All songs composed by Leonid Agutin (BMI)
Lyrics by Alex Sino (BMI)
Recorded by Ron Taylor at Criteria Hit Factory, Miami, Florida
Engineer: Vadim Chislov at Criteria Hit Factory, Miami, Florida
Pre-production: Igor Laletin at "Salam" Studio, Tver, Russia
Drum Programming: Igor Laletin
Drum track in "Blue River" performed by Vinnie Colaiuta recorded by Ego
Works (courtesy of Dream Sound Records)
All tracks mixed by Igor Laletin at Criteria Hit Factory, Miami, Florida
Mastering by Master & Servant, Hamburg, Germany
Co-produced by Albert Fedoseev and Igor Laletin
Arranged by Leonid Agutin, Albert Fedoseev, and Al Di Meola
General producer - Alex Sino
All songs composed by Leonid Agutin (BMI)
Lyrics by Alex Sino (BMI)
Recorded by Ron Taylor at Criteria Hit Factory, Miami, Florida
Engineer: Vadim Chislov at Criteria Hit Factory, Miami, Florida
Pre-production: Igor Laletin at "Salam" Studio, Tver, Russia
Drum Programming: Igor Laletin
Drum track in "Blue River" performed by Vinnie Colaiuta recorded by Ego
Works (courtesy of Dream Sound Records)
All tracks mixed by Igor Laletin at Criteria Hit Factory, Miami, Florida
Mastering by Master & Servant, Hamburg, Germany
Musicians:
Leonid Agutin - leading vocal, keyboard, acoustic guitar
Al Di Meola - acoustic guitars, electric guitars, all guitar solos
Anthony Jackson, Julio Hernandez, Oleg Tarkhov, Sergey Korolev - bass
Vinnie Colaiuta, Arthur Gazarov, Lee Levine - drums
Albert Fedoseev - keyboards, piano, Hammond
Richard Bravo, Arthur Gazarov, Gumbi Ortiz - percussions
Anatoly Kotov - additional acoustic guitar
Saxophone: Ed Calle
Trombone: John Kricker
Trumpet: Tony Concepcion
Angelica Varum - vocal in "If I'll get a chance."
Albert Fedoseev, Ron Taylor, Angelica Varum - back vocal
Lilian Viana, Rogerio Moura, Beatriz Malnic, Pedro Ferreira - back vocal in
"Cosmopolitan Life" song
Farah Lopez, Aster Wilson, Artia Lockett, Randy Singer Group - back vocal
ALBUM ARTWORK
Al DI MEOLA
Guitarist | Arranger | Composer
Known for his works in jazz fusion and world music, he began his career as guitarist with the group Return to Forever in 1974. The 1970s and 1980s saw albums such as Land of the Midnight Sun, Elegant Gypsy, Casino and Friday Night in San Francisco earn him both critical and commercial success. Di Meola's career is peppered with high-profile collaborations. The list includes Chick Corea, Stanley Clarke, Larry Coryell, Steve Winwood, Jaco Pastorius, Paco de Lucia, Bill Bruford, John McLaughlin, Jan Hammer, Jean-Luc Ponty, Steve Vai and others.
Guitarist | Arranger | Composer
Known for his works in jazz fusion and world music, he began his career as guitarist with the group Return to Forever in 1974. The 1970s and 1980s saw albums such as Land of the Midnight Sun, Elegant Gypsy, Casino and Friday Night in San Francisco earn him both critical and commercial success. Di Meola's career is peppered with high-profile collaborations. The list includes Chick Corea, Stanley Clarke, Larry Coryell, Steve Winwood, Jaco Pastorius, Paco de Lucia, Bill Bruford, John McLaughlin, Jan Hammer, Jean-Luc Ponty, Steve Vai and others.
LEONID (Lenny) AGUTIN
SINGER | COMPOSER | GUITARIST | PIANO
An outstanding musician, performer of his own songs in various genres, mainly pop and bossa nova.
Since 1995 he rose to fame in his homeland. Since 1997 he has been working with producer Alex Sino. In 2000, together with his wife, popular singer Angelika Varum, he made a world tour with the album “Service Romance”.
SINGER | COMPOSER | GUITARIST | PIANO
An outstanding musician, performer of his own songs in various genres, mainly pop and bossa nova.
Since 1995 he rose to fame in his homeland. Since 1997 he has been working with producer Alex Sino. In 2000, together with his wife, popular singer Angelika Varum, he made a world tour with the album “Service Romance”.
ABOUT ALEX SINO
PRODUCER/ WRITER/ LYRICIST
Dr. Alex Sino is the Latin Grammy Award-winning producer, writer, and lyricist. He has worked with numerous established and emerging artists including Al Di Meola, Leonid Agutin, MC Solaar, Macy Gray, Arturo Sandoval, Rudy Perez, Anthony Jackson, Xavier Naidoo, Till Bronner, Orlando “Maraca” Valle, No Mercy, Jon Secada, Diego Torres, Amaury Gutierrez, Carlos Oliva, Omara Portuondo, along with many others.
PRODUCER/ WRITER/ LYRICIST
Dr. Alex Sino is the Latin Grammy Award-winning producer, writer, and lyricist. He has worked with numerous established and emerging artists including Al Di Meola, Leonid Agutin, MC Solaar, Macy Gray, Arturo Sandoval, Rudy Perez, Anthony Jackson, Xavier Naidoo, Till Bronner, Orlando “Maraca” Valle, No Mercy, Jon Secada, Diego Torres, Amaury Gutierrez, Carlos Oliva, Omara Portuondo, along with many others.
USA
Alex Sino 305pier5@gmail.com
