The best music is closer than it appears

Latino Leaders: The National Magazine of the Successful American Latino, April-May, 2004 by Alexis Langagne

These recent musical productions are stunning, unique, easy to listen toy--which is different from "easy listening"--and represent some of the most creative of recent music.

Peter Gabriel: Growing Up/Live

Probably the best rock artist of all times; Gabriel is a musician, a personality who stands out beyond all that we've heard and seen. Once more--now close to six decades of age--Gabriel takes the risk of reinventing himself, evolving his style and daring new music formulas. With overwhelming intensity, musicality, and surrounded by extraordinary musicians, Gabriel is one of the greatest living artists. You will enjoy listening to and watching this superb DVD. It will also make you reflect about humanity and dignity.

Boris Kovac & Ladaaba Orchestra: Ballads at the End of Time

This unique, profound, sincere, and beautiful music is best described as "an apocalyptic Balkan dance." Like much art from Yugoslavia, this musical composition expresses contrast and paradox. It entices happiness and sadness, humor and pain, and, ultimately, blends myth and reality into "a timeless life at the end of time." In the second part of his Balkan dance, composer and saxophonist Kovac takes us through a journey that perfectly mixes Gypsy and Romanian music with waltz, tango, jazz, classical, and many ethnic music styles.

This music is worth the time, worth the "risk" of being exposed to art that knows no boundaries. Take the time to explore it. Take the time to open yourself and get into it. This might be something you will remember for a long time!

* The author is a passionate music listener and drummer, has recorded albums with rock bands, performed live in Mexico, Japan, and the US; and taught drumming lessons. A Mexican executive working for a Fortune 50 company, today Alexis lives in Houston and can be reached at alexis_langagne@hotmail.com