A career that spans across more than 30 years has defined Greek musician and arranger, Yanni, as one of the most important musicians of recent times, with melodies that have conquered the heart of millions all over the world. What a pleasure it would be to be able to bring these songs back now embodied in the voices of Latin America’s most important interpreters.
For a while, Yanni -a true creative, revered for his wonderful symphonic pieces, the intimate melodies that emanate from his keyboard, and his overall unforgettable songs, declined the possibility of other artists interpreting his music. This has now changed, as thanks to the sponsorship of Disney Pearl, he is releasing “Voces,” an album that has become one of the artist’s most ambitious projects to date.
Teaming up with renowned producer, GRAMMY-and-Oscar winner, Ric Wake for this project, they handpicked the most select voices of Spanish-speaking interpretative art, pairing up each voice talent with the right composition, both classical, as well as more modern.
Joined by stars like Jose Jose, Cristian Castro, Lucero, Olga Tañon, Arturo Sandoval and Jose Feliciano, Yanni and Wake effortlessly weaved a sensibility interlacing modern and Latin rhythms and achieving an extraordinary musical growth. “To have this great talent at my disposition was a privilege that will mark my career forever,” said the artist, who also added, “I believe the human voice is the most intense and expressive instrument known to man.”
Having careers that span for over two decades, both Yanni and Wake were in an excellent position to direct the vocalists that took part in this record, and assign the adequate portion of the work to each of them.
Jose Jose was selected to sing “Volver a Crecer”, a song that transcends the sublime to become an unforgettable piece. “It was a pleasure to work with this legendary singer,” admitted Yanni. Another great singer, Jose Feliciano, lends his voice to give life to “No Ha Dejado De Llover,” offering “a sensibility that stays present in all his interpretations over the course of his career,” added Yanni. “Feliciano is ones of the most special elements on this record, I will never forget the pleasure of having been in the same studio with him,” he said.
Mexican singers, Lucero and Cristian Castro, shine in this production with the songs “Ni La Fuerza Del Destino,” “Es Amor,” and “Eterno Es Este Amor.” On the first two tracks,
Castro leaves the imprint of interpretative quality that has come to characterize him, while Lucero delights us once more with her warmth and simplicity. “They are both very talented young people that could not be left out of this album,” states Yanni.
Meanwhile, the tropical flavor flowed in from merenguera Olga Tañon who interpreted songs like “Llama De Amor,” acomposition that demonstrates once again the reason why she’s come to be known as “Mujer de Fuego” (Fire Woman); she also sings “Vivir Por Ti,” alongside Nathan Pacheco, a young talented new artist discovered by Yanni. “I thought it would be lovely to hear them sing together and I am very happy to have done it because the chemistry they reached was formidable.”
Arturo Sandoval, what could be said of this amazing Cuban musician? … But that he is an amazing instrumentalist…. He, alongside Yanni and Ender –another of Yanni’s protégés- and Cuban salsa singer Willy Chirino, gave life to the song, “Volver”, without a doubt one of the best tracks on this album. “It was a dream come true to play with Arturo, he is a true master of music,” said Yanni.
Other singers that compliment “Voces” with excellence are Andy Vargas with “Y Te Vas,” and Chloe –Yanni’s girl wonder- with “Que Te Vaya Bien.” She also sings duet with Ender, on “Quedate Conmigo” and “Mi Modo Eres Tu”.
Finally, joining Nathan Pacheco, Ender Thomas, and Chloe is Leslie Mills (the last of Yanni’s ‘kids’), who put the golden seal on “Voces” with her interpretation of “Nican.” I think that Ric and I made an excellent choice in giving these guys this opportunity to show the world their great talents,” assessed Yanni.
Both, “Voces,” and its English counterpart album, “Voices,” have been the product of very hard labor on Yanni and Ric’s behalves for the past two years, working day and night “hunkered down at Yanni’s ‘camp’” (what they call Yanni’s studio, in Florida, US). “We probably did four or five years’ worth of work in two years,” said Yanni. “If you focus on something with conviction, the mind adapts to you and you reach a level that you normally don’t have access to.”
Wake remains one of the most creative characters in the industry of latter years, with a wrap sheet that includes developing the careers of figures like Mariah Carey, Celine Dion, Whitney Houston and Jennifer Lopez, in addition to winning the Oscar for the popular musical “Chicago.” He and Yanni have been friends for a long time, prior to making the decision of working together.
On his end, Yanni has piled up a lifetime of artistic achievements and enough success to cover three different careers. He was born Yannis Chrysomalis in Kalamata, Greece and arrived in the United States during his youth to study at the University of Minnesota, where he got his master’s degree and an honorary doctorate in Psychology. At age 14, he became a swimming champion, breaking the Greek record for freestyle. Also a celebrated author, his books have been landed the Top Ten on The New York Times’ Bestseller List. However, it was music that was his true passion and even though he had no formal training, Yanni put all his energy on developing his career. He played on various rock bands towards the late 80’s, but eventually found his own path, writing and playing instrumental music, an art that he adhered to like a liquid that cannot be contained.
By the end of the 80’s and the beginning of the 90’s Yanni released a number of albums that became immensely popular in many parts of the globe. These were: “Dare to Dream" (1992), “In My Time" (1993) and “Niki Nana" (1989). Besides, his offering in 2000, “If “I Could Tell You," he yielded his great work, “Live at The Acropolis," which was recorded live at the Herod Atticus Theater, a complex that is over two thousand years old and a concert that was captured by more than 14 cameras, becoming one of PBS’s most popular specials ever. Yanni has also given spectacular performances at the Taj Mahal in India, and China’s Forbidden City.
After multiple world tours, performing in front of millions of people, and over 35 gold and platinum albums, Yanni finally decided to take a break. Yet, not one to be too comfortable with inactivity, in his partnership with Ric Wake he was led to develop the “Voces” project. Add to all this, the support of the Disney brand, and it became clear that he was making a comeback.
“Voces” also includes a DVD with images from the recording process, plus the concert that took place in Acapulco with all the stars that participated on this album.
This is definitely an important project for Yanni, since it is through art that this musician achieves his magnificence. “If I can play a small role in contributing to people coming together, and introducing them to new cultures, and showing them all the things that we have in common,” he reflects, “it would be a great accomplishment for me.”
… With Yanni’s extraordinarily beautiful music, everything is possible.
