Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Frederico7: Exótico Americano

Frederico7: Exótico Americano

By Chris M. Slawecki
June 30, 2019
View read count

It's hard to figure out Exótico Americano and its creator Frederico7. Frederico7 lived in Brazil, Mexico, and Argentina, and then settled down in "the live music capital of the world": Austin, Texas. His music bounces around the globe the same way: Exótico Americano features Caribbean reggae, Columbian cumbia, Brazilian backbeats, Latin rock, and country and western (often in the same tune), while Frederico7 barks and howls out lyrics in English, Spanish, and Portuguese.

(And why wouldn't you expect a little mystery from a performer named "Frederico7"? What happened, for example, to the other six?)

Whoever he is, he IS upfront about his music. "The inspiration is the American Continent and its people," he explains. "The revelation in the record is that we are ALL 'Exótico Americanos' regardless of race, national background, etc. I wrote the lyrics of the title track 'Exótico Americano' specifically to highlight that universality. It's important to honor the indigenous keepers of the land and paying respect to the suffering source of the blues music. Also understanding that the riches we now enjoy were built upon the backs of millions and understanding we all have more in common than not."

So it's not surprising that out of its many styles and influences, American soul breaks through Exótico Americano more than anything else. "La Mirada del Halco?n," produced by Adrian Quesada (

Brownout

band / ensemble / orchestra

" data-original-title="" title="">Brownout), floats like a dreamy 1960s love song; the lead vocal in Spanish lends mystery to its almost but not quite psychedelic air. Sung in English and written by Frederico7 for his wife, "Nature of Love" sounds like a simple, hypnotic

Sade

vocals
b.1959

" data-original-title="" title="">Sade funk groove played at twice the speed, with drums and production straight from the dancefloor but with counterpointing horns painting broad and mellow jazz colors. From its electric blue guitars twinkling in the background, to its voluptuous rhythm guitar riffs, to its thick and lush production, "Azul Trancendental" grows like a quiet storm rising from the verdant fields of 1970s American soul.

The title track, a space-age electric blues sung in English and Spanish, manages to roll through urban funk, Latin rock, New Orleans groove, and country western, all wrapped like a web in shimmering electronic production.

"Every day I'm reminded that my story is really that of many," Frederico7 concludes. "In my heart, we are all Exotic Americans that bring unique flavors and journeys to this unique melting pot that is America, and that's what makes this continent great."

Learn more about our star rating system

Track Listing

Exótico Americano; Pe?rola Negra; La Mirada del Halcón; Nature of Love; Vibran Los Ancestros; Samba Revelation; Azul Trancendental; Ciclo das Gala?xias; Ela Ama; Run Free; Pe?rola Negra Remix.

Personnel

Frederico7

Adrián Quesada: guitar, bass, synthesizer; Alàn Uribe: bass, synthesizer; Brandàn Uribe: synthesizer; Beto Martinez: guitar; Bruno Vinezof: percussion, drums; Daniel Durham: bass; Greg Gonzales: bass; Jet Jaguar: bass; Joseph Woullard: flute; Joshua Thomson: saxophone; Michael Longoria: percussion; Pete Powers: drums; Sergio Yazbek: electric guitar; Sid?o Santos: bass; Stewart Cochran: synthesizer programing; Zumbi Richards: trombone; Frederico7: vocals, rhythm guitars, synthesizer, bass, piano; Greg Jones: electric guitar, EFX, synthesizer.

Album information

Title: Exótico Americano | Year Released: 2019 | Record Label: Self Produced

PREVIOUS / NEXT

Crepuscule In Nickelsdorf?
< Previous

Book Of Water
Next >

Support All About Jazz

All About Jazz has been a pillar of jazz since 1995, championing it as an art form and, more importantly, supporting the musicians who make it. Our enduring commitment has made "AAJ" one of the most culturally important websites of its kind, read by hundreds of thousands of fans, musicians and industry figures every month.

Go Ad Free!

To maintain our platform while developing new means to foster jazz discovery and connectivity, we need your help. You can become a sustaining member for as little as $20 and in return, we'll immediately hide those pesky ads plus provide access to future articles for a full year. This winning combination vastly improves your AAJ experience and allow us to vigorously build on the pioneering work we first started in 1995. So enjoy an ad-free AAJ experience and help us remain a positive beacon for jazz by making a donation today.