Jose Feliciano is quite a legend in the genre of Latin American pop. An eloquent and skilled guitarist and singer extraordinare, he possesses a knack for bringing a jazz touch to many of the Latin songs he performs. Not only can he spark a crowd with his smooth, soulful brushstrokes on the guitar and his eclectic voice, he can do so much as to take Latin American music to a new level.
Feliciano deserves much credit for bringing Latin music to the United States, along with such gifted people like Astrid and Joao Gilberto and
Antonio Carlos Jobim. It is in this collection,
Time After Time, that
Feliciano adds his best work. The record features such classics as "La Bamba,"
the Doors' "Light My Fire," and
Elton John's "Daniel." Though most bands and musicians cover well-crafted songs without much success,
Feliciano treats these with much respect and grace. His version of "Light My Fire" is truly breathtaking. Taking a sharp, intense rock song and arranging it into a soothing ballad was his intention, helping him crossover into the world of American pop. His blend of jazz and sweeping Latin guitar scales sincerely earned him success in the States. The success of "Light My Fire" led to a new breed of others like the Mamas and the Papas' "California Dreamin'." These two hits first appeared on his first American record, plainly entitled Feliciano, released from the RCA Victor label. His successful attempt of transitioning into an American audience preceded those of
Julio Iglesias,
Freddy Fender, and Reuben Blades.
Feliciano can be traced as a stepping stone and solid influence of many Latin artists to emerge into the American musical scene.
Feliciano displayed a remarkable sense of dexterity in his guitar playing, playing renditions of tunes with a flair for musical textures and scale tones. His soul-touching voice is pleasant and quite passionate throughout
Time After Time. Other performances such as "Que Sera Sera" and the hip swing tune "Chico and The Man" add a rainbow of musical colors, defining the roots of Latin rhythms. A heart-sweeping chord is struck in his ambitious rendition of "Bambaleo." Perhaps the sleeper of the record is his cover of
Carlos Santana's hit "Samba Pa Ti," played very freely and with liberation in mind. The record ends with the eerie-sounding classical piece, a lush "Malaguena."
Time After Time is a must recommendation for the avid jazz or Brazilian listener.