José Luis Perales offers up a melancholy gem for 2006 titled
Navegando por Ti. The searching, world-weary expectation set up by the title will not be disappointed. With a blue, rainy Sunday vibe, each tune is delivered gently and sensitively, in a fashion typically only achievable by music world veterans.
Perales shows himself to be a consummate songwriter, as always. The lyrical content is as wry and intelligent as will be found anywhere, mournful though it may be. The pace and timbre of the record is best suited for contemplative moments or smoky cafes. That said,
Perales does take a few opportunities to step out of his dark corner into the light on selections like "Una Cancion por la Paz" and "Santo Domingo," which manage to strike a balance between intimacy and bright, vibrant energy. Recorded for the Norte label,
Navegando por Ti has a delightfully jazzy, sophisticated attitude. Both for musical taste and lyrical poetry,
José Luis Perales continues to be a credit to Spanish music. ~ Evan C. Gutierrez