Raul Mid�n

INFO

It’s rare that an artist arrives onto the pop music scene so fully loaded with the kind of hit-making potential that singer-composer-guitarist Raul Midón possesses. The New Mexico-born, New York-based Midón makes his recording debut with State of Mind, produced by Arif Mardin and Joe Mardin for Manhattan Records. The 13-track collection of Midón originals is a remarkable mélange of soul, R&B, pop, folk, jazz and Latin. The CD places on display his earnest, lyrical songwriting; full-bodied vocals steeped in soul; a singular syncopated, flamenco- and jazz-infused acoustic guitar style; a unique vocal trumpet improvisation; and hopeful disposition.

State of Mind is a revelation that boasts a guest roster featuring Stevie Wonder (a guest harmonica performance on “Expressions of Love”) and Jason Mraz (a vocal duet on their collaborative song, the reggae-inflected “Keep on Hoping”). In addition there are contributions from Latin jazz flutist Dave Valentin and percussionist Sammy Figueroa (on the Afro-Cuban sizzling “I Would Do Anything.”), harmonica ace Gregoire Maret and percussionist Cyro Baptista (on the exuberant “Sunshine”) and jazz vibraphonist Stefon Harris, who performs on the sublime “All in Your Mind.” This last song is Midón’s way of opening a window on what it’s like to be blind. "I wrote ‘All in Your Mind’ to talk about how, when you’re blind, you perceive everything through your imagination.” 

As one will hear with State of Mind, Midon’s extraordinarily original style is an accumulation and perpetual evolution of his roots in percussive native folk music of Argentina in conjunction with an exploration in jazz and flamenco, but a noticeably accessible pop sensibility. The Washington Post commented that Midón’s “style is a febrile amalgam of Stevie Wonder vocals, feel-good pop songwriting, sophisticated jazz harmonies and a ferociously aggressive way of playing acoustic guitar.”

 He notes, “I’m constantly trying to integrate everything I know musically into the guitar. I’m trying to make it sound like an orchestra…I hope to speak to all ages with the new album."

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