JOSÉ LUIS FERNÁNDEZ LEDESMA designios
		Format CD Country Mexico Recorded 2002 Issued 2003 Label Luna Negra Records Cat no. CDLN-21 Playing time 56:53 Reviewer Sven Eriksen

The Mexican musician José Luis Fernandes Ledesma combines – like Richard Wileman – old acoustic and modern electronic instruments. But he does it quite differently. His music is more rhythmic, and he uses elements from his own country’s music in such a way that the end result is almost like an ethnic Gentle Giant.

Ledesma has a background in the band Nirgal Vallis. Ave Luz, which opens the record, is light flowing, with a certain Steve Hackett inspiration in spite of it not having all that much electric guitar. Instead, flutes and female vocals are in the main role. Saena is an instrumental where flutes and percussion create an ethnic basis for sophisticated melodies played by violin and various keyboards. Canción Para Un Sólo Día combines frisky rhythms with simple, beautiful melodies in the same way that Gentle giant did, and the song partly sounds like it has been pulled from In A Glass House.

Abismo is almost Violetta Parra meets Keith Emerson, and in the 18 minutes long Los Designios de Géminis, Ledesma covers a wide specter, from local folk tunes to symphonic rock. A musical jigsaw with intricate gambols, both rhythmically and melodically, carried by Margarita Botello’s fine voice, Ledesma’s many guitars and keyboards, and a beautiful middle section played by a soaring cello.

Designios is a very thorough and well-crafted record, a record where the musical and melodical aspect is in the forefront, at the same time it is full of exciting details and contrasts, enough to keep the discriminating listener occupied for a long time. One of the best records so far this year.

© 2003 Tarkus Magazine

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