JON ANDERSON - (1994) DESEO

This is a strange one! The original Deseo album by Jon Anderson, released in 1994, was rooted in the music of Lain America. Personally, I do not rate it as one of his best, the songs being generally straightforward and unexciting.

About a year after its release though, this album of remixed tracks appeared. These remixes are by leading creators of ambient techno the sticker on the CD box proclaiming that they are a unique collaboration between two generations of textural ground breakers (sounds like a good lyrical passage for Jon that!). For those with any awareness of such things, the remixers are Deep Forst, Trans-Global Underground, Future Sound of London and Global Communication.

On the plus side, unlike similar projects involving songs by Yes and ELP, the songs here remain largely recognisable, although some are harder to spot than others. The opening version of Floresta (here called Deep Floresta) for example simply accentuates the beat and adds some more overt synths. The following Intercity 125mix on the other hand uses a favourite technique of the remixers, by repeating a brief extract over and over on top of a house rhythm.

The emphasis here is very much on those house rhythms and techniques rather than the world music sounds of Deseo. The chances are therefore that many people will enjoy one album but not the other. Certainly, for me there is little correlation between the two. Each has its own appeal, and indeed downsides. The versions (probably better referred to as interpretations) here are far longer than their original counterparts, each running to between 6 and 9 minutes. As a result, we only actually have a relatively small proportion of the 12 track original album.

It probably goes without saying, but despite the track lengths and the presence of Jon Anderson, this is about as far from prog as we get on this site. That said, the 9 minute mix of Amor Real does sound remarkably like the latter part of the title track from Marillion's Season's end.

Approach with caution unless you actually include house among your list of preferred genres.

Studio Album, released in 1994

Track Listings

1. Amor Real (4:17)
2. A-De-O (3:19)
3. Bridges (3:32)
4. Seasons (3:34)
5. Floresta (3:04)
6. Cafe (3:19)
7. This Child (2:14)
8. Dança Do Ouro (4:29)
9. Midnight Dancing (3:50)
10. Deseo (5:32)
11. Latino (3:18)
12. Bless This (2:56)

Total Time: 43:24

Line-up/Musicians:

- Jon Anderson / arranger, keyboards, vocals, producer
- Milton Nascimento & Cara Lee Day / vocals, choir, chorus, singer
- Maria Conchita Alonso & Glenn Monroig / vocals
- Cecil Toussaint & Deborah Anderson / vocals, choir, chorus, singer, inspiration
- Paul Haney / saxophone
- Jorge Laboy / guitar
- Mauricio Maestro / vocals
- Lorenza Ponce / violin
- Otmaro Ruiz / keyboards
- Aaron Serfaty / percussion
- Steve Thornton / percussion
- Eduardo del Signore / bass, vocals
- Girls of Puerto Rico / vocals
- Boca Licre & Vanessa Mixco / vocals, voices
- Mountain Girls / vocals
- Ruben Rada / percussion
- Francis Benítez / vocals, choir, chorus, singer
- Cecilia Toussaint / vocals
- Freddy Ramos / guitar
- Nina Swan / vocals, choir, chorus, singer
- Liza Gelabart / vocals, choir, chorus, singer
- Fernando Gama / bass