From the Depths David Clavijo

From the Depths is the stunning second release from Spanish composer/guitarist/keyboardist David Clavijo. It has been six year since his debut, The Landing (Special Edition), but it was definitely worth the wait! World music influences are strong and speak of unity and understanding while expressing a full range of emotions. The impressive list of guest artists includes pianist Chad Lawson; vocalists Charlee Brooks, Laura Powers, and Rosa Cedron; and sax legend Premik Russell Tubbs. Clavijo has done soundtrack work for independent filmmakers in Spain, and much of his music has that broad, dramatic sweep of great film music. Comparisons to Yanni’s multi-cultural music are inevitable, but Clavijo’s music stands firmly on its own. Four of the tracks include vocals and lyrics, three of which are sung in English. This is truly an excellent album from the stirring music to the exceptional production. I can guarantee that it will be on my list of Favorites for the year!

From the Depths begins with the title track, a gorgeous piece that features a wide range of musical instruments, including Clavijo’s soulful electric guitar - a great beginning! “When We Were Together” is a bit dreamier and more reflective. “Fly With Me” soars to the heavens on the sounds of guitar (acoustic and electric), strings, keyboard, and flutes - enchanting and passionate. “The Song of Wisdom” begins quietly, but with an air of mystery. Native American flutes, drums and chanting paint a haunting picture of the early United States. “Fragile World” seems to be the centerpiece of the album and also appears at the end as a bonus track. Laura Powers sings the lyrics in English, expressing universal themes about helping each other and caring about others and the world. The buoyant rhythms and catchy melody could make this a pop hit. “Sanctus Dominus” is Gregorian chant with electric guitar and a strong beat - it works! “Sitting On the Seawall” is my favorite track and features saxophonist Premik Russell Tubbs. The rhythms are exotic, but the sax is pure soul! Clavijo adds his Spanish guitar and then the electric guitar for dark and sultry musical perfection! “The Journey” features the angelic vocals of Charlee Brooks in a gently-swaying, hypnotic ballad. “Ou est mon Bonheur” (“Where Is My Happiness?”) Is a heart-breaking piece for piano (the incredible Chad Lawson) and cello. Lawson’s less-is-more approach only adds to the poignance of this emotionally-powerful piece. Charlee Brooks returns for “Out of the Depths,” a graceful love song. The bonus track of “Fragile World” is sung by Spanish singer Rosa Cedron and features Chad Lawson on piano. Not nearly as pop-oriented as the first version, this beautiful ballad will touch your heart whether or not you understand the Spanish lyrics.

Still in his early 30’s, David Clavijo has set an extraordinarily high standard for himself and his music - and I’d be willing to bet that he will never disappoint, no matter how many albums he releases in his career! In the US, From the Depths is available for download from Amazon and iTunes. Very highly and enthusiastically recommended!

“From the Depths” is the follow-up recording to “The Landing” by composer and multi-instrumentalist David Clavijo, who was born in Andalusia, Spain. Inspired by a trip to the nearby Balaeric island of Ibiza, which is renowned for its distinctive brand of chillout and electronic music, David’s influences also include artists such as Mike Oldfield, Enigma, Vangelis, Brian Eno and Jean Michel Jarre.

The album begins with the title piece, “From the depths”, which is led by melodic piano and flute amidst tribal and electronic percussion. The composition is soon joined by soaring electric guitar, followed by a serene pause with indiscernible spoken word towards the middle of the piece, before picking up pace again. The world-chill vibe of this track is carried into “When We Were Together”, a piece characterized by piano and Spanish guitar that possesses a sunny, breezy Mediterranean flair. “Fly with Me” follows in the same vein with a diverse array of alternating piano, flute, strings and electric guitar amidst gentle percussion and tinkling bells. Native flutes and chants adorn “The Song of Wisdom”, whereas “Fragile World” is a more Celtic-laced offering featuring the vocals of Laura Powers. Gregorian chants lend a sacred mystique to “Sanctus Dominus”, an Enigma-inspired track complete with shakuhachi flute and electric guitar. A Balearic feel permeates “Sitting on the Seawall”, which is easily my favorite track on the album. This definitively sensual number offers touches of smooth jazz with saxophone courtesy of Premik Russell Tubbs, and the additional delights of both classical and electric guitar. The ethereal vocals of Charlee Brooks grace “The Journey”, a whimsical piece that conveys a feeling of flight and fantasy, as she sings a lyrically indecipherable yet phonetically lovely tune. Chad Lawson lends his piano to “Où est mon Bonheur?”, a more contemplative piece with a classical touch that additionally features cello. The voice of Charlee Brooks returns for “Out of the Depths”, an alternate version of the opening track with English-sung lyrics. Closing out the album is “Fragile World (Bonus Track)”, once again showcasing Chad Lawson on piano, as he’s joined by singer Rosa Rosa Cedrón. This time we are presented with an entire reworking of the original piece, absent of rhythm and with lyrics sung in Spanish.

“From the Depths” is quite simply a spectacular album, boasting an impressive display throughout of various cultural overtones, which are beautifully conveyed by its flawless fusion of electronic, acoustic and ethnic instruments. As his sophomore release, the six years that have lapsed since David’s debut album have proven worth the wait, as the added layer of depth and maturity contained within these compositions have taken his music to a whole new level of remarkable accomplishment. With a title that couldn’t be more fitting, “From the Depths” is sure to appeal to listeners who enjoy many musical styles, and is a particularly essential album for fans of Mike Oldfield, Enigma and Ibiza chillout music.