Area 52 is a 2012 album by acoustic duo Rodrigo y Gabriela and the Cuban orchestra known as C.U.B.A. It is Rodrigo y Gabriela's fifth album overall, and their first collaboration with another group. Their aim was to "do our music with a Cuban orchestra that plays in a very traditional way, a fusion"."Wondering Sound Interview" , Tad Hendrickson, 'Q&A: Rodrigo y Gabriela', Wondering Sound, January 24, 2012. All the songs on this album are re-recordings of songs previously released in their previous two studio albums. The duo spent 20 days recording in Cuba where "the pianist also made the arrangements for the orchestra. We'd play along with the musicians so they could hear our energy". Afterwards, the band overdubbed solo parts at their own studio.
Track listing
Personnel Rodrigo y Gabriela Rodrigo Sánchez – acoustic guitar Gabriela Quintero – acoustic guitar
C.U.B.A. Lazaro A. Oviedo Dilou – trumpet Edouardo J. Sandoval Ferrer – trombone Cesar Alejandro Lopez Martinez – saxophone Ariel Sarduy Mena – violin Anolan Gonzalez Morejon – viola Feliciano Arango Noa – bass Irving Roberto Frontelo Rico – violin Alex Wilson piano, musical director Otto Santana Selis – cajón, drums, percussion Jorge Leliebre Sorzano- flute Juan Kemell Barrera Toledo – trumpet Rene Suarez Zapata – percussion
Featured Artists Samuel Folmell Alfonso – drums John Tempesta – drums Anoushka Shankar – sitar Carles Benavent – bass Carlota Teresa Polledo Noriega – vocals Le Trio Joubran – oud
Production Rodrigo Sánchez – production Peter Asher – production Rafa Sardina – mixing Robyn Robins – mastering Jorge Gabriel "Benny" Benitez Herrera – engineering Nathaniel Kunkel – engineering Nicolas Rosemond – engineering Neil Williams – engineering Alex Wilson – arrangements Samantha Lopez – photography Niall Muckian – photography Christina Angelina – cover art
References