The Bridge (2021), by Sting

Gordon Matthew Thomas Sumner is back in top form with his best all-around solo album since 1996’s Mercury Falling. It is also one of his best albums of all time and certainly his best album of the 21^st century so far.

 

More than any of his offerings in the previous quarter century, Sting’s latest release builds a bridge back to the highs of the first decade of his solo career while still sounding fresh and modern. It marks a welcome return to organic instrumentation with subtle electronic and orchestral embellishments to round out Sting’s classic sonic grandiosity.

 

Now 70 years old, Sting sounds as good as ever, with just a hint of wizened grizzle. His trademark multi-tracked vocals are utilized to great effect on the rousing, Police-like opening number, “Rushing Water.”

 

Other song highlights include “Harmony Road” (with a beautiful sax solo by longtime collaborator Branford Marsalis), “The Hills on the Border,” the title track, and “Captain Bateman’s Basement” (one of three extra tunes on the deluxe edition).

 

The absolute gem of this already stellar collection is “The Bells of St. Thomas,” which is one of Sumner’s finest musical and lyrical compositions.

 

Sting, it’s great to have you back!

 

--Raj Manoharan

MIradas (2021), by Jose Luis Serrano Esteban

For his fourth album, master guitarist Jose Luis Serrano Esteban uses nylon strings to create a well-rounded and immersive sonic environment that is a delight for the ears, the mind, and the soul.

The record is not only a marvel of composition and performance, but also of arrangement, instrumentation, and orchestration, all of which are done masterfully. In addition to Esteban’s guitars, the music comprises synthesizers (Esteban), piano and keyboards (Roger Subirana), violin (Sandra Lopez), flutes (Paula Campos, Carlos Calvo), and clarinet (Santiago Puente), with Nacho Serrano on bass guitar, Cristobal Caballero on double bass, and Mario Sanjuan on drums.

 

The melodies are beautiful and elegant, and Esteban’s pitch-perfect guitar playing is straightforward and accessible in service of the album’s overall light and pleasant pop sound. His note picking and chord strumming are palpable and poignant, thanks especially to the visceral sound mix.

 

This is one of the best guitar albums ever produced and recorded. It is soothing and refreshing and also a great showcase for the virtuosity of all of the musicians involved, especially under the steady hand of Esteban.

 

--Raj Manoharan