Search - Nine Rain :: Rain of Fire

World Music at its best!

Sergio J Castro | Ensenada, Baja California | 10/20/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"In the countries where English is spoken, music that's not sung in this language is labeled as "World Music". Nine Rain is an Avant-Garde WORLD MUSIC Rock group regardless of the fact that the majority of the songs are sung in English. World Music, How else would you label a group formed by an European and three Americans? One of the Americans is an Anglo from the USA and the other two are Mexicans. The European, Nikolas Klau, is a German Electronica Bass Player; The two Mexicans are both guitarist, one of them, Alejandro Herrera, plays a traditional Mexican strings instrument called Jarana, very popular in the Golf of Mexico region; the other one, Jose Manuel Aguilera, is an obscure Rock guitarist; The Angloamerican, Steven Brown, is an underground Jazz saxophonist from San Francisco. The group recorded this CD in Cuba with a whole ensemble of local musicians, including the drummer. Nine Rain was formed in Mexico City. In Rain of Fire you can appreciate the eclectic background influence of two musicians from very different styles: Jose Manuel Aguilera and Steven Brown. Aguilera is the leader of Mexico's rock group La Barranca, he is considered Rock en Español's best guitarist and he has worked with Sangre Asteka, Caifanes and Jaguares. Steven Brown is the leader of Nine Rain and cofounder of San Francisco based great underground Jazz group Tuxedomoon, he's also a writer, actor and world traveler. The set list includes 4 instrumentals, four songs sung in English, two songs sung in Spanish and 2 sonic collages recorded in the streets of La Habana. Recommended for any La Barranca or Tuxedomoon fan out there."