With his tour diary booked out over a year in advance, the Argentineโs reputation as a progressive icon, leader plus an all-round good guy, continues to spread throughout the world.
Known as a national hero in his homeland, heโs even been honoured with a special award from the government. So make no mistake, Cattaneo is massive, selling out stadium sized shows in Argentina whenever he plays. Here he curates and mixes โSunsetstripโ for Balance, as a tribute to his recent show in March.
The magic begins instantly on Disc One with a sermon from Darpan (one of the worlds leading healers and teachers). As youโve guessed, this oneโs the more restrained of the two offerings. Tracks from Davi, Mariano Mellino and El Maestro himself impress. As we reach the superb โHiding Sunโ by Juan Hansen this reviewerโs imagination is placed firmly amongst the crowds of Sunsetstrip in Buenos Airesโฆ an excellent Kevin De Serna double later sees us locked in cruise control. Antrimโs glorious โVoice of Reasonโ sends sprits soaring again, as weโre skilfully manoeuvred towards the end of mix one.
As Hernanโs legion of fans will testify, thereโs a very liquid, almost organic flow to his sets. This compilation is constructed almost entirely of exclusives for this release, with Cattaneo layering tracks, like an artist would use new colours, painting his own memories from the event.
A Mike Greigo double offering open up proceedings on disc two, all rubbery bass and tribal tinged. Itโs here when El Maestro begins to go through the gears and show us just why heโs revered as one of the best in the business. The funk and drive of Subandrioโs โMein Sohnโ heralds the golden hour of the entire ensemble. Thereโs a gorgeously intense track from Black 8 and muscly prog monster โForgottenโ by Cid Inc, both introduced in customary Cattaneo style. Later, weโre driven later headlong into the dawn, with sensual melodies from Mariano Mellino and EANP greeting our ears.
Sunsetstrip ranges from the smooth and elegant, towards more energetic and deeper offerings, with Cattaneo treating us to a masterclass on how to weave the light and dark together. The mixes are both scrupulously well-crafted and not once did it feel like the intention here was pleasing the masses. Hernan Cattaneo goes well beyond that. Both first time listeners and fans of El Maestro will not be disappointed.
