With Adviento, Jaime Cortez has given Advent a bilingual, twenty-first century soundtrack. Featuring contemporary and Latino styles, these 15 Spanish, English and bilingual songs capture all the color and longing of this hopeful season.
Mary figures prominently here, just as she does in the Advent readings. Sung entirely in Spanish, “Ave María” is Jaime's tender new folk guitar arrangement of the Hail Mary. Another easy-paced ballad, “Nothing Is Impossible” (sung entirely in English) is a beautiful meditation on the Magnificat and God's limitless power.
“Let the Lord Enter” is a gospel-style setting of Psalm 24. Powerful and prayerful, the bilingual “Advent Litany” has the assembly sing, “O come, O come,” after each of Christ's traditional Advent titles. Opening with a burst of trumpets and Latin percussion, “Ven, O Ven, Emanuel” is a bilingual, Latin-style song inviting all to make straight God's way.
Produced by Andy Andino of Who Do You Say I Am, the CD is top-notch, with superb performances on both instruments and vocals. From the opening strains of the instrumental “Waiting Prelude,” with its synthesized orchestration, you know you're in for something different. It makes for great listening, from start to finish.
A much-needed boost to the Spanish/bilingual repertoire for Advent, Adviento will reward all who sing and hear its original words and melodies.