Elmer Ferrer, guitarist and composer born in Sancti Spiritus on 1973, who possesses a wide professional career in favor of music, boasting an amazing path of success. His presence has been noteworthy at recordings, tours, concerts and ''descargas'' along with such name bands and soloists as Estado de Animo, Santiago Feliú, Gema y Pavel, Habana Abierta, Equis Alfonso, Rochy, Juego de manos, Interactivo, Noel Nicola, Habana Ensemble and Pasaje Abierto, just to mention a few.

Elmer has charisma enough to play and perform in albums and concerts, tours or ''descargas'' of all those surrounding him, in this way, his flexibility and eclecticism has netted him the appearance in more than 15 sets as solo artist around the last two years.
The guest contributor for diverse bands and singers, highlighting David Álvarez y Juego de Manos in the cut ''Habanera Sola'', or in Temperamento`s ''Elengó'' CD or even in the Habana Abierta`s ''Veinticuatro Horas''; is still enhancing his profile to head his debut album Metrópoli, sound base for his international take off as solo artist.

There`re good cuts here for all those lovers of the six chords. Its language deals with Jazz Rock, Flamenco, Hard Rock, Heavy metal, Traditional Jazz, R&B and chords quartets.

Metrópoli, winner of 2003 Cubadisco Award as Best Opera Prima, is a Unicornio Label production gathering the sound of the cities. The CD is boasting the music of Ferrer himself plus orchestral arrangements shared with pianist Alexis Bosch, starting on jazz, it spreads its wings to other genres such as flamenco or Folk.

Ten pieces take us through the work of an eminent guitar player; -acoustic and electric- being also song/writer of themes inviting to the most overflowing reflection and improvisation. This album is more breaking than any rock or jazz fan can imagine. Each listen brings new appeals.

Talented musicians teamed him up in this recording adventure: Robertico Carcassés (piano), Jorge Alexander "El Sagua"(electric bass), Oliver Valdés (drums), Alexis Bosch (piano), Juan Pablo Domínguez (electric bass), Ruy López-Nussa (drums) and Emilito del Monte (percussion), Cesar López (saxo), Carlos Averhoff Jr.(tenor saxophone) and Alexander Brown (trumpet).

These names are responsible for a great deal of what is currently produced in the island in terms of discography. By digging into their profiles, we can realize they simply are the Cuban musical avant-garde of XXI century, where Jazz is experiencing a highly creative moment with such notable bands as Temperamento, Habana Ensemble, the Basilio Márquez`s Eclipse, Orlandito Sánchez, Pasaje Abierto, Interactivo, soloists as Román Filiú and some other youngsters as Traza Quartet and Habana Sax Quintet.

In this proposal, Elmer Ferrer is close to electrical pedals with glowing distortions to later rule the electric guitar in very sweat and fondling tones. He uses his guitar chords to look inside himself, into his musical memory. Even if it is worthy to the artist's perspective, it also implies a dosage of receptivity.

Metrópoli is a CD of confessions, love confession to his wife Xyrla in the highly-sentimental cut ''Mia'', present also in ''Isabella'' devoted to their first daughter. The blood injection launched to the mainstream by this album will mark new horizons. It is a whole, a unit although it is not approaching a unique topic. The production has been extremely careful, musicians recorded in their best mood, without annoying hurries to execute the recording sessions and this spirit is present each time. Each cut has a singular sound and its own concept of mixture.

Metrópoli guarantees a visible profit to guitarist and composer Elmer Ferrer, the recording of an exciting project, legitimate winner of one of the accolades from the main and best contest of Cuban record.

Courtesy of Toni Basanta.

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