New Collection from Jaime Cortez Gives Advent a Fresh New Sound

PORTLAND, OR. (Top40 Charts/ OCP) - Adviento, the new release from Jaime Cortez, provides a bilingual, twenty-first century soundtrack for Advent. Featuring contemporary and Latin styles, these 14 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 Maria" 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 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.

"With the musical genius and production assistance of Andy Andino of Who Do You Say I Am, Jaime has created a quality of sound that is engaging for listening and for use with prayer," says Pedro Rubalcava, director of Hispanic ministries for OCP. "Bilingual assemblies will find these tunes useful and practical for helping them pray the liturgies of Advent."

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 great listening, from start to finish.

Adviento serves as a much-needed boost to the Spanish/bilingual repertoire for Advent. For more information on Jaime Cortez, Adviento and other products from OCP, call 800-548-8749 or visit ocp.org.