Mexican singer-songwriter Ely Guerra has accomplished something truly impressive on Lotofire, her domestic debut but third album overall: she's crafted an incredibly rich, diverse, and subtle album that stands up well i... more »n the company of such techno-informed pop divas as Fiona Apple or Bebel Gilberto. This is Guerra's best work to date. She retains her own style throughout with a sound that uses the arty elements of Arto Lindsay's skilled production while containing flourishes of a myriad of other styles drawn from south of the border. Regardless of how much ear candy is piled on top, the album also features a solid foundation of songwriting craft in Guerra's music, and her beautiful pop melodies really stand out. Instantly recognizable once heard, Guerra's sensual voice (she sings mostly in Spanish) cracks, coos, and takes flight. Perhaps most importantly for gringo ears, it also serves her well as a distinctive calling card even for non-Spanish speakers. Highlights include the trip-hopish "Abusar," the dubby "Vete," and the bossa-nova-driven "Prometo Ser." --Ted Hendrickson« less
Mexican singer-songwriter Ely Guerra has accomplished something truly impressive on Lotofire, her domestic debut but third album overall: she's crafted an incredibly rich, diverse, and subtle album that stands up well in the company of such techno-informed pop divas as Fiona Apple or Bebel Gilberto. This is Guerra's best work to date. She retains her own style throughout with a sound that uses the arty elements of Arto Lindsay's skilled production while containing flourishes of a myriad of other styles drawn from south of the border. Regardless of how much ear candy is piled on top, the album also features a solid foundation of songwriting craft in Guerra's music, and her beautiful pop melodies really stand out. Instantly recognizable once heard, Guerra's sensual voice (she sings mostly in Spanish) cracks, coos, and takes flight. Perhaps most importantly for gringo ears, it also serves her well as a distinctive calling card even for non-Spanish speakers. Highlights include the trip-hopish "Abusar," the dubby "Vete," and the bossa-nova-driven "Prometo Ser." --Ted Hendrickson
CD Reviews
"Guerra's sensual voice delivers shades of Enya"
J. Lovins | Missouri-USA | 03/12/2002
(4 out of 5 stars)
"The first time I heard Ely Guerra...really liked what I heard...but with this release
"LOTOFIRE", all the stops have been pulled, mesmerizing tunes rise like a morning fog from
the dew of wet fields...even though the words are in spanish, feel some bonding with the
melodic significance that transpires from each lyric...now I LOVE HER! There are definitely highlights within this realm of beauty ~ "PROMETO SER", serves up a
longing with a syncopated beat and percussion lends a flowing tempo..."VETE", brings forth
the passion from this young artist/composer, original beyond words, heating up the
soundwaves, love what I'm hearing..."MEJOR ME VOY", lonely places within your heart,
Guerra fills this void with her arrangements as we go into the next track with "TENGO
FRIO", upbeat with a sense of things getting better, completely in her element, know what she
wants and delivers. Hats off to Higher Octave for this release...you have given me the listener a musical fantasy
into something that makes me think, feel good and turns me into a loyal follower of...ELY
GUERRA! Total Time: 49:21 on 11 Tracks ~ Higher Octave OMCD-11674 ~ (2002)"
Sexy, surreal, sublime, simly...Ely Guerra
Joseph Valenzuela | Chicago, IL United States | 03/20/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I first discovered Ely Guerra back in the early 90's via an article in Mexican teen rag, ERES. I admit initially I was intrigued by her beauty and finally came across a copy of her horribly overlooked self-titled debut on BMG México. Her follow-up, PA' MORIRSE DE AMOR is as enchanting, if not more mellow than it's predecessor. LOTOFIRE was released in 1999 via EMI México, and became a critics fave though it was very uncommercial by Mexican standards, thus resulting in lackluster sales. This album is an amazing mix of drum and bass, bossa nova, and hypnotic electronica all with the sultry voice of Ely Guerra. If you are given the chance to see her live, you will be simply left in awe. She is that intense. Ely is the greatest voice in México today. You can testify to that yourself via this album which is finally given a just release in the US. Every track is worth 5 stars. As an extra bonus, the US version contains "De la calle", the theme song from the Mexican film of the same name."
Lotofire is seductive, hypnotic, inspiring...
Mikel | Central California | 07/23/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I acquired this cd two years after it was released in the U.S. mainly because I wasn't familiar with Ely's music. I had only heard her song "Angel de Fuego" and believed it to be her only good song. I had always planned to buy her cd PA' MORIRSE DE AMOR, where that song is included, but I doubt there are many copies available in any music store in the U.S., it's even hard to obtain in Mexico. I decided to buy LOTOFIRE since I won't be able to easily purchase her previous cds in the U.S. I was blown away by the quality this cd offers, yet I wasn't much into slow music when I sampled this cd two years ago--how one's musical taste can change over time--it's seductive and hypnotic. "De la Calle"--added to the American cd version, from the movie of the same name--starts of slow but suddenly delivers hard rock, hovering over Ely's light voice, but only because that's how she wants it, and it suits this particular song. Other highlights include the hypnotic "Yo No," "Vete," and the seductive "Tengo Frio." The best track has to be the melancholic "El Tiempo," which ends on a high musical note where Ely uses that wonderful wailing voice she would later offer in La Ley's MTV Unplugged version of "El Duelo." This song can change one's attitude towards life. Simply put, this song is the best I have recenlty discovered this year from musical treasures offered by Soda Stereo, Gustavo Cerati, El Ultimo de la Fila and Manolo Garcia; or from any musical trash currently playing on the radio airwaves, Pau-Latina anybody?
Ely's voice is full of wonders, she can easily throw low and high notes and at the same time she can use her voice to seduce you--just as good as Soraya--or hurt you; but in the end you will end wanting more. Stay tuned for SWEET AND SOUR, SPICY AND HOT."
Hypnotic and intense
Sarah Atkinson Linville | Greensboro, NC | 08/07/2005
(4 out of 5 stars)
"The U.S. debut of Ely Guerra's Lotofire has arrived. The album will now be more readily available to U.S. audiences. And that is cause for celebration. Guerra's voice seduces you into an ephemeral world where the hypnotic sounds of human voice calm you into a state of serenity. Yet the lyrics with their bittersweet grounding in reality won't let you fade completely away. In "Vete" Guerra represents the viewpoint of Mexican indigenous communities, expressing their right to defend their customs and beliefs. "Yo No"searches for a woman's strength to overcome domestic abuse; to fight the solitude, fear and inner emptiness that often arise in this situation. Contrary to what the song title might suggest, "Abusar" lightens up the mood with expressions of patience and respect accompanied by music and rhythms that will have you swaying back and forth, willing to wait things out for an eternity. Guerra's talent for writing from multiple perspectives offers a profound connection to the human spirit. Add to all of this a collection of stunning musical arrangements that incorporate the melodic strumming of acoustic guitar, xylophone glissandos ("Abusar"), the twang of the dobro ("Tengo Frio") and a bass guitar pumping out rhythms as important to the tracks as the heart is to life, and you have a phenomenal album."
A MUST HAVE ALBUM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Music Maniac | USA | 06/12/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This is an awesome and well elaborated album. Every song has a different rhythm and different meaning. Also Ely Guerra's voice sounds so good that you will never get tired of listening to LOTOFIRE. I listen to this album all the time, and trust me.....everytime you listen to it you're going to like more and more. My favorite songs on this album are: Profundidad, Yo No, De La Calle, and Vete."
Track Listings (11) - Disc #1