For those still unaware, Latin jazz guitarist Juan Carlos Quintero considered the music that makes up his new album, The Story of Love, his “parents’ music” growing up. Now, his 13th album, out now on Moondo Music (BFD/The Orchard), Quintero and his quartet bring new life to those romantic Latin classics from the 1950s and 60s.

“As the concept for this project evolved, I found myself drawn to music I experienced as a kid, hearing the melodies emanating from my parents’ stereo. Back then, I wasn’t really paying attention as my focus was on trying to cop solos by Jimmy Page and Jeff Beck. Decades later, I’m gathering music I want to record, and once again, it all points to my parents’ ear for melody and good taste. These songs are primarily built on romantic themes, and the album serves as a beautiful soundtrack to their story; it’s the story of love,” said the Medellin, Colombian-born Quintero.

Playing with a lyrical electric guitar touch that balances fiery intensity and poetic gentility, Quintero co-produced The Story of Love with Guillermo Guzmán. The album serves lush melodies atop lavish layers of hypnotic rhythms.

Quintero recorded and arranged the project with his quartet: Eddie Resto (upright bass), Aaron Serfaty (drums, percussion), Joey Deleon (percussion), and Joe Rotondi (acoustic piano). GRAMMY® nominated flutist and clarinetist Justo Almario and GRAMMY® nominated percussionist Luis Conte are each featured on three tracks.

1. “Poodle Mambo” (feat. Justo Almario)
2. “Poinciana”
3. “Softly As In A Morning Sunrise”
4. “Corcovado (Quiet Nights of Quiet Stars)”
5. “The Moon Was Yellow (and The Night Was Young)” (feat. Luis Conte)
6. “Cuban Love Song” (feat. Justo Almario)
7. “Tres Palabras” (feat. Luis Conte)
8. “Yours (Quiéreme Mucho)” (feat. Luis Conte)
9. “The Story Of Love (Historia De Un Amor)” (feat. Justo Almario)

With love as his muse, Quintero hopes diverse audiences will be seduced by The Story of Love’s tantalizing bouquet of Latin music and culture, and thusly opens his new recording on the emotively sculpted “Poodle Mambo” featuring Justo Almario and then we get gifted the smoothly alluring “Poinciana,” the more robust fare of “Softly As In A Morning Sunrise,” before the veritably glistening “Corcovado (Quiet Nights of Quiet Stars)” is brought forth.

Along next are the harmonically all-embracing, gentle dancefloor swirls and twirls of “The Moon Was Yellow (and The Night Was Young)” (featuring Luis Conte) and that is backed seamlessly by the impassioned “Cuban Love Song” (featuring Justo Almario), the deeply affecting “Tres Palabras” (featuring Luis Conte), the set rounding out on the free-flowing musical majesties of “Yours (Quiéreme Mucho)” (featuring Luis Conte), coming to a close on the laid low balladry of the beautiful title track “The Story Of Love (Historia De Un Amor)” (featuring Justo Almario).

Official Purchase Links

www.juancarlosquintero.com