Inspired by a genre that is dominated by beat and club aesthetics, but lacking in musical sophistication, Matt and Jez pooled their wealth of musical expertise to start The Latin Project. "We wanted to blend some of our favorite established Latin musicians with the most up-to-date electronic production," says Jez. "We've always been fans of Latin music," adds Matt. "Not just restricted to the dance floor, but crossing over to something you can listen to at home as well as dance to: a contemporary record with songs and performances. We tried to do something with all those elements."
Meeting in 1996, Jez and Matt started working on The Latin Project in 1998. Both co-produced and wrote material for the project, with Matt adding keyboards and drums. A multi-talented musician, producer, writer, remixer and programmer, Jez co-founded in 1993 the groundbreaking acid jazz group The Solsonics for whom he played bass. In 1995, the Solsonics hit the road as a supporting act on the Queen Latifah tour with the Fugees, thus giving Jez the opportunity to hone his live performance skills and showcase his talents to a broader audience. After they disbanded in 1997, Jez relocated to Los Angeles and turned his attentions studio-ward. Among his credits are remixes for Maxwell, Sade, Stevie Wonder and Bjork, as well as programming on the current project for William Orbit (of Madonna's Ray Of Light fame).
Living in London, Matt has been working under the guise of Outside, producing five albums on UK label Dorado Records. His standout single "To Forgive But Not Forget"--affectionately known as "the jungle track with the mad violin," a mini-anthem of sorts--has been featured on numerous compilations. Additionally, he has worked on all D*Note albums, co-produced and written for forward-thinking jazz greats Incognito on their new album, which also boasts India Arie, Paul Weller and Terry Callier. Matt recently completed a Southeast Asian tour with Incognito and a worldwide trek with David Sylvian.
The collaboration that grew into Nueva Musica began initially with Brazilian multi-instrumentalist/vocalist Junno Homrich (whose credits include the Emerald Forest soundtrack) and another Brazilian singer, Katia Moraes, of the band Sambaguru. The first Latin Project single "En Fuego"--a UK garage inspired flamenco styled number, part Basement Jaxx, part Gypsy Kings, with a remix from Nickodemus and Osiris--was released on Giant Step Records summer of 2001 to enthusiastic response. Encouraged by the interest "En Fuego" had created, Jez and Matt began pursuing the idea of a full-length Latin Project album. Over three years of international travel between Los Angeles, London and Rio resulted in a deeply personal expression of The Latin Project's attempt to explore the limits of Latin-based music.
From his previous endeavors, Jez feels he has brought "a true sense of how to incorporate programmed and computer-based music with live musicianship" to The Latin Project. From fiery percussion, keyboard solos, flavorful guitars, joyful trumpets to sub-bass and hard-as-nails beats, these ingredients create the structure for a myriad of styles that incorporate everything from nu-jazz to broken beat, downtempo, dub and ambient moods, all sifted through a Latin-inspired filter. "Nueva Musica surpassed what we had originally set out to do," says Jez. "Initially we had one or two collaborators. We ended up working with a more eclectic and wider base of talent that we ever thought possible. It evolved into something that was more worldly than we had planned, much to the benefit of the project."
Jez and Matt selected collaborators for Nueva Musica carefully and thoughtfully; among these are Freddie Crespo, erstwhile percussionist and vocalist for Tito Puente, on "Lei Lo Lai," which also features Robbie Nevil's inimitable guitar touch. Marc Antione, a master of the Flamenco guitar, plays on "En Fuego." Virgel, a West Indian via Paris vocalist/percussionist sings on "Universal" and "Brazilian Love Affair," the latter a cover of a 1980 George Duke tune, which features him and Katia in improvisational mode. He and Katia reunite again on songs "Clouds," a journey from a rainforest to the Carnival and "Sonhando" (translated to "dreaming" in Portuguese). Peruvian singer Violetta Villacorta's haunting vocals permeate "Estoy," bolstered by the dub-heavy effects of Andreas Allen. Additionally, Terence Trent D'Arby, under the guise of Sananda (Jez mixed and did production for his current album, Wildcard), collaborated in the writing of the track "Windows," a dance cut featuring a piano montuno. Nueva Musica ends on the spiritual high of "Rio Negro," a voyage of discovery down the "Black River."
"It's probably better now than at conception," states Matt. "We weren;t taking it quite so seriously then--there was just tracks that came together. Now we can say we did a record and we're pretty pleased with it."
Universal
The Latin Project Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Mencoba. Lupakan dirimu masa lalu
Terdiam ku mencoba melupakan masa lalu dan juga dirimu
Ku tak berharap lagi padamu
Yang mencoba Membunuh diriku
Lirik by musikindonesia.mywapblog.com
Kau Hempaskan diriku
Kau musnahkan harapku
Menyakitiku
Kau hancurkam mimpiku
Tak kau sadari
Dan Hidupku tak berarti lagi
Terdiam ku mencoba melupakan masa lalu dan juga dirimu
Ku tak berharap lagi padamu
Yang mencoba Membunuh diriku
Kau Hempaskan diriku
Melukaiku
Kau musnahkan harapku
Menyakitiku
Kau hancurkam mimpiku
Tak kau sadari
Dan Hidupku tak berarti lagi
Dan Hidupku Tak bearti lagi
The lyrics of The Latin Project's song Universal are full of emotion and pain. The singer is trying to forget the past and move on from the person who hurt them. They are still struggling to let go and have been hurt deeply by this person. The chorus repeats the idea of being hurt and having their hope and dreams crushed by this person. The final line of the song, "Dan Hidupku Tak Berarti Lagi" translates to "And my life no longer has meaning."
The lyrics suggest a feeling of despair and hopelessness. The singer has tried to forget and move on, but the pain is too much to bear. The person they are trying to forget has hurt them deeply, causing them to feel like their life is meaningless. The repetition of lines in the chorus emphasizes just how much pain the singer is feeling. The lyrics also suggest a sense of betrayal, as if this person they trusted has not only hurt them but also destroyed their dreams and hopes for the future.
Overall, the lyrics to The Latin Project's song Universal express a deep sense of pain and despair. The singer is trying to move on from someone who has hurt them deeply, but the pain is too much to bear, leaving them feeling hopeless and like their life has lost its meaning.
Line by Line Meaning
Terdiam. Lepaskan benakku karnamu
I am silent. Letting go of my mind and body.
Mencoba. Lupakan dirimu masa lalu
I am trying to forget about you and the past.
Terdiam ku mencoba melupakan masa lalu dan juga dirimu
I am silent and trying to forget both the past and you.
Ku tak berharap lagi padamu
I no longer have hope in you.
Yang mencoba Membunuh diriku
You are the one trying to kill me.
Kau Hempaskan diriku
Melukaiku
Kau musnahkan harapku
Menyakitiku
Kau hancurkam mimpiku
Tak kau sadari
Dan Hidupku tak berarti lagi
You threw me down, hurt me, destroyed my hope and dreams, caused me pain, and didn't realize that my life doesn't matter anymore.
Dan Hidupku Tak berarti lagi
And my life is meaningless now.
Writer(s): MATTHEW COOPER, JEZ COLIN
Contributed by Charlie A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.