Eduardo Arias (Grupo Semana music
journalist): Sergio Vélez has always
been an excellent musician. When he was
a student at Colegio Helvetia, he was
already well-known for his ability to
play guitar. So I wasn’t really
surprised to see him years later (20?
25?) leading symphonic orchestras in
paying tribute to the Beatles and Elton
John…
This CD reflects the musical influences
that have left their mark on him since
the long ago years of the 1970’s—I say
“some” because Sergio Vélez always loved
heavy rock, those pre-metal guitar licks
of Jimmy Page, and Eric Clapton with
Cream. Those influences don’t really
appear on the Fruit of my Imagination.
What appear here are themes with
harmonic structures reminiscent of Elton
John, piano intros that evoke Genesis’
“A Trick of the Tail” and the occasional
light whiff of Queen.
But Sergio Vélez does not, by any means,
plagiarize the above-mentioned artists.
His songs are original and, above all,
contemporary, in spite if their
influences. In addition, he brings in
South American sounds and rhythmic
touches—subtle, to be sure, as Vélez is
not interested in riding the currently
fashionable train of fusions with
folkloric music or salsa. He just
doesn’t feel style, which is why this
record sounds different and at the same
time, honest. It is a carefully crafted
record, one can hear the work that went
into the arrangements in search of each
sound, each stroke. In addition to being
a very good singer, guitarist and
pianist, Vélez surrounded himself with a
group of musicians and singers that lend
even more weight to his work.
"I felt like I was going “back to the future”
Camilo Vásquez, Guitarrist.
"This is a voice with a body and color. Pink Floyd,
Elton John, Supertramp and Queen are all here in the
front row. The panorama, the musicians, the arrangements
and the production capture the listener with the passion
that is implicit in the work".
Ana María González,Singer.
"Hey man—you’re not going to believe what they’ve done
in Colombia!"
Orlando Barreda ¨Batanga¨, composer /fluegelhorn
and trumpet player.
Toño Castillo, Producer: This album
was a tremendous challenge for me.
Producing symphonic rock—in English—in
Colombia was a real challenge for all of
us. This album shows the world that here
in Colombia we can produce music to
compete on the international stage. This
is one of the best things I’ve ever
produced.
Camilo Vasquez, guitar player: I
felt like I was going “back to the
future”
Ana
María Gonzalez, singer: This is a
voice with a body and color. Pink Floyd,
Elton John, Supertramp and Queen are all
here in the front row. The panaorama,
the musicians, the arrangements and the
production capture the listener with the
passion that is implicit in the work.
Orlando Barrera "Batanga", flugerhorn
& trumpet player: Hey man—you’re not
going to believe what they’ve done in
Colombia!
Paul Rodríguez, bass player: It
was very cool to do this album. In
Colombia the music scene is very
“Tropical-pop” and Reggaeton, so working
on this kind of 80’s style music in
English was really great—very refreshing.
I’m very happy with what we’ve done.
His strongest influences are the guitar
heroes of the 70’s and 80’s as well as
the most important British symphonic
rock groups and pure American rock and
roll. He is a pure rock fan…
Ray Mc Grath. Consul General from
United States in Colombia .We
enjoyed so much watching this project
from start to finish and meeting so many
of these musicians and singers.
Congratulations to Sergio and thanks for
the great music. It will be the vehicle
that always brings us back to these
happy times and close friends.
Geoffrey Bogart, Commercial attache
United states Embassy in Colombia:
We love the high energy, eclectic
approach to classic progressive rock.
Truly unique!!!
