(Leonid Auskern - Jazz Squad - RUSSIA)
https://jazzquad.ru/index.pl?act=PRODUCT&id=4367
February 26, 2016

Press & Reviews

(Michael Doherty - USA)
http://michaelsmusiclog.blogspot.com/2016/02/cristian-perez-anima-mundi-2016-cd.html
February 14, 2016

(Alexander Schmitz - Jazz Podium - GERMANY)
April 2016

Vintage Guitar Magazine - USA
April 2016

(Vittorio - Music Zoom - ITALY)
http://www.musiczoom.it/?p=25239#.XPf25C-ZPUJ
February 14, 2016

Interview by RETRO - Seoul (KOREA)
October 2016

The Argentinian guitarist Cristian Perez makes a music that involves world music and puts them together in search of an universal language. At the base there is his culture derived from studies on classical guitar, but also studies in the USA, among others, with Mike Stern. The disc accompanying compatriot, amazing accordionist, Emmanuel Trifilio, together with the Bulgarian flautist Yana Hristova, Daniel Brown on bass and Joe McCarthy and Brazilian Bruno Lucini which alternate behind the drums from one song to another. And then several guests among which are: Devree Lewis on cello on "Relentless Dragon in Agony". Among the pieces chosen is the famous jazz standard "Moon River" sang by singer Lynn Veronneau, in an original way and the 'appearance with the world's leading acoustic guitar and percussion in the background. "Journey of an Exhausted Pinguin" where you listen to a mandolin and the accordion by Trifilio straight out of an Italian jazz record for the Aegean and the Astor Piazzolla's tango. The famous Libertango is played on electric guitar with a very personal vision.

It is one of the best moments of the album for the approach so unique to the music of his homeland, even here Trifilio does its part in the best way, but it is the solo leader who amazes us. How you can use the tool on an all electric guitar song to manifest other atmospheres. Other INTERESTING songs are "The Persistent Elephant" for the intervention of the flute quite aggressive Hristova and the use of tablas Haroon Alam, then the dreamy "Longing", performed by the quartet without accordionist, with an extraordinary intervention of the bassist and leader, switches to electric guitar. The final" Footprints in the Wind" still evokes dreamy atmospheres and freedom landscapes highlighted by 'ethereal flute and accordion. Overall a disc which has succeeded in creating a world in which music is a common thread between the music of half the world.

(Mike Greenblatt - CLASSICALITE - USA)
http://www.classicalite.com/articles/40089/20160330/blogarrhea-melissa-aldana-jon-stickley-cristian-perez-bastian-stein.htm
March 30, 2016

(George W. Harris - Jazz Weekly - USA)
http://www.jazzweekly.com/2016/05/cristian-perez-anima-mundi/
May 5, 2016

“The Soul of the Universe” –this is what Argentinian guitarist, Cristian Perez, named his album. The name comes from ancient Latin which referred to a concept of certain metaphysical force connecting all living beings on the planet into one whole. Indeed, listening to this CD, one becomes convinced that the name Perez has chosen to reflect his new work is quite fitting.

Each track takes you around the world where you are left fascinated by the beauty and the diversity of our planet. The opening track of the album is a version of a well-known composition, “El Condor Pasa”, based on the Andes folk melody and written by a Peruvian composer, Daniel Robles, in 1913. Many listeners would agree that the vocal version of this composition performed by Simon and Garfunkel remains to have a strong hold on us with its magical power and beauty. However, the instrumental version of Perez is undoubtedly good. The tracks that follow are original compositions by Perez filled with Indian (“The Persistent Elephant”), Japanese (“Longing”), and of course, most of all, well familiar to Cristian Perez Latin flavors. There is also one vocal track which is a rendition of a well-known jazz staple, “Moon River”, by Mancini and Mercer. Yet another track showcases a beautiful, in my opinion, version of one of the most known compositions by Astor Piazzolla, “Libertango”. True to his Argentinian roots, Cristian could not do without it in his panorama of the world. The last track of the album, “Footprints in the Wind”, was written by Perez together with one of his main partners in the album, a Bulgarian flutist, Yana Hristova.

Incidentally, the team of musicians who worked with Perez on Anima Mundi is as diverse in their ethnic backgrounds as the music roots of most of the album’s compositions. There is a bandoneon performed in almost every composition by Perez’s fellow-countryman, Emmanuel Trifilio. “Moon River” is performed by a Canadian vocalist, Lynn Veronneau, while one also hears tablas in “The Persistent Elephant” performed by an Indian musician, Haroon Aram. In “Hojas Podridas”, we hear steel pan performed by one of the masters of this Caribbean instrument, a Virginian Victor Provost. In addition, there is performance by a Brazilian drum player as well as several American artists. Many group members in this project, including Cristian Perez himself, presently reside in the United States. Yet, it does not preclude these musicians from preserving their ethnic identities or conveying their vision of beauty and unity of the universe.

(Translated by Elina Guralnik)

An Argentinian who lives in the US, Cristian Perez came to classical guitar through Argentinian Rock when he was a teen. He studied with Berta Rojas, Mike Stern, Pepe Romero, Carlos Barbosa-Lima, Steve Herberman and many other guitar alumni. The young Cristian uses classical nylon strings (including the mandolin) to play just about anything that is possible to enhance with the strings - from classical music , Indian, Japanese to South American folk music. Perez’s collaborators on this album are Emmanuel Trifilio (bandoneon), Bruno Liucini (percussion), Yana Hristova (flute) and Kevin Elam (low whistle). Additionally, Lynn Veronneau (vocals) offers a willful and stunningly beautiful performance of Cristian’s version of “Moon River” which is the only vocal piece in addition to the nine instrumentals. How gently and cleverly Cristian twists “El condor pasa”; how he and the guest performer, Devree Lewis (cello) let the tango, “La flor que nunca te di” grow slowly like the said flower; how the Argentinian and
Haroon Alams (tablas) play out the bond between India and the Americas; how respectfully the band lifts Piazzolla’s “Libertango” from its timelessness into Cristian’s cosmopolitan world; or how he invokes pure happiness from just two chords in the “Journey of an exhausted penguin” just like a poem. It is a beautiful sonnet about the soul of the world through the eyes of Cristian Perez.

(Translated by Elina Guralnik)

Interview with Jamie Sandel from CapitolBop
https://www.capitalbop.com/cristian-perezs-musica-mundi-guitarist-with-a-global-appetite-shares-his-vision/
August 18, 2016

(Jon Sobel - USA)
https://blogcritics.org/music-review-indie-roundup-megan-slankard-escondido-cristian-perez/
March 22, 2016

Guitarist Cristian Perez’s new album Anima Mundi expresses a set of new-age/world-music with a jazz vocabulary. The result is an easygoing journey that veers between breezy thrills and sleepy driftwood. There’s energy in “Hojas Podridas,” driven by Victor Provost steel pan, and in the drama of the rhythmically bubbling, Middle Eastern-flavored “Relentless Dragon in Agony.” [cristian perez anima mundi] Haroon Alam’s energetic tablas and Yana Hristova’s acute piccolo egg on “The Persistent Elephant.” But then there’s the soporific “La Flor que Nunca Te Di” and “Journey of an Exhausted Penguin.” The soft “Longing” features fine work from bassist Daniel Brown. But the equally gentle “Luna Furtiva” swings frustratingly between muted tension and flat-footed languor.

The strength of Perez’s original takes on “El Condor Pasa” and Astor Piazzolla’s “Libertango,” the latter featuring Emmanual Trifilio’s bandoneón and a bracing electric guitar solo from Perez, and the café atmosphere of “Moon River,” with night-cool vocals from Lynn Veronneau and another melodically inspired solo from Perez, suggest that fewer original compositions and more covers would have made the album more consistently strong. The best of Anima Mundi is a well-played, worldly pleasure.

Article by Diario Opinión - Cochabamba (BOLIVIA)
May 15, 2017

"Anima Mundi is an impressive set by Cristian Perez, taking the listener on a variety of different musical journeys. This colorful program is well worth exploring."

Scott Yanow, Jazz journalist/historian
January 4, 2016

Cristian Perez is an accomplished guitarist from Buenos Aires, Argentina, now living in the United States. He applies classical and jazz influences and techniques to world music to create his own wonderful sound. His new CD, Anima Mundi, features mostly original material, along with a few interesting choices of covers. The Cristian Perez Quintet includes Yana Hristova on flute and piccolo, Emmanuel Trifilio on bandoneon, Daniel Brown on upright bass and Bruno Lucini on drums, and they all play on this release. Joe McCarthy plays drums on several tracks. Cristian Perez also has some special guests joining him on certain tracks. This is music that will take you on many interesting journeys, journeys certainly worth repeating.

The CD actually opens with one of its covers, a beautiful and fun rendition of “El Condor Pasa,” a song written by Daniel Robles and one that I basically only knew from Simon & Garfunkel’s version on the Bridge Over Troubled Water album, that version of course containing the English lyrics by Paul Simon. I always thought it was a beautiful song, and this instrumental version by Cristian Perez certainly captures the piece’s beauty. I love this track, and it has an uplifting quality. Yana Hristova’s work is particularly pretty and powerful. And of course there is some impressive work on guitar. Then four minutes in, there is a short bass solo followed by percussion, before the song moves into a more old-European feel for just a bit. And there is some more wonderful guitar work. What strikes me is the amount of joy in the playing, in the performance. There is a false ending, and then the tune goes in a more playful direction.

With “La Flor Que Nunca Te Di,” Cristian Perez creates a mellower, more relaxed, romantic yet introspective atmosphere. And then “The Persistent Elephant” has an exciting characteristic. There is a delightful and youthful sense of wonder and sense of adventure to the sound, and in the telling of this song’s story. And the world it creates for the listener is likewise exciting. Haroon Alam joins Cristian Perez on tablas on this track, giving it more of an Indian flavor. This is one of my favorite tracks. “Longing” goes in some surprising and wonderful directions, beginning almost tentatively and then adding this great, forceful sound and presence at moments. It is another favorite of mine.

“Relentless Dragon In Agony” is another interesting piece, at times delicate, at times pretty, at times sad, but all the while with an underlying strength. Devree Lewis plays cello on this track, an instrument I’m always happy to hear. By the way, Devree Lewis is also a member of Trifilio Tango Trio (along with bandoneon player Emmanuel Trifilio), as well as the Pan American Symphony Orchestra in Washington, D.C.

Perhaps the biggest surprise on this CD is Cristian Perez’s cover of “Moon River,” written by Henry Mancini and Johnny Mercer. Joining him on this track is vocalist Lynn Veronneau (of the group Veronneau), and this is the only track to include vocals. Kevin Elam provides some backing vocals. This is a sweet, almost magical rendition, and is totally enjoyable. Also enjoyable is the following track, an original piece titled “Hojas Podridas” which features Victor Provost on steel pan. The album’s final cover is a very cool rendition of Astor Piazzolla’s famous “Libertango,” featuring wonderful work by Yana Hristova on flute and, as you might expect, Emmanuel Trifilio on bandoneon. There is also a good drum solo by Joe McCarthy.

Guitarist Cristian Perez takes you on a wide variety of sonic journeys on this strong album that mixes jazz with a multitude of countries. He brings together a core team of Yana Hristova/fl-pic, Emmanuel Trifilio/band, Daniel Brown/b and Joe McCarthy-Bruno Lucini/dr to create sounds that include Peruvian as on “El Condor Pasa” to traditional Japanese Koto during “Longing.” Perez uses a wide swath of guitars to embody various moods, and with Haroon Alam’s tablas takes you to Central Asia on “The Persistant Elephant” before hopping over to Argentina for Astor Piazzola’s “Libertango.” Lynn Veronneau lends her lithe voice to a creative version of “Moon River” and rich and yearning strings create wonderful long shadows for Perez on “”Relentless Dragon In Agony.” A lot of care goes into each piece, and Perez knows when to step out in front and when to encourage from behind.

CRISTIAN PEREZ/Anima Mundi: How can you be an Argentinean guitarist that fuses jazz, world and local sounds in to your sound but still not be called a world/jazzer? Taking it somewhere else as his vibe is to celebrate the soul of the world, this cat's ears and fingers are not to be messed with or doubted. Like a Lindstad or a Liebert that knows how to put their restlessness to good use, the places Perez takes your ears are places they've only heard in dreams. Amazing stuff that treats Mancini, Piazzolla and Simon & Garfunkel all the same. A must hear for the armchair traveler/guitar fan. Well done. Haroon Alams (tablas) play out the bond between India and the Americas; how respectfully the band lifts Piazzolla’s “Libertango” from its timelessness into Cristian’s cosmopolitan world; or how he invokes pure happiness from just two chords in the “Journey of an exhausted penguin” just like a poem. It is a beautiful sonnet about the soul of the world through the eyes of Cristian Perez.

(Translated by Elina Guralnik)

Article by 4th Estate (GMU - USA)
January, 2015

Anima Mundi, the self-released musical travelogue by guitarist/composer Cristian Perez, takes you to Peru ("El Condor Pasa," written in 1913 by Daniel Robles), India ("The Persistent Elephant"), Japan ("Longing" and "Relentless Dragon In Agony"), the U.S. ("Journey of an Exhausted Penguin"), the moon ("Luna Furtiva"), Hollywood (Henry Mancini's "Moon River," written for the 1961 movie Breakfast At Tiffany's) , Uruguay ("Hojas Podridas") and Argentina (Astor Piazzolla's 1974 "Libertango"). Sumptuously supported by flute, piccolo, bandoneon, upright bass, drums, vocals, steel pan, cello, tablas and low whistle, Perez weaves his magic carpet ride so effortlessly, it makes you want to go ferret out more world musics...and I have a hunch that is exactly his mission.

Argentine Guitarist Cristian Perez composed all but four of the eleven compositions on Anima Mundi his latest release. The music is naturally vibrant. We enjoyed the peace and tranquility on "Journey of An Exhausted Penguin" and Cristian's fleeting flamenco on "Relentless Dragon In Agony". Lynn Veronneau adds vocals on "Moon River" and Victor Provost plays steel pans on "Hojas Podridas" imparting a festive feel. Perez's fretwork is flawless throughout the set notably on "Journey Of An Exhausted Penguin” resulting in a good performance.

Cristian Perez

RETRO - Seoul (KOREA)
October 2016

(CHRIS SPECTOR, Editor and Publisher, USA)
http://www.midwestrecord.com/MWR1051.html
February 7, 2016

(D. Oscar Groomes - O's Place Jazz Newsletter - USA)
http://www.OsPlaceJazz.com
July 23, 2016

El Pais - BOLIVIA
September 2016

Guitarist - Composer - Arranger - Educator