Lucas Cantor, Mis Guitarras Review

Lucas Cantor is a 2x Emmy Award-winning composer for concerts, films, sports, and cartoons. He has worked in NBC’s music department for the Olympic Games in Salt Lake City, Athens, Torino, Beijing, Vancouver, London, Sochi, Rio, and Pyeong Chang. He won two Emmys for the Olympics (2008 and 2012). Lucas co-produced Lorde’s cover of Everybody Wants To Rule The World on the Hunger Games: Catching Fire soundtrack. He also writes music for DreamWorks Animation’s Spirit: Riding Free and Cannon Busters, both on Netflix. Cantor is an innovator using Artificial Intelligence and creativity; using AI, Cantor finished Schubert’s 8th Symphony (the unfinished symphony). The full symphony was premiered in London at Cadogan Hall. Cantor is now releasing a three-song EP of flamenco-inspired guitar music called Mis Guitarras.

Bottom Line: Cantor says, “The pieces were performed at my studio in Hollywood by a Puerto Rican Guitarist who overdubbed all the instruments on the tracks.” “Hablando Solo” has a call and response styled melody that develops into a driving flamenco feel. The acoustic guitars dance with authentic flamenco and Latin jazz rhythms and sonorities. Cantor’s writing is fluid and strikes a beautiful balance between lyrical and complex. The harmonized melodies also add to the rich orchestration. “Dark Whisper” starts with a beautifully written and performed palm-muted melody. The theme is developed with percussion and layering in of various guitar parts. Cantor’s is always adding and creating an exciting orchestration. “Flamenco Suite” is an energetic composition that flows through many feels and builds on the other two selections’ themes. Cantor is a composer with a firm grasp on form, style, balance, and melodic expression. That’s the short of it!