Ronroco Dreaming is a rich acoustic tapestry bursting with Latin textures, vibrant percussive rhythms and bittersweet melodies. Each track is layered with melodic depth, inviting the listener to sit, listen and let the mind revel in its exotic tones and textures. Ronroco Dreaming showcases the talents of award-winning Australian composer, producer and instrumentalist Luke Gartner-Brereton. The album also features the Bolivian/Andean Ronroco, a ten-stringed instrument from the lute family. Cousin to the Charango (a smaller instrument whose rounded body was traditionally built from the shell of an armadillo) the Ronroco is a ten stringed instrument (5 pairs of 2 strings) which produces a warm, mellow tone that sits beneath and between the mandolin and ukulele.

12. Ronroco Dreaming - Lunar Grief

Hold On We're Going Home

I was off to Spain, Barcelona, for a few days and wanted to share this to get in the mood and let you experience a little with me. 

I dedicate this one to a great flamenco guitarist who sadly is no longer among us: Moraito Chico. I once owned a video of him playing a Bulerias, a festive and fast flamenco style, next to the barrels in a wine cellar, great acoustics and the scene completely enhanced the experience. Wonderful... Thanks to my friend Theo for finding and uploading this fantastic clip of Moraito: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cw8qO4BYIo0


I hope you like my little deviation from the traditional flamenco palo Bulerias: La Vieja Bodega de Vino. I gave it a go here, playing around with the rhythm by escaping in more lyrical passages only to return to the foundation of rhythm and patterns of the standard style again.

A little insight:
The Bulería or Bulerias, in plural, is a derivative style of the flamenco palo group of Soléa, sharing the same rhythmic pattern but much faster. The name Bulerias is probably derived from the Spanish word burlar, meaning "to mock", or bullería, meaning tumult or commotion. So, the bulería is a festive and optimistic palo, initially used in flamenco to round up songs in other styles, such as the Soléa or Alegrías as a kind of finale, increasing speed and enthusiasm. At the end of the 19th century it became so popular, it was developed into it's own style. In essence it is a 12 beat rhythm with accents on the 3,6,8, 10 and 12, it is accompanied by a very recognizable guitar pattern which is used by all flamenco players to start with, which then is used to deviate from in improvisation or in different developments. 
It is considered to be one of the most difficult flamenco styles, due to the virtuosity needed to just play the basic pattern at a fast tempo.

Guitar, hand clapping, percussion and music by Dan van den Berg, based on the basic flamenco palo of Bulerias.
Guitar: Marín, Modelo Estudio /9 Calidad, 1997, Malaga, Spain, flamenco guitar
Drum sample used from Sampletank
Mixed and mastered using Auria and Finaltouch for iPad
September 24, 2015


Bulerias - La Vieja Bodega De Vino | by Dan van den Berg

This melancholic piece is infused by one of the oldest and grandest of flamenco styles: the Soleá. As it turns out, as a style, it is less and less performed nowadays, nonetheless it is a beautiful and most lyrical type of music. I have always loved the renditions of the style by the great flamenco guitarists who have always used it as a vehicle for both lyrical ornamental lines and bursts of speed and rhythm.

The original rhythmic structure I use here is relatively slow paced which gives it room for harmonies to sing and linger. Also I tried to again shift in and out of the original form and harmonic structure as I like to do in most of my flamenco inspired pieces.

... This one is for my love, whom I've missed since she was traveling ...

I hope you will enjoy this melancholic piece of music and as always I very much appreciate your comments and likes...


All music, production, percussion arrangements and guitar by Dan van den Berg, December 28, 2015.
Guitar: Paulino Bernabe, Taller de Guitarras, Model-50, 2001, classical concert guitar.
Basic flamenco rhythm sample adapted and edited from: Flamenco Loops, Vol. 1, Estudio de Grabacion La lsla, 2012 La Voz del Flamenco.
Drum samples generated by using Sampletank.
Recorded and mixed in AURIA for iPad.

Photo taken by me in Maspalomas, Gran Canaria, Spain, December 2014.


The Ornament Of Solitude - Soleá | by Dan Van Den Berg

The song is about friendship
Buy here 
https://airhors-african-heritage.myshopify.com/products/x%C9%94l%C9%94%CC%83nye

Xɔlɔ̃nye

Nuwo dzɔ dzi nama ɖema eya hay ayay
Keme kpɔwa dzinye konu eya hay ayay
Senye kudo tɔwa dogo eya hay ayay
Dzidza kpɔ sitsoƒe le gbɔnye eya hay ayay
Vazɛ̃ gbɔnye ne mia ɖunu eya hay ayay
Nukunu xɔlɔ̃ yo nyi eya hay ayay
Huenyeme ba nyi tɔwa tɔwa eya hay ayay
Futɔ be ya le wa mava hɔnawo ma? hay ayay
Sikɔ tsiwa mazũ tɔgba nawo eya hay ayay
Emu ɖuwa muzũ mutike eya hay ayay
Otsi ama madawu nawa eya hay hay
Gbemenyawo tuwa mazũ tonawe senawe

Bridge

Tsale....
Xɔlɔ̃nye...
Xɔlɔ̃nye

(Thanks to Vanilla Groove Studios)

Xɔlɔ̃nye(My friend)

Luke Gartner-Brereton is a writer of fine songs, a fiddler of exotic instruments, a slicer of difficult onions. He lives in a closet under the staircase and composes amber melodies by the dim light of his one and only candle.

12. Ronroco Dreaming - Lunar Grief

Luke Gartner-Brereton

Related tracks