Robi Draco Rosa's Mad Love Set for March 2 Release on Columbia Records

First New Album Since 1996 Features Collaborations with Van Dyke Parks, Rusty Anderson, George Noriega, and Walter Afanasieff

NYC and Los Angeles Showcases in January

PRNewswire
LOS ANGELES
12/01/2003

Columbia Records has announced that Mad Love, the eagerly awaited new album from Robi Draco Rosa, one of the most complex and intriguing personalities in popular music, is scheduled to hit stores on March 2. A collection of rock tracks and wildly romantic songs, Mad Love finds Rosa's vocal performances echoing the level of passion in the album's lyrical explorations of unrestrained sensuality, seduction, despair and other aspects of "mad love."

Rosa, renowned songwriter/producer who fronted Maggie's Dream, recorded several critically acclaimed albums and was named to Entertainment Weekly's Hot l00 List of the Entertainment Industry's Most Creative People, will be performing Mad Love in New York and Los Angeles showcases during the month of January.

Recorded in Rosa's Los Angeles Phantom Vox Studios, with additional sounds laid down in Brazil, Puerto Rico and Spain, Mad Love was produced in the most part by Rosa and George Noriega with Rosa and Walter Afanasieff co-producing two additional tracks. The legendary Van Dyke Parks created the string arrangements.

Stories about the recording of Mad Love abound. During one wild session, a group of Spanish gypsies -- fueled by a smoke filled room and wine -- stayed 'til the wee hours contributing unscripted guitars, vocals and percussive sounds to the mix.

Rosa wrote or co-wrote all the songs on Mad Love, collaborating on various tracks with George Noriega, Luis Gomez Escolar, Parthenon Huxley, Rusty Anderson, Ital Shur, Walter Afanasieff and Billy Mann. One of the songs on Mad Love is in Spanish.

Rosa built the Phantom Vox recording complex in West Hollywood so he could record when the spirit moved him. It's a rich and moody environment where his passion for vintage instruments, old world decoration and surf culture all come together.

Rosa, whose roots are Puerto Rican, grew up in suburban Long Island. Moving back to Puerto Rico while still a youngster, he became a member of the fabled Menudo at the age of 12. While in his early 20s, he fronted the band Maggie's Dream and proceeded to release a series of solo albums -- Frio (1994), Vagabundo (1996), Songbirds & Roosters (English Version) (1998) and Libertad del Alma (2001) -- that were visionary works of Spanglish rock. Spin magazine said of Rosa's second release, a moody metallic clash of guitars streaked with dark poetry," ... like Axis-era Hendrix, Vagabundo reassures as much as it disturbs." Rosa co-wrote and co-produced many of Ricky Martin's biggest hits including "Maria," "Livin' la Vida Loca" and "La Copa de la Vida."

For photos of Robi Draco Rosa

http://www.dbaronmedia.com/gallery.cfm?artistid=1&artist_name=Robi

SOURCE: Columbia Records

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