Derek Menchan is one of the most well-rounded musical talents I’ve had the opportunity to come across in recent times. His output is incredibly diverse, and every single time I get to listen to one of his songs, I am always pleasantly surprised at the fact that I never really know what to expect. Derek is the kind of artist who never settles into his comfort zone, and this new release is a really good taste of what I am talking about. The Incredible was actually published in 2020, a year that has certainly not been an easy one for artists everywhere. However, Derek never lost faith in his artistry, and continued to make amazing music that relates to the audience.
The album features 16 tracks. There is room for a wide array of styles. For instance, the opening track, “Every Day I Have the Blues” features a really cool Big Band sound, with big, bombastic drums and a nice arrangement filled with fantastic instruments. The track “In My Solitude” happens to be one of my favorite tracks on this release. It really makes me think of creative geniuses as diverse as Harry Belafonte and Elvis Presley, only to mention a few. The vocal arrangement is truly mesmerizing, and the old-fashioned approach to the melody is really endearing.
“Ramblin’ Rose” is another classic track, a timeless melody that has been performed with so much passion by Derek and a featured artist, Luisamaria Hermandez. “Tico Tico” is a really fun performances, which highlights the artist’s ability to harmonize and create some really fun and amazing vocals. Another highlight is definitely Derek’s take on “At Last." The original song was made famous by Etta James. I love how the song seems like it acquires a different vibe with deep male vocals as opposed to Etta James’ iconic vocal style. The rendition is a challenging one due to its association with the legendary singer, but Derek really managed to reinvent this song and bring his personality to the table. “Marlena” is also an amazing track, with a cool percussive arrangement and a nice, upbeat twist. There is also room for another classic: “What a Wonderful World.” This is a fresh take on a classic, and it’s always amazing to hear new versions of this amazing song.
The album features 16 tracks. There is room for a wide array of styles. For instance, the opening track, “Every Day I Have the Blues” features a really cool Big Band sound, with big, bombastic drums and a nice arrangement filled with fantastic instruments. The track “In My Solitude” happens to be one of my favorite tracks on this release. It really makes me think of creative geniuses as diverse as Harry Belafonte and Elvis Presley, only to mention a few. The vocal arrangement is truly mesmerizing, and the old-fashioned approach to the melody is really endearing.
“Ramblin’ Rose” is another classic track, a timeless melody that has been performed with so much passion by Derek and a featured artist, Luisamaria Hermandez. “Tico Tico” is a really fun performances, which highlights the artist’s ability to harmonize and create some really fun and amazing vocals. Another highlight is definitely Derek’s take on “At Last." The original song was made famous by Etta James. I love how the song seems like it acquires a different vibe with deep male vocals as opposed to Etta James’ iconic vocal style. The rendition is a challenging one due to its association with the legendary singer, but Derek really managed to reinvent this song and bring his personality to the table. “Marlena” is also an amazing track, with a cool percussive arrangement and a nice, upbeat twist. There is also room for another classic: “What a Wonderful World.” This is a fresh take on a classic, and it’s always amazing to hear new versions of this amazing song.
