Following the international acclaim of his debut album Autorretrato en Tres Colores, Dublin-based Venezuelan guitarist, composer and arranger Orlando Molina has released Antes, Siempre (Before, Always), a deeply personal recording that reimagines beloved Latin American songs through original duo arrangements for voice and nylon-string guitar.
Released on 29 May 2026, Antes, Siempre presents a different side of Molina's artistic voice. While his debut established him as a distinctive contemporary jazz composer and bandleader, this new recording turns towards the music that has long formed part of his cultural and personal heritage.
Across seven carefully crafted tracks, Molina revisits songs from Venezuela, Mexico and Brazil, creating arrangements that balance preservation with reinvention. Familiar melodies are transformed through contemporary harmony, rhythmic sophistication and an expansive approach to the guitar that allows the instrument to function simultaneously as accompaniment, dialogue and orchestral texture.
Rather than simply revisiting traditional repertoire, Antes, Siempre explores the emotional landscapes contained within songs that have been woven into everyday life across Latin America for generations. The result is a recording that honours these musical traditions while revealing new colours and perspectives within them.
Joining Molina on the album are three outstanding vocalists whose performances bring distinct character and authenticity to the repertoire. Mexican vocalist Alicia García, Argentine vocalist Gustavo Ecclesia and Brazilian vocalist Edi Nunes each contribute interpretations shaped by their own cultural perspectives, creating a rich dialogue between voice and guitar throughout the recording.
Performed entirely in a duo setting, the album embraces a minimalist aesthetic that places emphasis on musical interaction, interpretive nuance and spontaneous communication. Molina's guitar work moves fluidly between accompaniment and improvisation, drawing on a highly developed harmonic language while maintaining a strong connection to the emotional core of each song.
The repertoire includes works by José Alfredo Jiménez, Ivan Lins, Paulinho da Viola, Henry Martínez, Armando Molero, José Sifontes and Quirino Mendoza y Cortés, composers whose music continues to hold an important place within Latin American musical culture.
The release follows a remarkable year for Molina. His 2025 debut album Autorretrato en Tres Colores received praise from international publications including Jazzwise and All About Jazz, with the latter describing his playing as "virtuosity in service of feeling, not display." The album was subsequently recognised in Ireland as Jazz Album of the Year 2025.
Produced by Orlando Molina, Antes, Siempre was mixed by Darío Peñaloza and mastered by Jesús Jiménez.
Track Listing
- Cielito Lindo (Quirino Mendoza y Cortés) – featuring Alicia García
- Venme a Buscar (Henry Martínez) – featuring Gustavo Ecclesia
- Dança da Solidão (Paulinho da Viola) – featuring Edi Nunes
- Que Te Vaya Bonito (José Alfredo Jiménez) – featuring Alicia García
- Tu Boca (Armando Molero) – featuring Gustavo Ecclesia
- Anhelante (José Sifontes) – featuring Alicia García
- Madalena (Ivan Lins / Ronaldo Monteiro de Souza) – featuring Edi Nunes
For more information, visit Orlando Molina's website.
About Orlando Molina
Born in Venezuela with Chilean roots, Orlando Molina brings a rich and global perspective to his music. Now based in Ireland for over a decade, his career has seen him perform for President Michael D. Higgins and share stages with Wynton Marsalis, David Bisbal, Rubén Blades, and Gustavo Dudamel, among others. His style draws from jazz’s harmonic complexity, Latin America’s rhythmic pulse, and a lifetime of cross-cultural experiences.
As both a performer and composer, Molina’s work invites listeners into an authentic journey — one marked by adaptation, cultural fusion, and emotional honesty. With Autorretrato en Tres Colores, he offers his most personal work to date: a story not just of one artist, but of anyone who has ever left one home in search of another.
Antes, Siempre will be available digitally on all major streaming platforms from May 29, 2026.
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