Los Angeles – Following a sold out concert at Glendale’s Alex Theater in July, singer-songwriter Sako continues to diversify, both in terms of creative output and live performances. The artist released his 11th album, Shall We Dance, in August, to instant popular acclaim. But perhaps what makes 2006 a standout year in Sako’s career is an expansion of performances beyond the concert stage, at sizeable private venues in and beyond Los Angeles.
“Sako’s popularity keeps growing in leaps and bounds,” said a representative of ME Productions. “While he continually develops his craft and puts out fresh material, his fans have been responding with requests for Sako’s appearance at special private events as well. This is a tremendously gratifying phenomenon to Sako, who above all cherishes being among his fans and working up a great bash.” Last year Sako released Live Dance Party, a double album of party tracks that went on to become a smash best-seller. Live Dance Party was a departure from Sako’s unique, intensely personal style, in that it presented an exuberant set of Armenian and world dance favorites, specifically aiming at a sound of abandon and celebration.
Live Dance Party resonated strongly with fans, who discovered a new side of the artist. While they were familiar with Sako’s dynamic stage persona and his ability to create a trance-like, groove-rich ambience, Live Dance Party showed that he could also put a distinctive twist on beloved dance numbers. The revelation was all the more significant because of the careful selection of the tracks on the double album and Sako’s uncompromising production values.
“This is what sets Sako apart, it’s what’s been key to his success” commented music promoter and talk show host Stepan Partamian. “A perfectionist to the core, he works extremely hard both in the recording studio and on stage. Whether he is exploring new territory in Armenian music or giving an original spin to popular dance songs, he treats his material with extraordinary care, calibrating it with a certain artistic daring.”
Sako’s arrival on the music scene in the 1990s marked a wholly novel approach to modern Armenian music. While many performers relied on covers of safe-bet popular songs and simply adapted them to trendy Western sounds, Sako crafted original material and powered them with an ultramodern sound all his own. His albums present well-balanced ensembles of beat-driven tunes and tender ballads, with a big, ambitious feel pervading his body of work. Sako has complemented his studio output with progressively elaborate concerts, bolstered by lush visuals, full bands and groups of dancers, and a signature performance style of great range.
“Sako’s popularity keeps growing in leaps and bounds,” said a representative of ME Productions. “While he continually develops his craft and puts out fresh material, his fans have been responding with requests for Sako’s appearance at special private events as well. This is a tremendously gratifying phenomenon to Sako, who above all cherishes being among his fans and working up a great bash.” Last year Sako released Live Dance Party, a double album of party tracks that went on to become a smash best-seller. Live Dance Party was a departure from Sako’s unique, intensely personal style, in that it presented an exuberant set of Armenian and world dance favorites, specifically aiming at a sound of abandon and celebration.
Live Dance Party resonated strongly with fans, who discovered a new side of the artist. While they were familiar with Sako’s dynamic stage persona and his ability to create a trance-like, groove-rich ambience, Live Dance Party showed that he could also put a distinctive twist on beloved dance numbers. The revelation was all the more significant because of the careful selection of the tracks on the double album and Sako’s uncompromising production values.
“This is what sets Sako apart, it’s what’s been key to his success” commented music promoter and talk show host Stepan Partamian. “A perfectionist to the core, he works extremely hard both in the recording studio and on stage. Whether he is exploring new territory in Armenian music or giving an original spin to popular dance songs, he treats his material with extraordinary care, calibrating it with a certain artistic daring.”
Sako’s arrival on the music scene in the 1990s marked a wholly novel approach to modern Armenian music. While many performers relied on covers of safe-bet popular songs and simply adapted them to trendy Western sounds, Sako crafted original material and powered them with an ultramodern sound all his own. His albums present well-balanced ensembles of beat-driven tunes and tender ballads, with a big, ambitious feel pervading his body of work. Sako has complemented his studio output with progressively elaborate concerts, bolstered by lush visuals, full bands and groups of dancers, and a signature performance style of great range.
