Here’s an successfully ambitious project by Fabian Almazon, who plays piano & electronics on his own arranged compositions. Along with a jazz team that includes Ronit Kirchman-Camila Meza/g, Linda Oh/b and Henry Cole/dr, she brings in a string section for added nuance and direction. For instance “Jambo” has some swirring Bartok movements along with added percussion from Yosvany Terry and Mauriciao Herra to create a traffic jam of world views, while graceful swaths surround Meza’s voice on the alluring title track. Fun pizzicato take place with “El Coqui’s Dream” and in contrast a climactic build up voice, piano and strings form a majestic “Hacia el Aire.” Some bluesy sounds with bass and Kitchman’s violin pack a whallop on “A New Child in a New Place” and the album closes with a yearn on the attractive “Sol del Mar.” Well conceived, delivered with a rare near perfect match of freedom and form. - George W. Harris / jazzweekley.com
Tracks
1. Rhizome
2. Jambo
3. Espejos
4. A New Child In A New Place
5. Hacia El Aire
6. The Elders
7. Stormy Weather
8. El Coquí's Dream
9. Sol Del Mar
HENRY COLE drums
LINDA OH double bass
RONIT KIRCHMAN acoustic and 7-string electric violin (4)
CAMILA MEZA acoustic & electric guitar, voice (1, 3, 5, 9)
FABIAN ALMAZAR piano, electronics
YOSVANY TERRY chekeré
MAURICIO HERRERA batá
SARA CASWELL violin I
TOMOKO OMURA violin II
KAREN WALTUCH viola
NOAH HOFFELD cello
Music composed and arranged by Fabian Almazan, except (6) by Wayne Shorter
ArtistShare – ASBN-0128