Conversas

Keyboardist Emilio Solla continues on an ethnic world fusion path for this, his fourth album as a leader. Incorporated in the ensemble Afines, Solla directs a tightly knit unit with an affinity for tango and flamenco forms, but not beholden to them, adding jazz and Afro-Cuban flavorings. This is compelling music that respects tradition on many levels, merging cultures in a modern way with scintillating rhythmic backdrops under some extremely tuneful music. Tenor saxophonist and flutist Gorka Benitez is greatly responsible for the bright colors and fluid dynamics you hear, while secondarily, Carlos Morera on bandoneon keeps the South American-bred sounds in check and ever present. Mostly on acoustic piano but occasionally using the electric Fender Rhodes, Solla provides subtle underpinnings to his original music in tandem with bassist David Gonzalez that goes a long way towards a universally accessible style that has a foothold in many musical camps. Perhaps "Tango Changes," with its introductory village sounds and sharp accents, typifies what the group favors, and the danceable, seductive quasi-samba "Ugrix," titled in a paradox reversal of drummer David Xirgu's last name, might further identify a core sound for the group. But when one listens to the pianist and tenor saxophonist play "Bat Gorkaren" in similar fashion to John Coltrane's "After the Rain," or the beautiful solo piano waltz title track, one knows modern jazz has a strong influence on these musicians hearts. The solemn "El Ritmo" is a feature for Morera that sounds like "Autumn Leaves" falling in Buenos Aires, "Remain Alert" -- with additional percussionist Alex Tobias -- has the wooden density but lightness of solid white birch in a flute discourse from Benitez, while a more serene emotion comes to the forefront during the loose ballad "Recuerdos de Bohemia," hearkening back to the sleek but soulful tenor sax-shaded nuevo tango sound you expect. Only "No Simple Reason" strays a bit in a light pop vein with the singing of Xavier Casellas, and flute for opaque color. Conversas is an impressive recording, not perfect, but close to the kind of cosmopolitan appeal that listeners from any background or environment can fully appreciate and understand. ~ Michael G. Nastos|