Pianist David Virelles mixes solo performances with group meetings as he teams with Roman Diaz and Nosotro Ensemble on this album. By himself, his touch is thoughtful, free and percussive as on “Lengua I,” “De Ida Y Vuelta I,” “De Cuando Era Chiquoita” and contemplative during “Dos.” With the Ensemble, you get strings, percussion, reeds and tribal vocals as on the earthy “Benkomo” and the world-wide and spacious “Tierra’ with flute and sax teaming with rumbling percussion. The contrast between group format and intimate lone instrument makes for an intriguing contrast of colors, with Virelles sounding at times like a one man band. Personal and yet public.
ECM Records