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.
Blue Note Records/ArtistShare