A assessment of a progressive jazz album, and ideas on progressive jazz (what else?)

Right this moment I’m reviewing two items of music from the identical band, Cienfuegos, a 5 piece progressive jazz band based mostly in Guadalajara. They launch an album this 12 months, Viaje Adentro (Journey Inside) and a track, “Levitando” (Lifting), second track on the album, launched individually.  Each a should have’s for jazz followers.

Progressive jazz is an acquired style. It doesn’t comply with requirements rhythms (however generally makes use of them). Is commonly cerebral, and introduces notes and sounds made by band members utilizing their devices in methods not usually present in “pop” music.  The result’s music that’s usually mesmerizing and mental on the similar time – Viaje Adentro is  that in spades. It’s music you hearken to together with your thoughts and muscle tissues and ears – and someday with  them turned off so it’s the feeling and emotion that carries you.

Cienfuegos is made up of 5 very, very gifted musicians who create this mesmerizing and cerebral music: The group consists of Paco Pérez-Rul (Guitar), Chen Quintero  (Saxophone), Gilberto Ríos (double bass) and Esteban Zamora (drums), in addition to its first singer, Libni Casher.

In Viaje Adentro  these 5 individuals have created one thing distinctive. You may’t dance to it, however you may dream to it, and you’ll dream you’re dancing. And you may create your personal story to it. That’s as a result of Viaja Adentro is strictly what its title means – it’s a journey you are taking inside, studying the street indicators and following the landmarks that the songs carry you as they circulate into your ears and thru your cerebellum. It lets you create the journey, nevertheless it helps present you the paths.

And the paths range. “Entre Ruinas” exhibits you jungle paths; “Viaje Adentro” offers you landmarks in a classy metropolis; “La Sombra” allows you to dance via a backyard; “Expiral” and “Oleaje” take you thru film units, caves, laboratories. Every track is a unique journey in your inside, however because the gamers commerce off and harmonize they take you in, welcome you as greater than only a listener, however a fellow traveler.

Which brings me to “Levitando” the place you’re positively a fellow traveler.   Libni Casher, whose vocals assist energy all the songs, however as notes relatively than phrases, takes this to pop and rock territory (emphasised by a bit of guitar shredding by Paco Pérez-Rul). A unprecedented singer with exact vocal management who additionally information people and conventional Mexican songs like “La Llorona”, she  brings not solely goddess vitality to the music, however a brand new depth and vary that makes it shine and glitter. She is a current addition to the previously all instrumental group, and a transformative one.

As I mentioned above, trendy progressive jazz is an acquired style, one which I didn’t have till I moved to Mexico 4 years in the past. I used to be very lucky that quickly after shifting right here, I met Gilberto Rios, the double bass participant in Cienfuegos (and different bands), who helped me purchase that style.

Whether or not you have got acquired it or not, Viaje Adentro will tackle an unforgettable journey, and also you received’t even have to depart your earbuds.

Patrick O’Heffernan