Continuum

DAVID VIRELLES: Continuum
Pi, 2012

POSTMODERN JAZZ – Dark-toned, brilliant music. This fascinating young pianist from Cuba (by way of Canada) finds common ground between improvisational jazz and Afro-Cuban ritual. His band includes the great avant-garde drummer Andrew Cyrille and poet/percussionist Román Díaz. Heady stuff, reminds me somewhat of Omar Sosa.

All great. Fo’s Picks: 2, 3, 6, 7, 9

1. 3:26 – dramatic percussion, mysterious pump organ, ritual invocation
2. 3:16 – slow & dark: refracted piano sneaks through sparse, abstract rhythm
3. 6:23 – forceful midtempo full of odd piano shadings; strong end with vocal
4. 2:04 – wandering piano, droning organ and complex, shapeless percussion
5. 1:47 – serene piano interlude with quiet bass/drum accents
6. 2:08 – very cool churning rhythm, aloof piano melody
7. 7:50 – meditative intro w/spoken word, blooms into spiritual free-jazz septet
8. 1:19 – impressionist interlude for solo piano
9. 2:42 – comes together gradually, free piano over a quick stick rhythm
10. 5:05 – slow, stately movement: a tone poem in gentle abstraction
11. 3:49 – mysterious organ & drums, a sort of space-fusion feel
12. 1:55 – slow processional with spoken word and jangly percussion

[ Fo ] - 26 January 2013