Dino
Saluzzi (bandoneon); Jose Maria Saluzzi (classical and requinto
guitars); Nicolas “Colacho” Brizuela (classical guitar); Felix
“Cuchara” Saluzzi (tenor saxophone, clarinet); Matias Saluzzi
(electric bass, double bass); Quintino Cinalli (drums, percussion).
(Review
by Hugh Cochrane).
It
was during the recent
visit of MP Chi Onwurah to the Globe that Lance approached me and
asked me if I would like to review some CDs. “Er, well...”, I
replied. “What do you like?” asked Lance. “Most things”, I
replied - “ECM?” suggested Lance, and handed me a package
containing two CDs in the iconic black and white livery of the label.
ECM
have made it a trademark to put together artists signed to the label
who are from different musical genres. I was already familiar with
some of the output by Dino Saluzzi in collaboration with Anja Lechner
– a classical cellist. In this work however we find him on home
territory with his “family” band – their first such album since
Juan Condori in 2006.
Saluzzi
derives from North Argentina
and this music captures the essence and spirit of this region. The
disc exudes atmosphere, indeed Saluzzi is not interested in
virtuosity for its own sake but invites the listener to let their
imagination travel, with the music, to some different times and
places. One does feel drawn into the Argentinian countryside.
Saluzzi emphasises that, although the music is composed
(predominantly by Dino himself), it is continually evolving and is
not necessarily played the same way on each occasion.
There
are eight tracks on the album, four of which are divided into two or
more parts. The first track Sombras (darkness) sets the
scene. The disc then takes us on a tour of the territories, expressed
as a series of suites: La Polvadera to Pueblo. At
this point we are introduced to the artists father and son (A mi
Padre y a mi Hijo). We then progress on to Churqui and
Urkupina. The mood remains generally contemplative, evocative
of stifling summer heat, where the best plan is to sit around in the
shade jamming over a cool beer. Its now time to join the party in La
Fiesta Popular, where the mood
hots up, just a little, but never too much. The final track, Tiempos
Primeros, is in a similar vein
and nicely concludes the journey. We feel exhilarated, and a little
tired, but not exhausted.
Lovers
of tango and Argentinian music in general will love this disc. Is
this jazz? – well, probably not, but it certainly carries some of
the spirit of the oeuvre. Jazz lovers will, I'm sure, find much to
delight the ear.
Hugh C.
ECM.
Catalogue No. 7700323 available now.
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