Album review: Gonzalo Rubalcaba - Borrowed Roses

Gonzalo Rubalcaba (solo piano)

Although this is Cuban born Rubalcaba's third solo piano album, I have to hold my hand up and confess that his earlier work had passed me by. This, despite his many awards and Grammy nominations. To rub further salt into my wounds he has received accolades from such as Sir Simon Rattle, Dizzy Gillespie and Charlie Haden among others. What was I doing whilst all this was happening? Probably listening to some trad band in a local boozer!

Nevertheless, despite including Summertime - when in doubt throw in that overworked  warhorse - this album makes me realise what I've been missing. Rubalcaba proves to be an interesting player with a strong harmonic sense and no lack of technique and imagination when exploring a song's possibilities.

The material is as sound as a Cuban peso and his roses are borrowed from the best viz: Ellington (In a Sentimental Mood); Strayhorn (Chelsea Bridge, Lush Life); Gershwin (Summertime, Someone to Watch Over me, Do it Again); Desmond (Take Five); Lennon/McCartney (Here, There and Everywhere); Corea (Windows); Porter (Night and Day); Evans (Very Early); Sting (Shape of my Heart).

It's impeccably played, surprisingly without any obvious Cuban/Latin inflections but none the worse for that. The feeling leans towards such contemporary players as Bill Evans or Chick Corea. He doesn't actually sound like either of them but their presence is felt. It's as if they were looking down from above and sending musical messages that he's absorbing into his own jazz journey. It's a dreamlike exploration but not one to send you to sleep. Rather it's one to luxuriate in and enjoy the musical scenery along the way. Check him out HERE. Lance