Mestizx
International Anthem, 2024
9/10
A debut of post-genre, de-colonial, Latinx sounds, Ibelisse Guardia Ferragutti and Frank Rosaly bring their distinct talents to this highly unclassifiable body of work.
“INVOCAÇÃO” starts with Ferragutti’s expressive voice alongside Chris Doyle’s mesmerizing keys and Rosaly’s many percussive ideas for a dreamy ambience, and “DESTEJER” follows with Ben LaMar Gay’s cornet, Bob Frye’s flute and Matt Lux’s electric bass that helps cultivate an atypical version of chamber sounds.
The title track arrives in the middle and comes with a richness that’s stirring and thoughtful, as Bill MacKay’s guitar suits the duo’s mesmerizing formula, while “BLESS THEE MUNDANE” is anything but ordinary via Viktor Le Givens’ voice message and Rosaly’s drums, drum machine programming, synth and guiro.
Close to the end, “WRITING THE KNOTS” places Avreeayl Ra on drums and Ferragutti handles vocals, farfisa, lap harp, prophet and bells for an unconventional sort of droning, and “SIRINUS” exits with Fredy Velásquez’s contributions on harmonica, Awa vocalizations, chacapa, and percussion that continues to defy and impress.
A truly iconoclastic outing, there’s certainly jazz, no wave and psychedelic stabs to be enjoyed here, as Ferragutti and Rosaly turn in a protest album of the highest creativity that emits an indelible impact.
Travels well with: Orquesta Akokán- Caracoles; Jeremy Gignoux- Odd Stillness