Reflections-Facing South
Savant, 2025
9/10
Listen to Reflections-Facing South
Conrad Herwig, Eddie Palmieri and Luques Curtis come together for these rhythmic 9 tracks that emit flowing and timeless Latin jazz.
“Bianco’s Waltz” opens with Palmieri’s playful keys alongside Herwig’s soulful trombone in the warm climate, and “C’mon (Mi Guajira)” follows with Curtis’ frisky bass amid the rich keys and rich brass.
The title track and “Listen Lady” land in the middle. The former is a cozy moment thanks to the pretty piano and heartfelt trombone, while the latter comes with mystery and atmosphere via Palmieri’s moody piano and hazy horn.
Nearing the end, “Monica” showcases the meticulous bass amid the trio’s rich dynamics that are heartfelt, and “El Guerrero Solitario” exits with elegance and poeticism that occasionally gets a bit more firm, and really allows for Curtis’ bass acrobatics to shine.
Tragically, Palmieri passed away after this recording, and he leaves behind an unparalleled body of work in the area of jazz. Curtis and Herwig’s efforts here are nothing short of stunning, either, and it makes for plenty of rhythm, melodies and timelessness.
Travels well with: Conrad Herwig- The Latin Side Of McCoy Tyner; John Sturino- Blow Globe