Aire De Agua
Out Of Your Head, 2021
8/10
The young saxophonist and composer David Leon makes quite an impression on this debut album, where Sonya Belaya’s piano, Florian Herzog’s bass and Stephen Boegehold’s drums appear across the very exploratory jazz and avant-garde experience.
“Strange And Charmed” starts the listen with bright saxophone and jumpy keys as a very curious brand of free jazz unfolds, and “Horrible, Horrible Service” follows with some cultured nods as Herzog’s bass really shines in the upbeat and flowing delivery.
Packed into the middle is the mesmerizing and dynamic title track, where ebbs of intimacy enter the album highlight, while the swift, bop friendly fun of “First You Must Learn The Grip” exhibits Leon’s charming sax work that manipulates the mood alongside Belaya’s agile piano.
Approaching the end, “Expressive Jargon II” emits a fun call and response between the keys and sax, often resonating with a bare intimacy, and “Bluest Blue” exits the listen with a pulsating quality as a hypnotic and cautious demeanor enters the skilled interplay between the band.
Leon’s alto saxophone prowess is quite exciting here, and with the help of the esteemed players on hand, his unique energy and atypical jazz formula is off to a great start.
Travels well with: Curt Sydnor- Deep End Shallow; Michael And Peter Formanek- Dyads