Mi Hogar
Outside In, 2023
8/10
The Canadian trumpet and flugelhorn player Rachel Therrien brings her worldly vision to an ensemble of players from New York, Canada, Cuba, Venezuela and Puerto Rico for these lively and charming 7 tracks.
“Capricho Arabe” starts the listen with Alex Bellagrade’s playfully plucked bass, as Therrien’s soulful trumpet enters the initially calm delivery that welcomes Melissa Lavergne’s well timed congas and bursts into a busy, rhythmic, dance friendly display.
“Moment’s Notice” is then populated by Julian Gutierrez’s agile piano, Lararo Martinez’s upbeat congas and, of course, Therrien’s expressive horn, while “The Wizard” moves slowly, intimately, and benefits from Roman Filiu’s radiant sax, Gabriel Chakarji’s eloquent keys and meticulous trumpet from Therrien.
On the back half, “Con Alma” showcases Manuel Valera’s moody keys, John Benitez’s animated bass and Keisel Jimenez’s swift congas, and “Porcelanosa” exits with a lively, festive blend of Luis Izquierdo’s bass, Willy Soto Barreto’s piano, Nestor Rodriguez’s sax, and, most definitely, the star of the show, the very adaptable trumpet from Therrien.
A multi-faceted listening experience that represents all the places Therrien has lived and studied, this is a very ambitious, exciting and memorable body of work from the Juno Nominated artist.
Travels well with: Jesse Davis- Live At Smalls Jazz Club; Tyler Mitchell Octet- Sun Ra’s Journey