Olivia
Adhyaropa, 2023
8/10
The pianist, composer and music director Olivia Pérez-Collellmir is well versed in flamenco music, Latin jazz, Spanish folk traditions and classical music, and that’s all apparent across these 13 diverse songs that welcome 18 of today’s finest international artists.
“Promenade 1” opens the listen with Pérez-Collellmir’s soft piano, which segues into “Canco i Dansa IV”, where Aleix Tobias lively percussion guides the worldly rhythm and infectious energy.
Elsewhere, “ Combat del Somni” spotlights Judit Neddermann’s emotive singing that suits the dreamy keys and Naseem Alatrash’s stirring cello, while the swirling presence of “Le Tombeau de Couperin” benefits much from the intimate strings that are met with firm keys.
“Granada” and “Barcelona” are 2 deep tracks, where the former showcases Ismael Fernández and Sonia Olla’s inimitable Flamenco skills amid Amir Milstein’s animated flute, and the latter is populated by Loreto de Diego’s expressive pipes and the acrobatic keys that embrace some pop ideas, too.
Although this is a debut, Pérez-Collellmir brings a lifetime of experience to the affair, where a Berklee education and a history of playing piano that goes back to age 4 helps cultivate a very flourishing brand of world music.
Travels well with: Color As Time- Soma Schema; Kirsten Agresta-Copely- Aquamarine