Contradictio
Origin, 2022
8/10
The Spain native Xose Miguélez brings his inimitable saxophone playing to this worldly listen, where Jean-Michel Pilc, Marcos Cavaleiro and Carlos Barretto are along for the occasion.
“Meniña” starts the listen with a traditional Galician song, where Barretto’s precisely plucked double bass and Miguélez’s soulful sax help cultivate a very cultured jazz setting, and “You And The Night And The Music” follows with frisky drumming from Cavaleiro helping guide the atypical rhythm of the bass heavy climate.
“Someday My Monk Will Come” occupies the middle spot and showcases Pilc’s agile piano playing alongside the bright brass acrobatics, while “But Not For Me” builds into a dynamic and meticulously layered album highlight where all the members display their respective talent in spades.
Nearing the end, “Galicia” brings a calm, intimate moment that’s full of stirring sax and graceful keys, and “Ontology” exits with a duo between Miguélez and Pilc that illustrates a tremendous amount of talent.
A very exciting mix of standards and originals, Miguélez and company produce very classic jazz sounds that are spontaneous, inspirational and very modern in their charming delivery.
Travels well with: John Stowell/Dave Glenn & The Hawcaptak Quartet- Violin Memory; Hal Galper Trio- Invitation To Openness