Woven Threads
Sunnyside, 2018
8/10
The pianist and composer Stu Mindeman bridges the gap between North and South American cultures on this 8 track album, which was inspired by Mindeman’s trips to Chile.
“Casi, Casi” starts the listen with help from Francesca Ancarola, who appears many times on the record, as Mindeman’s key prowess flows alongside the strong singing, and “El Aparecido” continues the playful atmosphere with a cultured tune where drum and alto saxophone add much to the setting.
In the middle, “La Rueda” benefits greatly from bouncy bass work and brass as ethereal backing vocals accent the mood, while “La Casa de al Lado” uses trumpet strategically in the elegant affair.
Close to the end, “A Thousand Stars”, with Kurt Elling, offers piano balladry as Elling’s flawless pipes steal the show, and “No Puedes Volver Atras” exits the listen with Ancaroloa’s expressive vocals steering the sophisticated atmosphere.
An extremely personal album, Mindeman’s recent visits to Chile have brought him back to his childhood memories growing up in Santiago, and much like the culture of Chile, these songs bring rich and diverse textures to a timeless and fascination adventure.
Travels well with: Kurt Elling- Man In The Air; Francesca Ancarola- Templanza