Oblivion
Zoho, 2021
8/10
A Russia native who now calls Boston home, the flautist Yulia Musayelyan is in very diverse, international company here, as the Ukraine born Maxim Lubarsky handles piano, the Argentinian Fernando Huergo holds down bass and Chicago’s Mark Walker sits behind the drum kit.
“Fuga Y Misterio” starts the listen with Musayelyan’s bright and swift flute, which is complemented by Lubarsky’s dancing keys and, later on, Walker’s frisky drumming, and “Flor De Lino” follows with Huergo’s playful bass acrobatics underneath the dynamic instrumentation that’s not short on melody.
Residing in the middle, “Como Dos Extranos” brings in expressive singing from Musayelyan on the only track with vocals, while “La Muerte Del Angel” benefits from propulsive drumming amid soaring flute in the swift album highlight. “Nada”, another strong track, then get calm and emotive, where the warm keys align fluidly against the low bass flute and flourishing solos.
Deeper yet, “Nostalgias” flows with a cinematic quality that tells a heartfelt story without any actual words, and “Libertango” exits the listen with a dazzling display of lightning quick keys, energetic drumming, and, of course, inviting flute.
An exciting tango listen that’s emotionally charged, spiritually aware and full of very fun and memorable instrumentation, Musayelyan puts her inimitable stamp on these classics, proving that she can tango with the best of them, too.
Travels well with: Julio Botti- Pure Tango; Pablo Ziegler Chamber Quartet- Radiotango