Earth Rebirth
Creatix, 2023
8/10
The flute extraordinaire Colette Michaan is joined by the superb rhythm section of Leo Genovese, John Benitez, Luisito Quintero, Yusnier Sanchez Bustamante and Mireya Ramos for these worldly jazz tracks that adds to her excellent catalog of 4 previous albums.
The title opens with Michaan’s atmospheric flute alongside the playful percussion from Quintero and Bustamante in the very dreamy climate, and “Campina” follows with Genovese’s lively piano progressions amid the more firm emphasis on drumming.
The middle tracks belong to “El Raton” and “Ni Contigo”, where the former uses the flute in highly harmonic ways that complement the cozy percussion, while the latter is a lush and sublimely textured album highlight of light rhythm and melodic interaction between the keys, flute and Benitez’s acoustic bass.
The last track, “Throw It Away”, doesn’t disappoint either, and pairs the finger acrobatics on piano with expressive flute playing and Latin tinted percussion.
A very unique listen that balances improvised and raw moments with bursts of beauty that embrace Michaan’s time spent in Africa, Asia, South America and the Caribbean, these are 6 very rich and inviting tracks.
Travels well with: Dimitri Landrain Trio- Astor’s Place; Ben Shur- Samba For Tarsila