Rafael Greco

Dice Que Vive (Signs Of Life)

Blue Canoe, 2022

8/10

Listen to Dice Que Vive Signs Of Life

The multi-instrumentalist, composer and producer/arranger Rafael Greco brings his Venezuela heritage to this exceptional debut solo album as leader, where his personal songwriting embraces global ideas alongside plenty of esteemed help on hand.

“Once Upon A Time” starts the listen with Greco handling plenty of percussive sounds as well as vocals, while Robert Quinter’s cumaco and Rodner Padilla’s electric bass add much playfulness to the cultured energy, and “Ondé” follows with Steve Khan’s acoustic guitar and Randy Brecker’s muted trumpet and flugelhorn solo complementing Greco’s expressive singing in the dreamy delivery.

Further down the line, the atmospheric “10th Avenue” benefits much from Santiago Bosch’s moody synth as Greco sings with a warm, poetic quality, and “Mantra” displays the depth of Greco’s talent where he plays several instruments and also brings samples and his inimitable singing to the precisely textured climate.

Arriving near the end, “Five Miniatures For Solo Piano” enlists Arnaldo Pizzolante on acoustic piano and Pimpi Santistevan on whistle for the intimate gestures that can also get a bit more animated, and “Ghost Owner” exits the listen with Greco’s tenor sax prowess amid Juanma Trujillo’s electric guitar for the unpredictable jazz finish.

Also an author and photographer, this first record on his own showcases another avenue of Greco’s creativity that’s heartfelt, rich and beaming with a worldly flavor.

Travels well with: Minas- Beatles In Bossa; Randy Napoleon- Puppets: The Music Of Gregg Hill