Duo
Ropeadope, 2022
9/10
The exceptional musician Claudia Acuña returns with themes about reflection and re-dedication, where duets of songs from her native country, Chile, comprise the 9 songs that are lush, eloquent and possess much cultured beauty.
“Medianoche” gets the listen off to a warm start, where Kenny Barron’s sublime piano complements Acuña’s stunning pipes in the poetic and powerful opener, and “Eclipse de Luna” follows with Christian McBride’s precise bass plucking that helps create a gorgeous intimacy via the stirring singing.
In the middle, “Jurame” brings along Fred Hersch’s agile piano prowess for the soaring album highlight that has Acuña showcasing her impressive range, while “Manifiesto” benefits much from Carter’s superb violin acrobatics for the selection that places much emphasis on mood.
Close to the end, “Crystal Silence” is a vocally strong and precisely delivered Chick Corea original, and “Yo” exits with Acuña handling bombo leguero, too, as she sings with a mesmerizing appeal.
A veteran artist who arrived in the United States in the mid ‘90s, Acuña enjoyed a prolific and well received career until she took time off for motherhood. A return to music in 2019 yielded a Latin Grammy Nomination, and this excellent body of work certainly proves that her vision and delivery is worth repeated listens.
Travels well with: Christian Scott aTunde Adjuah- Ancestral Recall; Dred Scott- Rides Alone