Collage
Ears & Eyes, 2022
8/10
The guitarist Juan Trujillo brings along bassist Sean Conly and the drummer Francisco Mela for these very exploratory free jazz tunes that unfold with fascinating improvisation.
“Araya” opens the listen with warm acoustic guitar, and it isn’t long until cozy Latin influences enter the cautious climate that tips its hat to a Venezuelan film of the 50s by Margot Benacerraf, and “Rebote” follows with frisky drumming and playfully plucked bass making for an adventurous jazz delivery.
Halfway through, “El Santo” offers a hazy and more rock focused display, while “Himno” flows with firm harmonies in its radiant guitar tone and meticulous nature.
The final two tracks, “El Chivo” and “Simultaneo”, are equally impressive, where the former is entirely improvised with strategic bowing from Conly, and the latter exits with folk melodies and an intimate prettiness that helps make this the album’s best selection.
Trujillo grew up listening to classical music, classic rock, salsa, and jazz, and be brings all those qualities to his superb guitar playing and cultured, creative and avant-garde vision.
Travels well with: Mike Allemana- Vonology; Elsa Nilsson- Atlas Of Sound, Coast Redwoods, 41°32’09.8”N 124°04’35.5”W