El Tinajon
Modica, 2022
8/10
This debut album from the Cuban native and Toronto resident Luis Deniz displays some powerful improvisation, where Deniz’s saxophone welcomes several esteemed musicians to help flesh out the Latin jazz.
“Reflexiones” gets the listen off to a soulful start, where Deniz’s soothing brass and cultured percussion from Jorge Luis Torres makes an indelible impression, and “La Ceiba de Mayuya” follows with Ahmed Mitchel’s acrobatic drumming alongside Deniz’s skilled and fluid sax prowess.
Halfway through, “Entre Dos Ideas” showcases Rafael Zaldivar’s agile piano amid the rich sax playing, while “Bolero” moves at a more intimate pace of textured beauty that benefits much from Roberto Occhipinti’s acoustic bass.
“Strong Together” and “Conga para Florida” exit the listen, where the former glides at a frisky pace of worldly jazz dynamics, and the latter finishes with much emphasis on percussion and swirling sax as many voices enter for the raw, absorbing finish.
It’s no surprise that Deniz is Grammy nominated and a Juno Award winner, cause his very atypical approach to song craft and influences from many parts of the globe make for a very enlightening and exciting listen.
Travels well with: Dana Fitzsimons- Fault Lines; Anthony Fung- What Does It Mean To Be Free?