Exetastes
Self-Released, 2024
8/10
The composer and singer Laura Chu Wiens, aka AurallaurA, has an impressive resume that includes fronting The Jazz Conspiracy, Lora, Belgrade Boys, and, currently, RML, and here she brings a worldly influence to 11 diverse tracks.
Greg Lutz’s bright keys open up “But, You Know”, before Nick Costa’s warm drums and Wiens’ animated and soulful pipes enter alongside the glowing sax, and “Shelter; Storm” follows with Billy Sokol’s agile bass and Ben Townsend’s strategic fiddle suiting the smooth and stylish climate.
Halfway through, “Mind The Gap” welcomes Alex Price’s stirring violin that complements the intimate yet frisky delivery, while “The Last Nostalgic Wait” is focused much on Wiens’ expressive voice, where Ellen Perkins’ cozy guitar won’t go unnoticed.
Landing close to the end, John Dahlman’s skilled bass adds much to the rich album highlight, “Press The Word”, and “Yuan Fen” exits and benefits much from Gracie Zielinski’s strategic violin via the poetic finish that puts Lutz’s clarinet to good use, too.
A body of work with a global presence, Wiens and company flesh out a distinct and memorable spin on jazz that you won’t soon forget.
Travels well with: Aguankó- Unidad; The Moore-McColl Jazz Society- Up And Gone