JUAN SAIZ/MARCO MEZQUIDA/ALEX REVIRIEGO - HC Pindio (Hors Catégorie – Beyond Categorisation)
Leo Records CD LR 760
Juan Saiz, Flute; Marco Mezquida, Piano; Alex Reviryiego, Contrabass; Genis Bages, Drum
Recorded in Jesus de Monasterio Conservatory, Santander, Spain, 17th September, 2015
This is quite extraordinary, being a collection of soundscape pieces formed around an eclectic variety of roots which includes free improvisation, conventional music and jazz. It is highly dynamic, often feverish, yet at times so understated as to be mesmerising.
The disc opens with a fairly predictable piece that exploits and displays the whole of the quartet and its musical skills. Having got that out of the way, so to speak, the band segues into a different place altogether and its penchant for the avant garde comes to the fore. Structural experiments and investigations follow, and the four musicians each explores his own wide-ranging continuum of assets, both in skill and bravura. This allows them to develop their improvisation which is awe-inspiring, especially that from flute and piano.
Reviewed by Ken Cheetham
Leo Records CD LR 760
Juan Saiz, Flute; Marco Mezquida, Piano; Alex Reviryiego, Contrabass; Genis Bages, Drum
Recorded in Jesus de Monasterio Conservatory, Santander, Spain, 17th September, 2015
This is quite extraordinary, being a collection of soundscape pieces formed around an eclectic variety of roots which includes free improvisation, conventional music and jazz. It is highly dynamic, often feverish, yet at times so understated as to be mesmerising.
The disc opens with a fairly predictable piece that exploits and displays the whole of the quartet and its musical skills. Having got that out of the way, so to speak, the band segues into a different place altogether and its penchant for the avant garde comes to the fore. Structural experiments and investigations follow, and the four musicians each explores his own wide-ranging continuum of assets, both in skill and bravura. This allows them to develop their improvisation which is awe-inspiring, especially that from flute and piano.
Reviewed by Ken Cheetham
