Manel Fortia: Despertar

This trio has collectively accompanied such legends and mentors as Dave Liebman, Billy Hart, Miguel Zenon and Arturo O'Farrill. Their Despertar introduces us to double bassist Manel Fortia, whose deep-rooted, emotional precision recalls the late Charlie Haden, pianist Marco Mezquida's sensual lyricism, and drummer Raphaël Pannier's many vivid colors. This is a nine song, eye and ear opening cycle of stirring, Gotham inspired, Euro- tinged Fortia originals.

Meaning to awaken, Despertar sheds illumination on the darkness from which we all emerge throughout its sweeping, cinematic whole. Urged into being by Fortia's deeply ingrained hammers and pulls and Pannier's restless patter, "Dormir" engages a dreamy, watery, translucent realm of imagination that delivers us to the rushing, uncoiling themes of "Circular." Epic in scope and construction, the piece builds one riveting crescendo upon another, revealing Mezquida's flowing symmetrics and Pannier's crashing might. Fortia holds the brave center as the track whirlwinds for a wondrous eight-plus minutes. Repeat. Play. Repeat.

The quietly restless "Saudades" presents a beautiful respite after "Circular's churning activity, though it too has a burning core stoked by the locked in tow of Fortia and Pannier. Mezquida's insistent calligraphy, as it does so confidently throughout, colors the track with fresh, broad strokes.

"Crescente" shares the same majestic opulence and grit as its predecessors, with Mezquida again holding the persistent motifs and themes front and center as the rhythm section powers through, establishing himself as a pianist to keep tabs on. Despertar then closes out on a trio of thoroughly engaging works as "Aires de Libertad" lends its Spanish flair to the pop-minded "Simple." Starting out as a near-classical recital with an Elton John-like fervor and flavor, the title track rushes to an exultant finish with a heroic trio rave-up. Repeat. Play. Repeat.

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