Marco Sanguinetti: 8

8 is the new album by Marco Sanguinetti, who has been around for a little while. Sanguinetti has made three previous albums Improvisiones (MDR 2005), Franz Processes (2008), The Other (2011) and now8, the last three being produced on the Acqua label. He has played with Rodrigo Gomez, Leila Cherro (who also plays on '8'), La Bomba de Tiempo and has been involved in many audio visual projects. Since 2008 Sanguinetti has collaborated as musical director with the dancer and choreographer Ines Armas and playwright Fagner Pavan. He is also involved in many projects involving dance, theatre and music and has presented his music at international festivals. Recently voted number 1 composer by Argentinian jazz journalists and the album 8 was voted second in the Album of The Year Poll. Sanguinetti was also voted third best musician in the same poll.

8 is surprising in its concept and ingenious use of the musicians at Sanguinetti's disposal. It is brimful with esoteric, mesmeric music, created by an improviser of formidable talent. Improvised, yet not anarchic, free music yet with enough structure and control to appeal to both those with a passion for free playing and those preferring more classical undertones, Sanguinetti manages to cross genres and create almost his own Sanguinetti-genre. He uses each instrument to the full, making full and complex use of the piano as keyboard, strings and percussion. Sanguinetti describes 8 as, "Themes aimed at searching for a new sound with clear urban ideas." From the start, Sanguinetti's creation is like stepping through the looking glass into a world where nothing makes sense and yet, somehow, it all comes together to create an almost perfect dreamscape. "Cuchillo" opens the album and Sanguinetti plays his piano with an empty whisky glass, striking the strings to create chunky notes, twangs and thumps, joined by a repeated G# single note played over and over before the rest of the musicians develop a tune to meet the rhythm set by the piano. The tune develops to a climax with the entire band before each musician fades to leave just the piano once more—genius.

"Ruedas" is a blues based number with a foot tapping rhythm-the melody—picked up by the rest. "La Ventana" ("The Window") incorporates wondrous, languid vocals from Victoria Zotalis. "We don't Know" introduces a somber mood and demonstrates Sanguinetti's variety. "Navigator" starts with a repeated note (a D this time) and works itself up to a frenzy and fervent climax. "San Telmo" uses sounds originally recorded at an Indian bazaar, with background wailing and calls from the vendors. It is almost completely improvised and allows Cherro to demonstrate the full, throaty range of his instrument. 8 is one of those albums where one listen is never enough. Each listen gives more and unveils more depth.