Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Xavier Reija: Resolution

10

Xavier Reija: Resolution

By

Sign in to view read count
Xavier Reija: Resolution
Like the classic game Rock 'Em Sock 'Em Robots where the goal is to literally knock the other opponent's head off, Catalan drummer/composer Xavi Reija delivers plenty of head-banging good times in his power trio date Resolution. Yet this isn't your typical fusion-esque recording as it takes some unexpected detours from the progressive-rock idiom with its panache and methodology.

A graduate from Berklee School of Music's class of 1999 and widespread activity in Barcelona's eclectic music scene, Reija's wellspring of experience and chops are evident. True to form, there are thundering rhythms, a pulsating low-end from bassist Bernat Hernandez and scorching riffs provided by Serbian guitarist Dusan Jevtovic. While sonic jams such as the contagious "Unfinished Love" totally rock the house, other pieces are filled with freedom and exploration from the simpatico trio.

"Flying to Nowhere"'s stress-free presence juxtaposes melodicism and heavy metal as Reija's multilayered percussion traps fuel atmospheric guitar tones. "Macroscope" is as thrilling as hang-gliding over a mountain with a breathtaking vista. It highlights Hernandez playing an impressive fretless solo with Jaco Pastorius-like ease as Jevtovic silhouettes the theme with ethereal noises in tandem with Reija's jazzed beats.

The musicians are clearly having a blast as they work creatively through the program's multi-textured set with elements of ambient-noise in "Dreamer" or gritty avant-punk in "John´s Song." Whether jamming through undulating changes in the "Abyss" or the artistic changes of "Gravity" and the title track, the trio captures a unique balance of sound, performance and improvisation.

Track Listing

Flying to Nowhere; Macroscope; Shadow Dance; Dreamer; Abyss; The Land of the Sirenians; Unfinished Love; John´s Song; Resolution; Gravity; Welcome to the End.

Personnel

Xavi Reija: drums; Bernat Hernandez: bass; Dusan Jevtovic: guitar.

Album information

Title: Resolution | Year Released: 2014 | Record Label: Moonjune Records

Comments

Tags


For the Love of Jazz
Get the Jazz Near You newsletter All About Jazz has been a pillar of jazz since 1995, championing it as an art form and, more importantly, supporting the musicians who create it. Our enduring commitment has made "AAJ" one of the most culturally important websites of its kind, read by hundreds of thousands of fans, musicians and industry figures every month.

You Can Help
To expand our coverage even further and develop new means to foster jazz discovery and connectivity we need your help. You can become a sustaining member for a modest $20 and in return, we'll immediately hide those pesky ads plus provide access to future articles for a full year. This winning combination will vastly improve your AAJ experience and allow us to vigorously build on the pioneering work we first started in 1995. So enjoy an ad-free AAJ experience and help us remain a positive beacon for jazz by making a donation today.

More

Love Is Passing Thru
Roberto Magris
Candid
Sunny Five
Inside Colours Live
Julie Sassoon

Popular

Eagle's Point
Chris Potter
Light Streams
John Donegan - The Irish Sextet

Get more of a good thing!

Our weekly newsletter highlights our top stories, our special offers, and upcoming jazz events near you.