Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Emilio Solla Y La Inestable De Brooklyn: Second Half

9

Emilio Solla Y La Inestable De Brooklyn: Second Half

By

Sign in to view read count
Emilio Solla Y La Inestable De Brooklyn: Second Half
The life-as-football-game metaphor is central to this stunning album from pianist Emilio Solla.

In 2012, Solla had an epiphany. He awoke to the realities of his existence, the finite nature of things, and the passage of time. He realized that he'd already played the first half of this game called life, working his way up and down the field while executing play after play. Now, in working his way into the second half, he's learned to play the game using the hard-earned wisdom gained during the first half to his advantage. And he's worked out some new scenarios in the playbook, too.

Some musicians tend to infuse too much nostalgia into their music as time comes off the clock, but Solla never falls into that trap. Instead, he uses everything at his disposal to make the plays, creating vibrant harmonic tapestries, peppy and playful passages, and beautifully wrought pieces of musical art. He's not afraid to turn reflective on occasion ("Para La Paz"), but he doesn't usually dwell on his thoughts; he prefers to move, in both senses of the word. There's passion at play, rhythmic sway, and a hearty heart beating around Second Half.

Solla paints his canvases with La Inestable de Brooklyn, a nonet that he built in 2010. Plenty of New York's top-flight players are part of this outfit, and each brings something unique to the table: Accordion whiz Victor Prieto helps Solla connect the sonic dots between Spain, New York, and Argentina; violinist Meg Okura brings a spirited elegance to the music; multi-reedists John Ellis and Tim Armacost fill many roles, coloring, riffing, or soloing on different instruments; trumpeter Alex Norris and trombonist Ryan Keberle add depth and complex color to the work; and bassist Jorge Roeder and drummer Eric Doob expertly steer the ship. And while those brief descriptions are completely accurate, they're also very limited. Everybody actually does everything in this band. These nine can simultaneously be seen as utility players and stars, alternately capable of shining like the most precious of stones or blending into the scenery. They can sound like eighteen musicians when needed, but they can also simply vanish, leaving Solla to work in a more intimate space.

Solla opens the album with "Llegara, Llegara, Llegara," a rich and sunny invitation to all ears, but things take a slightly more formal turn with the follow-up—"Chakafrik." From there, Emilio Solla y La Inestable de Brooklyn branches out in multiple directions. There's the calm of "Para La Paz," the complexity of "Suite Piazzollana," and, best of all, an incredibly brilliant reworking of "American Patrol" that bridges the gap between the good old U.S. of A. and South America while giving Keberle the space he deserves.

While returning to the metaphor department and switching sports may deservedly draw ire from some readers, it must be noted that Second Half is a home run. It easily ranks among the best of 2014.

Track Listing

Llegara, Llegara, Llegara; Chakafrik; Para La Paz; Suite Piazzollana; Esencia; American Patrol; Raro; Rhythm Changed.

Personnel

John Ellis: tenor saxophone, flute, bass clarinet; Tim Armacost: tenor saxophone, soprano saxophone, alto flute; Alex Norris: trumpet, flugelhorn; Ryan Keberle: trombone; Meg Okura: violin; Victor Prieto: accordion; Emilio Solla: piano; Jorge Roeder: bass; Eric Doob: drums; Pablo Aslan: bass (7); JP Jofre: bandoneon (3); Marcelo Woloski: bombo leguero (2, 6).

Album information

Title: Second Half | Year Released: 2014 | Record Label: Self Produced

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.