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Abel Mireles: Animo
ByMireles was raised in a musical family. His formal training was by way of the University of Texas at El Paso and William Paterson University in Wayne, New Jersey, just outside Manhattan. Mireles is a forceful player: there is nothing understated about him. He is straight-ahead, post-bop grit, and a lot of it. While Mexico may show up allusively in titles such as "Xochilpitzahuatl" (a Nahuatl word literally meaning a spray of flowers), a blindfold test would not likely lead one to think "Latin fusion" player. He blows hard and insistently and writes modally. Mireles is polished, but scarcely delicate.
From the first assertive quarter notes of "Heart Pain" where Mireles is accompanied by pianist Benito Gonzales, no one in messing around. The kinship of bop to the blues is on display as the tune's figures broaden out into ever-more swirling clusters of notes. "What To Do" strikes a montuno groove early, but then goes into a hard-swinging four with the assistance of Gonzáles, drummer E.J. Strickland, and bassist Myles Sloniker. "Xochipitzahuatl" is a modal vehicle in three for soprano sax, also moving into straight four with Gonzáles channeling Mulgrew Miller. "Ánimo," a darkly moving ballad, is a tribute to Mireles' late father. Want take no prisoners? "Listen" will compel just that as it chews up big hunks of space with Strickland pushing hard in the background. Candice Reyes, a vocalist and Mireles' wife, conjures up a kind of jazz-rock "Softly as In a Morning Sunrise," a late 1920s tune, that is one part Merry Clayton and much less one part Artie Shaw. There is plenty more to hear as well.
Inevitably, Mireles sort of modal writing can become formulaic and a bit predictable, but the raw energy and power of the playing and singing more than makes up for that. This is Mireles' first recording, and it is a fine one. Expect to hear more good things about him. If Abel Mireles is the future of jazz from Mexico, it is going to be very interesting indeed.
Track Listing
Heart Pain; What to Do; Xochipitzahuatl; Perspective; Beatrice; Ánimo; Listen; Softly As In A Morning Sunrise; Good Angry; Forgive.
Personnel
Album information
Title: Animo | Year Released: 2022 | Record Label: Sunnyside Records
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Album Review
Richard J Salvucci
Ânimo
Sunnyside Records
Abel Mireles
Benito Gonzales
E.J. Strickland
Myles Sloniker
Candice Reyes
Merry Clayton
Artie Shaw