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Luis Lopes: Dark Narcissus
by Mark Corroto
Some argue that one must learn a new language to truly understand the music of Derek Bailey and Cecil Taylor-- Bailey's intricate “alphabet" or Taylor's dense vernacular equations. Interestingly, similar sentiments were once expressed about the now- universally acclaimed work of Thelonious Monk. Without a metaphorical key, some listeners may find themselves unable to unlock the mysteries of these towering figures. But does one need to be an anarchist to appreciate the raw noise of Masami Akita, also known as ...
Continue ReadingLuís Lopes: Believe, Believe
by Angelo Leonardi
Dopo aver debuttato dodici anni fa con la Clean Feed (Humanization 4tet) e inciso due dischi con la francese Ayler Records (Electricity del 2010 e Live in Madison del 2013) il gruppo texano-portoghese torna a pubblicare con l'etichetta di Pedro Costa, riproponendo la vibrante e infuocata miscela di free jazz storico con sonorità heavy metal, noise e appassionanti riferimenti al blues e al funk. L'ensemble è tra i protagonisti di quella nicchia che tiene alta la bandiera dell'improvvisazione ...
Continue ReadingLuis Lopes Humanization 4tet: Believe, Believe
by John Sharpe
For a multinational unit to persist, it must offer sufficient justifications to outweigh the logistical challenges. For Portuguese guitarist Luís Lopes, his Humanization Quartet clearly earns its existence. Believe, Believe is the outfit's fourth album since the recording of its debut in 2007, even though it is some years since the third Live In Madison (Ayler, 2013). While fellow countryman tenor saxophonist Rodrigo Amado completes the front line, the rhythm section comprises two Texas-based brothers, bassist Aaron Gonzalez and drummer ...
Continue ReadingLuís Lopes: Love Song: Post-Ruins
by Mark Corroto
You may be familiar with the Robert Frost poem “Acquainted with the Night" from your high school literature class. Back then, what did you know of melancholy? Sure there was the darkness of adolescence, but also the possibilities. The poem, in 14 short lines, follows the same terza rima rhyme scheme as Dante's Divine Comedy ("In the midst of life's journey I found myself in a dark wood, for the right path was lost"), and also the same anguish. Guitarist ...
Continue ReadingLuís Lopes: Guillotine
by Mark Corroto
Many people know the opening lines of Charles Dickens' A Tale Of Two Cities: “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times." But how many remember the author goes on to report on an age of wisdom/foolishness, an epoch of belief/incredulity, a season of light/darkness and the spring of hope/winter of despair? He certainly could be writing about recycling/climate warming, diversity/white supremacists and tolerance/religious extremists. Revolution is a suitable topic for Portuguese guitarist Luís ...
Continue ReadingParrinha / Lopes / Jacinto: Garden
by Glenn Astarita
On a global basis, Portuguese guitarist Luis Lopes may be the more recognizable artist of the trio due to his longtime affiliation with Clean Feed Records via its worldly outreach. But his fellow countrymen, reedman Bruno Parrinha and cellist / electronics ace Ricardo Jacinto have been in the thick of things amid the newer horizons approach to jazz and improvisation on the European front. Garden is a sojourn into an alien musical world, as the band seemingly derives ...
Continue ReadingLuís Lopes: Love Song
by Mark Corroto
I would never arbitrarily dictate the when and how one should consume a particular recording. But, may I suggest that you only listen to the recording Love Song by Portuguese guitarist Luís Lopes</em> late at night and with the lights off (at least for the first time)?. This is not the celebratory {{m: Frank Sinatra music Songs For Swingin' Lovers (Capitol, 1956) sessions, but more like the In the Wee Small Hours (Capitol, 1955) heartbroken lover. That is, if the ...
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