Edward Ratliff: Barcelona In 48 Hours

As the soundtrack to a short film of the same name, Barcelona In 48 Hours travels through myriad textures and themes. Like Miles Davis, trumpeter Edward Ratliff brings out different views from beneath the jazz umbrella, from muted cornet in a traditional Spanish sweep to hip-hop rhythms in a contemporary language.

Several arrangements of "Barcelona" wander pointedly among tango and flamenco. Folk timbres from violin and accordion bring the tradition alive. Michaël Attias adds baritone saxophone high jinks to the film's music. His caricatures range from traditional jazz to leading edge avant-garde. With Kevin Norton on "Barcelona (dreaming)," he's on fire. Sam Bardfeld's violin adds dramatic tension, as John Herbert's bass maintains the Barcelona posture. Together, they show that the music can be flexible to suit any scene.

One piece resembles the sounds of a music box, while another dips into the marketplace atmosphere of a quaint Middle Eastern village. Since the film centers on the life of a contemporary dance artist, movement and culture from around the world remain embedded.

As Ratliff closes the album with several soulful numbers, you once again see the strong parallel between this cornetist and trumpeter Miles Davis. Creative people will always leave their imprint. Ratliff inspires. With his guidance, the film has been enhanced, and the universal appeal of jazz for generations has been reignited.