Matador: Ducon

Uruguayan guitarist and composer Santiago Bogacz, who goes by the stage name Matador, has already proven his virtuosity and adventurous spirit on a number of eponymous solo EPs, each with gorgeous abstract art work as a distinguishing feature. Ducón is his second duet release after the poetic Cabala (Self Produced, 2018). This time he has teamed up with bassist Antonino Restuccia. Recorded live on September 8th 2018 in the city of Ducón, the album consists of a single, multifaceted and cinematic piece that clocks over 38 minutes.

Bogacz, once again, enhances his western classical approach with folk and other elements. The rhythms of his percussive chords are distinctively Latin while the melody contains raw emotive moments characteristic of North American blues. This intricate and modernistic composition also has middle eastern motifs, particularly near the end, that imbue it with a lyrical melancholy.

Vocals on the current recording are limited to mellifluous whistling and haunting wordless vocalise. Lack of words fits well with the simultaneously impressionistic and contemplative nature of the tune's ambience.

Restuccia, an accomplished improviser and bandleader in his own right, brings a jazzy spontaneity to the performance with his eloquent exchanges with Bogacz as well as his rich, darkly hued, thumping vamps. The song shimmers as it meanders fluidly from beginning to end, demonstrating the delightful synergy between the two musicians. The camaraderie that Bogacz and Restuccia exhibit is reminiscent of that between guitarist Jim Hall and bassist Ron Carter even though their style is different.

Ducón is an intriguing work that highlights the brilliance and talents of two up and coming, genre-bending, artists. Hopefully, both individually and together, they will continue making exciting and inventive music.