Jose Dias & Awareness: Live at SMUP
"John Willoughby's Dilemma," the longest cut of the album, begins with a driving head-bopping rock beat brought to life by Pereira's drums and Dias's repetitive riff beneath Andrade's ripping runs. Then the music breaks into ruminative abstractions as the atmosphere takes an immersive and ethereal turn before returning to its rock-beat roots. The bluesy "The Notorious Death of Gustav" features Andrade's moaning and slippery solo atop Pereira's drums.
Created by the strong but subdued interplay of Prazeres, Dias, and Andrade, "The Second Wind of Angela Vicario" has a somber quality, one that evokes reflection on some sad event. "The Innocent Gaze of Humbert" begins playfully, as Andrade's tenor and Prazeres' alto alternate gently over Dias' chords—but the number grows in complexity and dissonance as it progresses, much like the Nabokov character on which it is based. "Hector Walks Through the Gate" starts with dark stuttering phrases which evolve into haunting sound poems that reflect the loss of Troy's hero. "Hergè's First Girlfriend" highlights a fascinating back and forth between Andrade and Pereira. They are joined by a Prazeres' take-it-out solo and this evolves into Periera's rim playing and Dias abstract guitar sonics.
Live at SMUP demonstrates Dias' penchant for unique guitar voicings, voicings he sculpts to create otherworldly atmospheres. Add to this his beautiful yet driven compositions, and what one has is inventive, cerebral music of the first order.
Track Listing
John Willoughby's Dilemma; The Notorious Death of Gustav; The Second Wind of Angela Vicario; The Innocent Gaze of Humbert; Hector Walks Through the Gate; Hergè’s First Girlfriend; Transformation.
Personnel
Jose Dias
guitarJose Dias: guitar; Francisco Andrade: tenor saxophone; Goncalo Prazeres: alto and baritone saxophone; Rui Pereira: drums.
Album information
Title: Live at SMUP | Year Released: 2019 | Record Label: Escanifobetico Records
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