Albert Vila: Reality Is Nuance

Reality Is Nuance features nine tracks from jazz guitarist Albert Vila and his trio. The trio is completed by bassist Doug Weiss, who has performed with jazz legends such as singers Joe Williams and Lizz Wright, and drummer Rudy Royston, who has performed with the late great Les McCann, saxophonist Ravi Coltrane and The Mingus Big Band to name just a few. Vila is from Barcelona, Spain where he began his musical studies. He has traveled around the world gaining recognition while teaching and studying with prominent musicians.

On "Hope," the interplay between the rhythm section and Vila's eclectic style playing is outstanding. "Blue" opens with a melancholy tone as the acoustic guitar shifts chords. The rhythm sections comes in nicely. "Northern Flower" opens with middle eastern harmonies from Vila; throughout from the rhythm section playing is electric and vibrant. "The Loner" has a smooth jazz guitar rhythm and features Royston. "215:" Vila serenades with a smooth, mellow acoustic guitar solo. "216:" the rhythm sections opens softly followed by Vila romanticizing in his solo. "Ancient Kingdom" has a medium tempo with Vila performing lyrically. Royston's drum accents are superb. "April" has smooth improvisations of drum hats and brushes from Royston and bass guitar harmonics from Weiss over a smooth guitar melody by Vila.