Antonino Restuccia & Santiago Bogacz: Subsuelo

Uruguayan bassist Antonino Restuccia and guitarist Santiago Bogacz's second EP, the cinematic Subsuelo, like their first was recorded live in their hometown, Montevideo. Also like their first recording, it contains a single, entirely improvised live track. Even though there is less than year between the two sessions the duo's creativity has developed and their camaraderie has become tighter. Each musician is able to better anticipate the other and respond with alacrity.

Opening with Restuccia's darkly reverberating strings and Bogacz's lyrical chords the performance takes on a dramatic and expectant mood. As the haunting dialogue evolves the eloquent exchanges fill with folk motifs and contrasting dissonances. The contemplative duet flows with grace and ease. Restuccia taps the resonant body of his instrument and Bogacz lets loose fiery and hypnotic lines.

The ambience becomes yet more otherworldly as Restuccia's notes toll and Bogacz whistles as he pensively strums his guitar. His refrains become percussive and together with Restuccia's thumps create energetic vamps. These in turn evolve into a mellifluous sonic swirl that is thrillingly spontaneous. Bogacz's furious guitar and wordless vocalizing and Restuccia's muscular vamps make for a riotous mix that closes the tune on an eerie tone.

Bogacz and Restuccia are genre bending and accomplished artists and the music they record together is more than the sum of their talents.