Aleph Aguiar: Sugar On My Blackbeans

Sugar On My Blackbeans is the third release from Venezuelan-born, UK-based guitarist Aleph Aguiar. It follows on from Pataruco (Self Produced, 2015) and Maku (Self Produced, 2017). He has spent the intervening years working with Tony Kofi, Elton John and Georgia Cecile and served as the guitar and singing coach for Simon Bird for the 2014 The Inbetweeners 2 movie. Additionally, he has collaborated with numerous dance artists, composing music to accompany their choreography.

That varied background serves him well on this quintet album, as he brings an assortment of approaches to his tribute to the swinging Latin jazz of the 1960s across nine original compositions. Typically, that era would suggest a combination of saxophone and piano. Still, Aguiar changes this up with trumpet and Hammond organ, seeing the trumpet as pivotal to Latin American musical traditions and better suited to his guitar style. In contrast, the Hammond organ brings extra strength to the overall sound.

Naturally, Latin American music demands a robust rhythmic framework, and Aguiar rounds out his quintet with the excellent combination of percussionist Will Fry and drummer Shane Forbes. Their tight understanding immediately brings a strong groove on the album opener "Panspermia." While Wes Montgomery is a clear influence on Aguiar's solo, this is no mere imitation of another guitar great, as Aguiar often heads in unexpected directions. This fresh unpredictability is one of the album's strengths.

Alongside more crisp soloing from Aguiar, trumpeter Quentin Collins brings flamboyance to "Mudwalk," while Hammond organist Liam Dunachie displays his deft touch and flowing style. All combine on the catchy title track, which has an irresistible swaying groove and plenty of memorable motifs, giving a warm, vintage feel.

Aguiar's skills as a composer come to the fore on the slower tracks "Little Daisy" and "One For Sorrow, Two For Joy," as he lets in more space, tightening the focus on his fluid solos while never straying far from the undercurrent of Latin rhythms.

Elsewhere, Aguiar's long solo hits the heights on "Monk Lakes." There are features for Fry and Forbes on "Reflected Three" and "Mondongo," while the vibrant 3/4 rhythm of "Blue Tourpials" takes its inspiration from Venezuelan folk music.

Recorded over two days, the album captures the funky energy of the quintet, with Aguiar's collaborators adding sparkling performances. There is a feel-good quality to the music, which captures the groove of 1960s Latin jazz spiced with a first-take freshness and a contemporary flair.

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