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Alfredo Balcacer: Suspended Sea
ByRhythms fortified by the forms and conditions of the Dominican Republic, fusions fluid in language(s) spread across his travels, and textures rich in nuance inform Balcacer's work from the beginning. "La Silla Marron"a deftly spun weave featuring the core band plus Dr. Scott Cowan on trumpet, Yakiv Tsvietinskyi on flugelhorn, and Katie Lockwood with wordless vocalsserves as an introduction to Balcacer's music, but it's hardly a summation. "It's Taking Too Long"an energetically anxious offering with a cool sheen, intense guitar contributions and some hot solo workshows off another side of the leader's personality, as does the punctuated-turned-swinging-turned-jamming pathways defining "Difusion Azul" and the haunting and transformative theme of "The Mourning Process."
One of the keys to this music's general success, beyond the writing itself, is the sympathetic mesh of musicians giving it life. Bassist Henry Rensch, drummer Madison George and percussionist Otoniel Nicolas have a firm yet fluid grasp on the idiom; keyboardists Rufus Ferguson and Dutcher Snedeker deal with both grain and greater aspects of the work; tenor saxophonist Caleb Elzinga covers the whole cool-to-hot spectrum while addressing blend and balance with his company; and a variety of guests enhance various aspects of the artwork. There are times where prolonged activity on a prescribed path tends to dull the senses a bit, but those issues are rare. By and large, Balcacer's work commands attention. Whether we're talking about a wild ride like "Inside My Head," a more patient pronouncement such as a "Love Treaty," or the Afro-Caribbean-glazed fusion fields of "Con Em Alma," this young guitarist colors the ears impressed.
Track Listing
La Silla Marron; It's Taking Too Long; Difusion Azul; The Mourning Process; Inside My Head; La Danza Del Viento; A Love Treaty; Con El Alma; Tales Of The Horse Back Rider.
Personnel
Alfredo Balcacer
guitar, electricAlfredo Balcacer: guitars; Madison George: drums; Otoniel Nicolas: percussion; Henry Rensch: acoustic bass, electric bass; Rufus Ferguson: piano, keyboards; Dutcher Snedeker: Moog synthesizer (2, 4-7, 9); Caleb Elzinga: tenor saxophone; Dr. Scott Cowan: trumpet (1, 3); Elliot Bild: trumpet (7); Yakiv Tsietinskyi: flugelhorn (1), trumpet (8); Katie Lockwood: vocals (1, 6, 8).
Album information
Title: Suspended Sea | Year Released: 2019 | Record Label: Self Produced
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About Alfredo Balcacer
Instrument: Guitar, electric
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