Rodrigo Agudelo - Aeronautas (2020)

Aeronautas, which could well be the name of the group, is the title of this solo work by Rodrigo Agudelo, a guitarist whose duet with Adrián Iaies, no less, was known to us on a record level, and of many concerts with various groups. To record this first record of his own compositions (one of Ginga sneaks in there), he got together with three extraordinary musicians. Because they are not very good, Tomás Fares on piano, Sebastián de Urquiza on double bass and American Rudy Royston on drums are outstanding.

With a fresh look at current jazz, including elements of Brazilian music and always singing with his guitar with a clean and clear, classic sound, Agudelo builds a record of contrasts but that closes as a unique work. Contrasts because it varies from an intimate atmosphere like that of El adversario (track 3) to the beat of Le caen far (7).

One of the guitarists you will inevitably think of when listening to this quartet is Bill Frisell. Not because of the sound, precisely, but because of some harmonic progressions and the Bohemian climates, which opens the album, or the aforementioned track 7. It is surprising then to discover that Royston plays with Frisell ... It is still a coincidence, or a case of affinity. They all stand out, and although Agudelo's solos are the majority, it is convenient to listen carefully to what Sebastián de Urquiza does in Peixe (4) or Fares in Le caen far.

Recorded in December 2017, released in digital format in 2019, the CD now arrives in 2002 and is worth having, to listen to it in full and with good audio. Safety pin.