Abe Lagrimas, Jr. - Beyond Words (2021)

Beyond Words is the eighth solo project released by musician and multi-instrumentalist Abe Lagrimas, Jr. The album features eight original compositions with the addition of the jazz standard "Blame It On My Youth" rounding out the album to a total of nine tracks. Once again, Abe flexes his skills as a prolific composer and highly proficient multi-instrumentalist performing on the drums, vibraphone, ukulele, keyboard, and bass, which can be heard on the track "FYH", a song played entirely by Abe.

The album also features Los Angeles-based musicians Matt Politano on piano, Sezin Ahmet Türkmenoğlu on bass, Will Brahm on guitar, and Honolulu-based trumpeter DeShannon Higa. What sets this album apart from Abe's previous works is that due to the pandemic of 2020, each instrument was recorded remotely by the musicians in their respective home recording setups, something worth noting when listening to these songs.

Despite it being a less-than-ideal recording situation, not to mention the struggle musicians were dealing with from losing gigs and jobs worldwide, it did not stop Lagrimas from creating and sharing his music to the world. Beyond Words is a collection of songs without words that reflect the uncertain and difficult times of 2020, but also a reminder that music can help us remain optimistic as well as overcome the obstacles we encounter everyday.