Sofia Rei - Sube Azul (2009)

Tracklist

01. Coplera
02. Sube Azul
03. Cardo O Ceniza
04. Instante De Vos
05. El Lío
06. Las Cáscaras
07. El Mayoral
08. Segundo Final
09. La Chongoyapana
10. Imaginaria
11. Jardines De Asfalto
12. Entre Paredes

Sofia Rei Koutsovitis - surrounded by butterflies on the cover art of Sube Azul - is also enveloped in a multicultural heritage that gives her wings to fly over any continent, soaring with all species of avian life. Born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, but now a full-fledged citizen of the world living in New York City, this is a vocalist who concentrates on writing original material based in Spanish-language lyrics also referring to music of neighboring Peru, Uruguay, and Colombia. In tandem with producer and bassist Jorge Roeder, Koutsovitis employs a sort of South American bohemian aura, using hip cultural landmarks, feelings of love and regret, and an expanded color palette to weave some magical spells over anyone who comes close to her muse.
She wrote all but four of the tracks on this, a follow-up to her debut album, Ojala, and she is joined by Geoff Keezer, with whom she collaborated on the pianist's award-winning album Aurea. As an individual, she's hard to compare to any predecessor, except her joy and passion could rival Flora Purim, Celia Cruz, or Abbey Lincoln. A graduate of the New England Conservatory, she's skilled infusing modern jazz into songs like the playful "El Lio" in 7/8 time, while beautiful repeat ostinato rhythmic phrases and melodies power "Imaginaria" and clarinetist Anat Cohen guests on the celebratory "Entre Paredes." Hers is a strong, lissome, yet contemporary voice with a wide range, as heard on the lighter waltz "Las Cascaras" with harp player Celso Duarte, the layered overdubbed vocals of "Coplera" in a tribal mode, the seriously resolute "Segundo Final," and the late-night "Jardines de Asfalto" in a 5/4 meter. Delicacy meets energy during the title track, the convergence of opposites where rain forest and metropolitan street smarts find common ground in her concept. Then there are the echoing strings that lovingly identify "Cardo o Ceniza," clearly where the heart trumps anything the head might avoid. Hand percussionist Samuel Torres (one of six on the date), soprano saxophonist Dan Blake, second pianist Leo Genovese, cellist and trombonist Dana Leong, and Eric Kurimski or Juancho Herrera on guitar are other instrumentalists playing prominent roles in brightening these sounds. Sofia Rei Koutsovitis is part of a triad of young Argentine-born singers -- including Magos Herrera and Sofia Tosello - who are coming of age in the world jazz realm. With their own personal strengths and different approaches, all have promising futures, with Koutsovitis having the most diverse approach and far-reaching potential away from traditional pop forms and into a truly new music.

DOWNLOAD ALBUM [flac]