Emaginario - Interlude of the Duende (2024) [Hi-Res]

Guitarist, composer, and arranger Ethan Margolis is the driving force behind “Interlude of the Duende,” a soundscape that puts into focus his strong rhythmic and compositional sensibilities, which include a deep interest in Jazz, Delta Blues, and the roots Flamenco music that he has studied for over 25 years since living in the Andalusian region of Spain. Add aspects of spoken word and even punk and you have a musical mix unlike any other.

Duende, the Spanish word in the title, has been called “a heightened state of emotion, expression and authenticity” and is often connected with Flamenco and Andalusian vocal music. On this recording, the term appropriately reflects the complexity of the music, the power of the collaboration itself and more broadly Margolis’ life experience in Spain and beyond. With duende as his spiritual driver, Margolis designed a body of work for a trio format with top-flight musicians, bassist Larry Grenadier and drummer Eric Harland. Together they have created a rhythmic floor that reflects the percussive nature of Margolis’s writing and playing which is influenced heavily by shuffle rhythms, Flamenco phrasing and grooves of the African Diaspora.

“Initially I wrote the compositions for my style of guitar playing and out of my love for roots-based genres such as Blues, Flamenco and Jazz,” Margolis says of “Interlude of the Duende.” “I had full ideas for congas, bongo, batá, and shakers in these compositions but circumstance brought drummer Eric Harland to the session and we worked together to harness the essence of the drums in the songs." Margolis continues, "Eric joined the session last-minute, respected all of my pre-production drum notes and exceeded all expectations. “He made it sound like this album was meant for him from the beginning. It takes a huge amount of knowledge and humility to play like that—what he did on the album is unique, difficult, soulful, and innovative—all at the same time.”

Of the upright bass aspects and Grenadier’s participation, Margolis says, “Larry played with a masterful accompanist-mentality staying ‘out of the way’ of the guitar very naturally but at the same time keeping the groove moving forward as needed—check out “Solace and Descent” as a reference to this. He also plays some really special stuff on “Continuance” and “A Beating Heart." Margolis wrote out several of the bass parts on the record so that harmonically he might achieve a natural fusion of sounds for his style. He adds, "I am extremely sensitive to the frequency clashes between acoustic guitars and upright basses, so understanding where the bass might play is an important aspect to my comfort zone as an improviser. The tunings and keys were deliberate compositional tools to highlight the acoustic guitar as a world jazz instrument and I wanted to play equal parts ‘finger style’ as well as ‘picking.’

The album also offers some of the most diverse vocalizations one might find on a recording. There are sketches of Flamenco, roots music from the Deep South and nuances from spoken word and the Beat Generation. “I have always used vocalizations to express my music," Margolis says. "It turned out that within Flamenco culture, vocalizations were used a lot to teach improvisation, so I felt right at home learning to improvise vocally over the rhythms.”

Margolis says he connected with “duende” because it describes what is powerful and connective in his music-making, be it modal Jazz, Delta Blues, or Flamenco. For me, the mission has become about connecting with long-gone musical spirits to tell an authentic story of human artistic expression. Their wisdom and insight on the human condition is too important to lose." Edward Hirsch, another poet, and student of duende, writes that it can be found in musical works with “powerful undertow.” He cites Robert Johnson’s Delta Blues and the modal approach Miles Davis used in “Kind of Blue” as primary examples of duende.

Interlude of the Duende is a diverse and interesting recording of 13 pieces and the reward is what it brings to the senses. The 13 pieces in this recording push the boundaries of sound and sensibility and bring a sense of discovery and wonder to the listener. It is a recording to listen to repeatedly and embrace the revelations at every turn. Enjoy.

- Jon Thurber, former Executive News Editor, Calendar and Jazz Editor, Los Angeles Times

Acoustic Steel String Guitar - Ethan Margolis
Vocals - Ethan Margolis
Upright Bass - Larry Grenadier
Drums - Eric Harland

Tracklist:
1.01 - Emaginario, Larry Grenadier, Eric Harland - Beginning With A Groove (3:29)
1.02 - Emaginario, Larry Grenadier, Eric Harland - Continuance (4:33)
1.03 - Emaginario, Larry Grenadier, Eric Harland - Roaming (3:52)
1.04 - Emaginario, Larry Grenadier, Eric Harland - Solace and Descent (4:12)
1.05 - Emaginario, Larry Grenadier, Eric Harland - Angels Exist (2:11)
1.06 - Emaginario, Larry Grenadier, Eric Harland - Harmonic Strife (4:00)
1.07 - Emaginario, Larry Grenadier, Eric Harland - Peace In Tragedy (3:17)
1.08 - Emaginario, Larry Grenadier, Eric Harland - Del Duende (2:31)
1.09 - Emaginario, Larry Grenadier, Eric Harland - Rincones (3:13)
1.10 - Emaginario, Larry Grenadier, Eric Harland - De Raíz (1:37)
1.11 - Emaginario, Larry Grenadier, Eric Harland - Growing Forward (4:57)
1.12 - Emaginario, Larry Grenadier, Eric Harland - Del Tambor (2:22)
1.13 - Emaginario, Larry Grenadier, Eric Harland - A Beating Heart (1:21)