Marco Mezquida - My Friend Marko (2013)

"Mezquida hails from Menorca and is pretty ubiquitous on the thriving Catalonian jazz scene; he features on at least six releases so far in 2013 as sideman and this is his first as leader of his own trio. Straight out of the gate, were treated to fast tempo pyrotechnics with all three musicians effortlessly displaying their wares. Having seen MM live, I can say he connects directly to his instrument, physically engaging with its range and possibilities and somehow that vitality has been captured well in the varied moods here: the pointillistic flurries and stabs of Agustí For President (a tribute to fellow Balearic, avant-jazz pianist Agustí Fernandez); the joyous swing of Checkpoint Charly; the cheeky flirting and subverting of piano trio clichés on Alice; the subtle dissonances and false steps of Taikos drunken waltz; the sultry summer night of Dama De Nit or the early morning improvisation of Cançó De Matinada which slows things down, gives a little more room to breathe fewer notes, more space and is perhaps the most modern piece here. And thats the thing, this album is very contemporary, very now and yet its roots show clearly. Mezquida & Co. know the past, revel in it, and yet create firmly for the present. As for the future... Mezquida is worth watching." Dave Foxall -January, 2014 Jazz Journal