Gonzalo Rubalcaba - Solos: The Jazz Sessions (2010) DVD5

Gorgeous
and sensitive, this edition of Solos: The Jazz Sessions might seem a
bit disingenuous, even antithetical to many notions of jazz, simply due
to the effortless, slick way in which it's put together. Though
seemingly conflicted in part for a document of jazz, this disk in the
end serves up a truly tasty assortment, almost a full hour of fantastic
music and sumptuous visuals. I suppose it's up to you, after reading
this, to decide if you want your jazz delivered to the table in such
fashion.

As told in a short series of brief interview clips
dispersed throughout the music, Rubalcaba's passion for, and lifetime
love of music is evident. The Cuban-born musician clearly has an
affinity for those 'little black dots' we call sheet-music, as
demonstrated with this handful of wide-ranging compositions. Sitting in a
gothic cathedral transformed into a soundstage, Rubalcaba's performance
is captured by multiple HD cameras, with sensuous lighting as an
accompaniment. It's truly a fantastic looking and sounding show.

Of
course what is most fantastic is Rubalcaba's style and performance
itself, one filled with passion and spontaneity that forces its way
through a lushly sedate atmosphere. To this reviewer's tastes and
assumptions, jazz music - no matter its temperament - is about that
fleeting flash of inspiration as much as it is about polish. With camera
angles ranging from high in the rafters to practically underneath the
bench, and with razor-sharp edits mixing it all together, I'm
hard-pressed to believe this wasn't filmed with multiple takes and
performances. In fact Solos series creator Daniel K. Berman proves me
wrong, indicating that only four (but looking like many more) HD cameras
were deployed simultaneously to capture Rubalcaba's performance.

The
overall effect of such a high level of polish indicates a huge level of
respect for the genre, though depending on your proclivities it may
mute somewhat the wonder great jazz performances possess, while creating
a feeling of gentility and restraint.

Nonetheless, Rubalcaba's
expressiveness, sensitivity to the music, and passion, all shine
through. It's true that much Rubalcaba plays is on the gentle side,
occasionally set off by metronomic two-tone ostinatos creating hypnotic
effects, yet you can often read Rubalcaba's force on his face. He mouths
his notes visibly, he even quietly sings along to some of these solos
like a hip Peter Frampton on his guitar's talk-box. Most telling, it's
in his face, ranging in expression from humble and penitent to nearly
overcome with grief. Though I'm no jazz aficionado, I know what I like,
and I love what I've heard here from Rubalcaba, which is playful,
whip-smart, intense and lyrical.

So maybe this grand showcase
seems to diffuse fire or improvisation, frankly it's more of the type
for showcasing Celine Dion, and at just about an hour running time with
its sole extra, it's slight for a DVD release. However, there's no
faulting the quality and finish, this is a fantastic looking and
sounding program. Depending on your jazz knowledge and love of
Rubalcaba, you'll have to decide if this sort-of musical travelogue is
something that will get you swaying, or find you looking for a live
performance on vinyl or in person. �

TrackList
01. Prologo to el Maniceros Supernova
02. Improvisation
03. Besame Mucho
04. Yolanda Anastasia



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