Portuguese trumpeter Luís Vicente stood out last year as one of the most brilliant, most opinionated musicians in the vibrant scene of Lisbon, leading the free jazz trio Clocks and Clouds trio (with pianist Rodrigo Pinheiro and double bass player Hernani Faustino from the Red Trio) on its debut (FMR, 2014) and taking part in the free improvisation quintet Fail Better! debut (Zero Sum, JACC, 2014). «Opacity»
is Vicente sophomore album with Finish, Lisbon-based electronics artist and percussionist Jari Marjamäki, after «Alternate Translations» (MiMi, 2013). As on the duo debut it is a collection of live, real-time free improvisations turned into compositions, recorded in different locations, spaces but this time with guest musicians.
Vicente sound in this expanded duo format seeks less coherent colors and tones than the powerful, intense ones of the Clocks and Clouds trio, still, has a strong, personal feel and phrasing of its own. On the opening, melancholic «Down South», or the duo dreamy piece «Fractal», his effect-laden trumpet sound is close to the sonic territory of Nils Petter Molvær or Arve Henriksen in their most ethereal-atmospheric moments. But this impression changes quickly as Marjamäki set a techno-like, dancing groove on «Got That Zing» and guitarist Marcelo dos Reis (from Fail Better!) adds snaky, distorted lines, answered by Vicente rapid set of fiery, rhythmic blows. The piece with cellist Miguel Mira (from sax player Rodrigo Amado Motion Trio, playing at Vossa azz this year) set the course into distant, meditative texture, emphasizing the full, warm sound of Vicente. Later, the three pieces with French cellist Valentin Ceccaldi offer, again, another setting and feelings, this time with different interpretations of open-ended, free jazz-inspired improvisations colliding with an industrial, nuanced pulses.
Keep your ears open. Luís Vicente is one of the most interesting voices down south.
Eyal Hareuveni
Luís Vicente (tp) Jari Marjamäki (elec); Pedro Madaleno (g, 1); Marcelo dos Reis (g, 2); Miguel Mira (c, 3); Valentin Ceccaldi (c, 4, 6, 7)
