Sputnik Trio - Time Hunt (February 2022 Sentencia Records)

Sputnik Trio is the temporary autonomous zone where alto saxophonist Ricardo Tejero, bassist Marco Serrato, and percussionist Borja Díaz meet from time to time. Their self-titled debut album was recorded in 2013; that was followed by "Live Betrayal" in 2016 and "What The Hate" in 2021. They have also released two albums as a quartet with saxophonist Colin Webster, "Spain Is The Place" and "Matadero".

"Time Hunt" seems to derive its title from ‘Time Hunters’, the final track on "What The Hate". That piece was a 16-minute abstract drone, Serrato’s bass groaning like a wooden ship’s hold as Díaz’s cymbals hissed and air seemed to escape Tejero’s horn on its own. This album goes in a different direction; it’s Sputnik Trio’s most conventionally swinging release to date.

The first piece, ‘Bird of Pray’, begins with gently dancing cymbal triplets and deep bass booms, as the saxophone drifts in. Tejero plays a slow and reverent melody that gradually increases in intensity until it’s a mournful cry. ‘Will Be Back’, introduced by a bowed bass line, has a fitful stop-start energy and a hypnotic, singsong melody with a keening, Middle Eastern quality. ‘Headless Walk’ fades in like it’s already been going on for hours, a cool blues shuffle that allows Tejero to wander as far as the spirit will take him. On the shortest track, ‘Tar or Cox’, Serrato plays a Jimmy Garrison-esque strummed line as the sax spits out rough, incantatory lines. It all ends with the almost hymnlike ‘Three Times Ura’, bringing the listener gently down to earth.

The members of Sputnik Trio speak the language of free jazz, but they understand it’s not always necessary to scream and shout. Time Hunt is a thoughtful, emotionally resonant album that welcomes you in and feels like home.

PHIL FREEMAN (Burning Ambulance, The Wire, Stereogum; author of "Ugly Beauty: Jazz in the 21st Century") 

1. Bird of Pray 11:11

2. Will Be Back 05:11

3. Headless Walk 09:52

4. Tar or Cox 03:47

5. Three Times Ura 05:10

Ricardo Tejero: alto sax

Marco Serrato: bass

Borja Díaz: drums

Time Hunt was recorded at La Mina Estudios, Sevilla on 28th February 2020.

Mixed at Happy Place Estudios, Sevilla.

Recorded and mixed by Nacho García.

Cover photo: Marco Serrato

Design: Borja Díaz

Layout: Gonzalo Santana

Liner notes: Phil Freeman

PRE-ORDER

Dominic Lash Quartet - LIMULUS (November 26, 2021)

Ricardo's work ranges through different styles and aesthetics but his main concern and interest has been free improvisation in all its forms.His approach to music and aesthetic realm has been evolving as his own personality has too but, above all, he maintains a constant interest for music as an integral creative act. He worked in many projects and countries with and wide variety of musicians.

Third record of DLQ. This is a life concert recording made at Café Oto (London) during the DLQ´s 2019 UK tour.

1. Alexithymia 08:51

2. Cylindrical 06:34

3. Dactyloscopy 10:50

4. From a theme by F.S 06:23

5. Isthmus 09:07

6. Improvisation / Structures 09:46

Dominic Lash, doublebass and compositions

Alex Ward, electric guitar

Ricardo Tejero, alto sax

Javier Carmona, drums and percussion

Recorded by Shaun Crook

Edited, mixed and mastered by Alex Ward

Artwork by Matthew Grigg

Liner notes of cd by Alexander Hawkins, ex member of this band.

Spoonhunt Records

PREORDER

Bruo Duo - Episodes (May 2021)

These thematic episodes emerged from structuring a wholly spontaneous recording session, in the habit built by two musicians and friends who have shared musical sensitivity and experiences for a long time.

1. Vaulting Caves 06:08

2. Shaded Naves 05:02

3. 3.2 Mhz 03:05

4. 1.4 Mhz 07:35

5. 3.3 Mhz 02:30

6. Chording 04:34

7. Hoquetus 03:24

8. Marcha Frigia 05:56

9. Phrasing 03:16

10. Creature I 02:51

11. Creature II 04:51

12. Creature III 06:05

13. Creature IV 04:25

14. Lighthouse 02:59

15. Caleidoscopio 05:12

16. Open Windows 07:30

Paloma Carrasco López on piano and cello

Ricardo Tejero on saxes and clarinet

All music by Paloma Carrasco López and Ricardo Tejero

Recorded by Javier Ortiz at Estudios Brazil (Madrid, Spain) on 26th of February 2017

Mixed and mastered by Ernesto Santana

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Ensemble Progresivo - Hesitancy (May 2021)

The concept of Progression in this record is ever-present in the work of this band. Following the principle of non-repetition and ephimeral existence that free improvised music has at its core, the Ensemble Progresivo aims to draw upon what they like to call "Progressions": pieces where the structures is prearranged using a combination of references and musical elements work out by Ricardo Tejero, achieveing a different form every time a new "Progression" is played.

In this way, every time the band performs they play a different "written progression", or piece, never to be repeated again. There are now 27 progressions writen and played.

In this album there are a number of pieces played by the whole band and 4 pieces where Ricardo Tejero makes a duo with each memeber of the band.

1. Progresion 22. Misnuet 05:05

2. Progresion 25. F.A.Q 04:00

3. Progresion 19. Ida y Vuelta 05:48

4. Progresion 27. Double R 02:44

5. Progresion 20. Dilema 19:09

6. Progresion 24. Moundfield 02:01

7. Progresion 21. Mannock 07:44

8. Progresion 23. For Ana 04:55

9. Progresion 26. Tic-Tak.Toe 01:32

Ricardo Tejero, alto sax, tenor sax, clarinet and compositions/idea;

Alison Blunt, violin

Adrian Northover, alto and soprano saxes

Marcio Mattos, cello and electronics

Roberto Sassi, electric guitar

Pre-order