Thursday, February 3, 2022

Sebastián de Urquiza - Unity Vol. 2 (ears&eyes Records)

Sebastián de Urquiza Unity is a project inspired by the experience of having lived and shared the stage with some of the greatest jazz influences. Being from Argentina, it is a record inspired by the different cultures he had been in touch with during his time living in Switzerland.

Counting on musicians from different parts of the world, the main goal was to explore different aspects of music, thus providing a space for each artist to express themselves in a colorful and climatic environment, at times very energetic, and others very intimate. With vol. 1 and 2, Urquiza has divided the bigger picture into a "bright side" and a "dark side". The first is cheerful, although it has moments of reflection, it tends to go towards the light. On the other hand, the second (this current Vol. 2) is more reflective, with more intimate climates. If there is something that unites the two, it is that they are very colorful, with singing melodies that go through intense harmonic movements, and always full of rich interaction. Each piece has a particular job, and the names of them are what they evoke.

It can be implied by the music that de Urquiza is a musician in constant growth, and that he is very open about music. It can be appreciated that, although jazz and improvisation are what unite the group, they can do it in different musical environments and still achieve that unity that Urquiza proposes with the title of the album. Meticulous writing, standard forms, songs, moments of well academic music, stories, lyrics of different themes are just some of the things that the composer shows with this work. 

1. Acorralado 07:29
2. Tema y Variaciones 09:38
3. Lo Que Nos Hace Ser 05:12
4. Sinking 00:47
5. Pausa 06:14
6. Sometimes I Dream 05:25
7. Cottontail 07:33

Oscar Latorre - trumpet (Spain)
Sam Barnett - alto sax (England)
Charley Rose - tenor sax (France)
Yossi Itskovich - trombone (Israel)
Iannis Obiols - piano (Spain)
Silvan Joray - guitar (Switzerland)
Jordi Pallares - drums (Spain)
Sebastián de Urquiza - contrabass, vocals & compositions (Argentina)

Special guests:
Clara Díaz - vocals (Argentina)
Ezequiel Brizuela - flute (Argentina)

Recorded by Daniel Somaroo at JazzCampus Studio in Basel, Switzerland
Mixed and mastered by Sam Barnett in Basel, Switzerland
Original art and design by Sebastian de Urquiza