Roberto Occhipinti
A Bend In The River
Alma Records
www.almarecords.com

Hilario Duran Trio
Motion
Alma Records
www.almarecords.com
By George W. Harris

These two discs are linked together by the common denominator of
bassist Roberto Occhipinti, who leads the quartet plus strings on one
disc while providing workmanship support on the other. He’s got the
feel, the time, and the vision to become a major factor on the jazz
scene.

His own disc finds him in the company of Luis Deniz/as, David
Virelles/p, Dafnis Prieto/dr and an elegant chamber group that include
strings, woodwinds and trumpet. The effect on songs like “Umbria” and
“That’s That” is a rich and cohesive mixture of melodies and solos that
coalesce into an organic whole. The seams of each instrument weave
together like a Raphael tapestry, with an almost 3 dimensional quality
to the music. Everyone in the working quartet gets some solo space,
Deniz has an alarmingly warm horn sound, while Prieto is his usually
nimble self. Their reading of Coltrane’s “Naima” brings out nuances
that are rarely appreciated in other versions-it’s as if they simply
changed the spotlight on an impressionistic painting to bring out new
colors. Wondrous and wonderful music here.

Cuban pianist Hilario Duran brings in Occhipinti and drummer Mark Kelso
for a set of thrilling originals. He has an exciting approach to the
ivories, but doesn’t get self indulgent in the solos. He is able to
sharpen his swords with Kelso on the flashy match on “For Emiliana” as
well as shift gears like a 59 ‘Vette on “Havana City.” Most of the
tunes have a romantic lyricism, with moods changing as if one were
walking down different neighborhoods, while the title track is an all
out bunsen burner of a workout. If Eddie Harris had grown up on Calle
54, he’d have put out something like this. Muy bueno!