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David Virelles: Antenna

By Mark Sullivan
November 22, 2016
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Pianist/composer

David Virelles

piano
b.1983

" data-original-title="" title="">David Virelles has combined his Cuban heritage with jazz before, most notably on his 2014 ECM leader debut Mb��k��, which had the subtitle "Sacred Music for Piano, Two Basses, Drum Set and Biankom��ko Abaku��." But this EP—which is being released exclusively on vinyl and digitally—takes things in an entirely new electro-acoustic direction. It's a dense sonic stew of improvisation and ritual rhythmic grooves, a sound both urban and traditional.

"Binary" opens with the sound of Los Seres, a fictional percussion ensemble created and programmed by Virelles. "Water, Bird Headed Mistress" flows along on an electronic arpeggio, with

Henry Threadgill

woodwinds
b.1944

" data-original-title="" title="">Henry Threadgill's plangent alto saxophone on top (Threadgill had taught Virelles composition). "Threshold" introduces

Marcus Gilmore

drums
b.1986

" data-original-title="" title="">Marcus Gilmore's drums and

Roman Diaz

percussion

" data-original-title="" title="">Roman Diaz's vocals (both appeared on Mb��k��), organic sounds in the midst of the dense electronics of Virelles and co-producer Alexander Overington, plus guitar textures from

Rafiq Bhatia

guitar

" data-original-title="" title="">Rafiq Bhatia.

"Rumbakua?" cleaves closer to Afro-Cuban tradition, courtesy of vocalist Eti��n Brebaje Man and percussionist

Mauricio Herrera

percussion

" data-original-title="" title="">Mauricio Herrera, accompanied by Virelles' electric piano and Gilmore's electronic percussion. At almost seven minutes "El Tita?n de Bronce" is by far the longest track, and is dominated by acoustic jazz piano, making its appearance at long last. The final track "Text" brings the set to a close with another brief virtual appearance of Los Seres.

This challenging, energetic set shows Virelles to be even more of an eclectic musical explorer than he had previously appeared. It has a density of musical ideas that make it seem much longer than its 22 minute running time—and I mean that as a compliment. It truly sounds like nothing else.

Learn more about our star rating system

Track Listing

Binary; Water, Bird Headed Mistress; Threshold; Rumbakua?; El Tita?n de Bronce; Text.

Personnel

David Virelles

piano

David Virelles: acoustic piano, Hammond B3 organ, Roland JUNO-6, Vermona and Wurlitzer electric pianos, prepared piano, programming, samples; Alexander Overington: electronics, samples, cello; Henry Threadgill: alto saxophone (2); Rom��n D��az: vocals (3); Marcus Gilmore: drums (3,5), MPC (4); Rafiq Bhatia: guitar (3,5); Eti��n Brebaje Man: vocals (4); Mauricio Herrera: percussion (4); Los Seres: percussion (a fictional percussion ensemble, created and programmed by David Virelles) (1,6)

Album information

Title: Antenna | Year Released: 2016 | Record Label: ECM Records

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