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Rodrigo Faina and Change Ensemble: Different Roots

By Jerome Wilson
April 25, 2021
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Rodrigo Faina and Change Ensemble: Different Roots

This is not the usual large ensemble jazz recording. Instead of having instrumental groups play against each other, this music moves largely as a massed force with only sparing solo statements. It carries the gravity and weight of classical music and mixes in the harmonies and colors of jazz composers like

Gil Evans

composer / conductor
1912 - 1988

" data-original-title="" title="">Gil Evans and

Kenny Wheeler

flugelhorn
1930 - 2014

" data-original-title="" title="">Kenny Wheeler with occasional blasts of other musical forms like rock and tango. It is the work of

Rodrigo Faina

composer / conductor
b.1976

" data-original-title="" title="">Rodrigo Faina, a composer born and raised in Argentina who now lives in the Netherlands. His pieces here are inspired by the writings of Argentine authors Jorge Luis Borges and Julio Cortazar, carrying the thoughtful and mysterious flavor of their work and even utilizing spoken passages from their writings.

The music is performed by Change Ensemble, an unit of twenty-three musicians with various backgrounds in classical ,jazz and pop that specializes in performing new, genreless music. They bring out the subtle layers of beauty in these pieces. "At Night" has vocalist

Fanny Alofs

vocals

" data-original-title="" title="">Fanny Alofs expressively speaking Cortozar's text, "Spirit of the Bear," over repeated piano chords and a plush background hum that eventually gives way to a melodic flugelhorn solo by Gerard Kleijn, that floats along as the music slowly rises and turns in a warm, enveloping effect. "Deep, Dark and Blue" sweeps upwards in more of a slow jazz progression. Alofs' wordless voice leads a sensuous wave of horns while

Marcos Baggiani

drums

" data-original-title="" title="">Marcos Baggiani's drum work deliberately paces and guides the music's path. The same languid air permeates "An Installment of Time" which features slow tinkling percussion as the reeds fan out like a wheezing accordion and Alofs adds an element of quietly melodious spoken word.

The mood shifts dramatically on "A Room Full Of People." The ensemble surges heavier and louder and the drums become violent. This leads to the ensemble's long, menacing chords doing battle with guitarist

Guillermo Celano

guitar, electric

" data-original-title="" title="">Guillermo Celano as he carves out twisted heavy rock sounds in the

Terje Rypdal

guitar
b.1947

" data-original-title="" title="">Terje Rypdal manner, To the other extreme, "If I'm To Live" could almost serve as part of a religious service. The brass and woodwinds breathe together in a full, reedy sound that resembles a pipe organ as Alofs solemnly sings like a classical soprano.

The Change Ensemble's interpretations are an important part in conveying the depth and awe of Faina's work, but a bonus track shows how his music works in a more conventional jazz orchestra setting. This is "Dreams" played by the Metropole Orkest. It is a tense, noirish track with stabbing brass and shivering strings that sounds like the

Stan Kenton

piano
1911 - 1979

" data-original-title="" title="">Stan Kenton Orchestra doing a crime movie soundtrack. It goes on to incorporate both giddy rock guitar and soothing layers of strings all supported by a relentlessly running bass line. It shows another aspect of Fania's gift for creating vivid atmospheres.

This entire project shows off a singular compositional voice. Rodrigo Fania draws from multiple genres to create music of grandeur and beauty that effectively blends in elements of unease and uncertainty. It is a jazz-classical hybrid of rare richness and one of the most compelling releases of the year so far.

Learn more about our star rating system

Track Listing

Opening; Deep, Dark and Blue; At Night; A Room Full Of People; An Installment Of Time; If I'm To Live; Deep, Dark and Blue (alternate version); Dreams (bonus track).

Personnel

Rodrigo Faina

composer / conductor

Fanny Alofs

vocals

Nils van Haften

saxophone

Gerard Kleijn

trumpet

Guillermo Celano

guitar, electric

Marcos Baggiani

drums

Folkert Oosterbeek

piano

Jules Buckley

composer / conductor

Daniel Quiles Cascant

trombone

Dave Kutz

tuba

Victor Belmonte

trombone, bass

Erwin ter Bogt

trumpet

Marc Kaptijn

trumpet

Stefanie Liedtke

bassoon

Iman Spaargaren

saxophone, tenor

Kees Krabben

saxophone, alto

Paul van der Feen

saxophone

Lars Wouters

clarinet

Ilse Eijsink

clarinet, bass

Marieke Franssen

flute

Additional Instrumentation

Clemens van der Feen: double bass ; Jasper Le Clercq: violin; Nina Hitz: cello; Rodrigo Faina: electric guitar.

Album information

Title: Different Roots | Year Released: 2021 | Record Label: Red Piano Records

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