Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Roberto Magris: Enigmatix

Roberto Magris: Enigmatix

By Jack Bowers
August 24, 2015
View read count

As a showcase for Italian-born pianist

Roberto Magris

piano
b.1959

" data-original-title="" title="">Roberto Magris' exceptional talents, Enigmatix works quite well. Magris, who has devoted several albums to the music of others (

Lee Morgan

trumpet
1938 - 1972

" data-original-title="" title="">Lee Morgan,

Elmo Hope

piano
1923 - 1967

" data-original-title="" title="">Elmo Hope,

Cannonball Adderley

saxophone
1928 - 1975

" data-original-title="" title="">Cannonball Adderley) and shared center stage with saxophonists

Herb Geller

saxophone
1928 - 2013

" data-original-title="" title="">Herb Geller and

Sam Reed

saxophone
1935 - 2021

" data-original-title="" title="">Sam Reed on others, turns the spotlight on himself and his keyboard this time around in a program that encompasses five of his original compositions,

Stevie Wonder

vocals
b.1950

" data-original-title="" title="">Stevie Wonder's "My Cherie Amour" and

" data-original-title="" title="">Steely Dan's "Do It Again."

In spite of the album's esoteric title, the music is resolutely transparent and accessible with no shortage of melody, harmony or rhythm. As for Magris, he is a purposeful post-bop practitioner with a dexterous right hand and keen musical instincts whose improvisations are consistently perceptive and engaging. He can breathe new life into ballads ("My Cherie Amour," on which he contrives a florid introduction) or swing hard when the occasion demands (as, for example, on "J.F.K. No Key"). Whatever the mood or tempo, Magris, it seems, always has some provocative ideas to share.

His bandmates are no less earnest, and together they help make Enigmatix a delight to hear and appreciate. Bassist

Dominique Sanders

bass

" data-original-title="" title="">Dominique Sanders is steady, drummer

Brian Steever

drums

" data-original-title="" title="">Brian Steever flexible, while percussionist Pablo Sanhueza adds buoyancy and color. Vocalist Monique Danielle sits in on "No Sadness," lending a charming voice to Magris' swaying samba. "Enigmatix," which opens the album, actually consists of two discrete parts, each of which runs for more than ten minutes (but "J.F.K. No Key," which clocks in at just under fifteen minutes, takes the prize for longest track). Like the others, "No Key" consists for the most part of Magris' resourceful ad libs, although Sanders and Steever have their moments, there and elsewhere.

For melodic warmth, leavened with percussive animation, there is "Counterparts," on which Magris and the others seem most relaxed and cheerful. Well, that's a tough call, as everything else seems to be loose and upbeat as well. As noted earlier, a spellbinding showcase for Roberto Magris whose notable artistry enables Enigmatix to stand out in a crowd.

Learn more about our star rating system

Track Listing

Enigmatix - Part 1; Counterparts; No Sadness; J.F. No Key; Enigmatix - Part 2; My Cherie Amour; Do It Again.

Personnel

Roberto Magris

piano

Roberto Magris: piano; Dominique Sanders: acoustic bass, electric bass; Brian Steever: drums; Pablo Sanhueza: congas, percussion; Monique Danielle: vocals (3).

Album information

Title: Enigmatix | Year Released: 2015 | Record Label: JMOOD* RECORDS

PREVIOUS / NEXT

Ben Haugland Quintet at The Falcon
< Previous

Satan In Plain Clothes
Next >

Support All About Jazz

All About Jazz has been a pillar of jazz since 1995, championing it as an art form and, more importantly, supporting the musicians who make it. Our enduring commitment has made "AAJ" one of the most culturally important websites of its kind, read by hundreds of thousands of fans, musicians and industry figures every month.

Go Ad Free!

To maintain our platform while developing new means to foster jazz discovery and connectivity, we need your help. You can become a sustaining member for as little as $20 and in return, we'll immediately hide those pesky ads plus provide access to future articles for a full year. This winning combination vastly improves your AAJ experience and allow us to vigorously build on the pioneering work we first started in 1995. So enjoy an ad-free AAJ experience and help us remain a positive beacon for jazz by making a donation today.