Diablo En Musica - Improvisations (Out In Space, 2008) ****½

Diablo En Musica is a free jazz band consisting of Herb Robertson on trumpet, Rich Messbauer on bass and Tom Sayek on drums and percussion. The album is structured in two suites "On The Phone" and "Sound Mind", the first consisting of seven tracks, the second of eight. This is free and rhytmic improvisation, with three musicians showing their instrumental skills, but more importantly also their ability to create coherent music full of intensity and openness. The music itself, with all its emotional range, gets the central place, with an exceptional sense of unity despite the variation. Some tracks are solo (bass), some duo (drum/bass, drum/trumpet, bass/trumpet) and some trio, which does not give a real feeling of a band playing music, yet that 's not really important. It's the music and the overall effect that counts. Those familiar with Herb Robertson should not be deterred by his reputation of very avant-garde releases, because this album is relatively accessible, quite soulful, meditative at moments, with more often than not a rhythmic foundation. Themes and melodies are absent, but the sheer musicality of the album transcends the need for those. I hope this is not a one-time effort by this band. Highly recommended.

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