A bustling highly disciplined hard bop-centred record are first impressions here from tenorist Diego Rivera. With Alex Sipiagin joining Rivera in the front line steering the rhythm section of pianist Art Hirahara, bassist Boris Kozlov and drummer Rudy Royston in a straighatead direction there is also a pervasive latin twist throughout the record with 'Rasquache' in this regard an early highlight.
The group finds plenty of historic jazz resourcefulness because the record is steeped in 60s sounds. So Rivera on 'Teru' delivers a very old fashioned tenor statement on the Wayne Shorter ballad that featured on Adam's Apple and another significant moment on the album. Tracks also include a version of Kenny Dorham's 'Escapade' which Joe Henderson covered on Our Thing.
Rivera's own songs include 'Canción De Cuna' inspired by the injustice of separation along the south west border of the US and Rivera's experience as a Mexican American is an important component in the themes this fine tenorist chooses to write about. Clear composition is key to the album's success and there is a lot of heart in what the band play and why it connects as an appealing and immersive listen. Out in February. Diego Rivera photo: Anna Yatskevich
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