Solo

Gonzalo Rubalcaba | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (November 22, 2011)
• Original Release Date: 2006
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Blue Note
• ASIN: B000EBDAB6
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #224,601 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

"I felt the necessity to create an album of secrets, letters and notes, and photos. Something like an aural diary," writes Cuban pianist Gonzalo Rubalcaba in the liner notes of Solo, his first proper solo effort in two decades. Indeed, much of the disc plays like a hushed homage to moods, thoughts, feelings, and ideas, anchored by Rubalcaba richly emotive piano work. The pianist earned much of his acclaim via collaborations with groups and has worked with bassists Charlie Haden, Ron Carter and saxophonist Joe Lovano. Solo, however, finds Rubalcaba soaring on the strength of his own talent. Kick-off interlude "Rezo (Praise Be)" is based on Afro-Cuban melodies sung during Santeria rites, and "Silencio" is a moving bolero tribute. Rubalcaba has include material here that he has previously recorded--including the standard "Besame Mucho"--but he reworks it, giving the songs a fresh urgency. Solo also includes four improvisations ("Paseo Iluminado," "Paseo en Media Luz," "Paseo Azul" and "Paseo Morado") that mark the passing of a single day via environmental light. That free-form quartet was inspired by John Coltrane's "Giant Steps," but Rubalcaba manages to make them, and the rest of Solo, a wholly unique experience. --Joey Guerra

Product Description

Solo by Gonzalo Rubalcaba

This product is manufactured on demand using CD-R recordable media. Amazon.com's standard return policy will apply.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An interesting research in a free jazz field, October 31, 2009

By 

SerlEm "Terl59" (Italy) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Solo (Audio CD)

I have known GR in different jazz groups, and even in earlier solo works. I espected to listen a "classic" cuban pianist as I knew him. This is a different work, where he explores, in a cuban mood, a more free field. Don't close your ears, but... be prepared. I'm still trying to understand where he wants to go.