By Sammy Stein
Hugo Costa is a Portuguese saxophonist based in the Netherlands. He plays in
projects ranging from modern jazz to free improvisation, such as Real Mensh,
The Garuda Trio, The Land Over Water Trio, Yellow Belle Quartet, The
Rotterdam Kinematic Ensemble, and others. He has performed and recorded with
musicians, including William Parker, Rodrigo Pinheiro, Raoul van der Weide,
Marta Warelis, Alexander Frangenheim, Sofia Borges, Han-Earl Park, and
toured extensively in Europe and Japan.
In the Yellow Belle Quartet, Costa is joined by musicians from Barcelona:
Clara Lai on piano, Alex Reviriego on double bass, and Vasco Trilla on drums
and percussion.
Lai is a pianist and composer who plays multiple genres and is active in the
jazz scene in Barcelona, leading ensembles and collaborating with many
prominent musicians such as Oriol Roca, Àlex Reviriego, Ferran Fages, Albert
Cirera, and more. She has released a variety of recordings on both national
and international record labels.
Àlex Reviriego is a member of Phicus, Tholos Gateway, the Liba Villavecchia
Trio, and The Devil, Probably, as well as being a solo artist. He has
participated in a number of formations of contemporary, improvised, and
experimental music. His ferocious, angular style can be heard in dozens of
albums released on various European labels as well as in different live
settings, ranging from solo, small formations to orchestral work. He runs
the experimental tape label Hera Corp.
Vasco Trilla has recorded more than one hundred albums, ranging from free
improvisation, to progressive rock and ambient music. He has released albums
on Clean Feed Records, Cuneiform Records, NoBusiness, Not Two, and others,
and collaborated with Jamaaladeen Tacuma, Ra Kalam Bob Moses, Mars Williams,
Patrick Shiroishi, Elliot Sharp, Steve Swell, and more. He has toured
internationally and is one of the most in-demand voices of the European free
improvised scene.
From the opening track, ‘Transient Moods,’ this album creates a sense of
dialogue and connection between the musicians. On the opener, the bass line
is subtle and relentless, with sax, percussion, and piano interceding in
every conceivable space. The sax lines are melodious while the intricate
percussive motifs create a sense of contrast and interact deftly with the
piano. In the second half of the track, the mood changes to a reflective
atmosphere, enhanced by the almost continuous bell sound in the percussion.
On ‘Soft Buttons’, the sax line meanders across a background of sonic mesh
that upholds, reflects, and enhances, creating a track of many parts,
including interactive reflection and an intriguing to and fro between the
bell-like percussion and the piano that emerges under the sax line to create
an uplifting, deeply engaging track. The lightness of the percussion
contrasts wonderfully with the depth of sonic texture created by the bass
and sax.
‘Dissonancias’ is an explorative track with spiritual essences, while
‘Gracia’ is introduced with a solo from Costa, into which the other
musicians drop with delightful gusto, creating an interactive soundscape.
The percussion crescendos throughout the number, adding ever more intricate
rhythmic patterns that, teamed with the rapid-fire sax provided by Costa,
make the track completely immersive. From its opening to the quietude of the
ending, this track is five and a half minutes of full-bodied, unleashed free
playing.
‘A Lingua dos Passaros’ (Language of The Birds) is aptly named as the
ensemble creates a percussive-led, conversive piece akin to an awakening of
many different types of sound. Trilla makes full use of the deeper drum
sounds to create an atmosphere of strength and power which underlies the
track, offset by intricate piano and steadfast bass. ‘Yellow Belle’ closes
the album and is the clarion call of the group, encompassing each musician
in both solo and support roles, intertwining, and reacting as appropriate,
finishing this involved musical conversation that is as relevant to the
listener as it is evidently to the musicians.
Costa told me about this recording, “I wanted to play with Vasco Trilla
because he’s a unique drummer. I’ve been listening to his records,
especially those with Mars Williams as a sax-drums duo, which I love. I
invited Vasco to play as a duo and went to Barcelona, where he’s based. At
the same time, I invited Clara and Alex to play as a quartet. They are both
amazing musicians. It was a perfect opportunity to play with all these
musicians I admire. We went to the studio and did a session where we played
together for the first time as a quartet. The music is dynamic, with
everyone listening to each other. There was a great energy between everyone,
with each musician bringing their unique approach. We were so pleased with
the result that we decided to release it. I also recorded a duo with Vasco,
to be released soon.”
Costa has brought together a remarkable set of musicians. They have achieved
an album that embodies melody and includes free improvisation and musical
understanding that speaks loudly to the listener. The charisma of this
ensemble is enchanting, and the music superb.