When does a duet means that the music is thinner than with a bigger ensemble? Well, when the duo in question isn’t the one formed by the Portuguese trumpeter Luís Vicente and the Luso-Catalan drummer Vasco Trilla, both known for their endless resources, sound wise and in terms of the grammars they use to turn the technical procedure we call improvisation to the aesthetics of improvised music. At the beginning of each piece reunited in “A Brighter Side of Darkness” it’s obvious we’re listening to a duo, but the music has an ascensional motion: it slowly builds from almost nothing to a huge, dense, complex construction, with walls, corners and forniture, growing in height, in walking space and in contenance. Suddenly, without realising it, we testify just by listening an out-of-body experience. It’s when the music gets more physical that these two spontaneous composers leave their bodies, and the bodies of their instruments, to give us what is one of the most fulfilling works of spiritual music in present times. As such, you have here a brilliant companion for those transcendental albums you love since you discovered the devotional music of John Coltrane, even though Vicente’s and Trilla’s adhesion to “theomusical subjectivity” do not have a religious motivation. They found the Absolute, the invisible Other, in the music itself, the same way Aldous Huxley did and made this novelist write that «after silence, that which comes nearest to express the inexpressible is music». You don’t want to miss this.
credits
released March 22, 2019
Luis Vicente - trumpet
Vasco Trilla - drums and percussion
All music by Luis Vicente and Vasco Trilla
Recorded by Rafael Lopez aka Lopinski at Golden Apple Studio, Bcn,27-02-2018 | Mixed and Mastered by Marcelo Dos Reis
Produced by Luis Vicente and Vasco Trilla | Executive production by Pedro Costa for Trem Azul | Design by Travassos | Photo by Konrad Zelazo | Text by Rui Eduardo Paes
supported by 4 fans who also own “A Brighter Side of Darkness”
This record has such a magical flow to it, it seems to capture so directly the ups and downs of life, the joy of music and dance, and it's just so damn catchy and fun to listen to as well. Giles
supported by 4 fans who also own “A Brighter Side of Darkness”
This record at times is the sum of its parts and the strength of its parts. At times, you can plainly tell the player from 100 yards away with your eyes closed, but then you can hear them echoing the ghosts of those who came before them. An incredibly brilliant record from 3 master blasters! pjnewman-364
Jazz bassist Nim Sadot pays homage to the life of his his late grandfather, a Polish artist who escaped a Soviet labor camp. Bandcamp New & Notable Sep 1, 2022
Trumpeter Harry Spencer’s orchestral modern jazz has cinematic scope, inspired here by dissidents throughout history. Bandcamp New & Notable Oct 3, 2023
supported by 4 fans who also own “A Brighter Side of Darkness”
Simply amazing to hear a new album with Wadada and Ewart!! ...And Reed rounds out this trio beautifully.
Just gave it my first spin. Absolutely magical. jeffrey maurer