SIENDO PERRO

Recorded in 2010, this is the third album by this Chilean band evolved from the ashes of Fulano (thanks to reedman Christian Crisosto). This is also an album showing a perfectly controlled maturity, from the writing for wind ensemble to the cooking of groovy lines. Crisosto's daughter Regina also gets an increasing role, clearly in evidence from the first track on, where her vocal scat wails on the R&B flavoured tune; upfront solo, recitating or singing in unisson with other instruments, she adds a firm touch to the whole. With three musicians playing a broad assortment of wind instruments (saxes, clarinets and flutes), this will surprise no one to say that this album is a brassy affair! Mediabanda's strength lies imo in the clever ensemble playing and writing the reedmen are exposed to: be it unisson or contrapuntic lines, free blowing, wild soloing (check the solo at break neck speed and doubled tempo on track 5!), fantastic dynamics ( track 8, launched by a gong, offers incredible atmospheric dynamic up and downs, ending in a free rolling bass clarinet backed by the rest of the band), the horns rule! Another strength is the stylistic versatility, coupled to the *role* associated to certain instruments: the bass is often funky, with plenty of slap; track 4 seems to be very close in its rhythmic structure to Miles' hit Jean-Pierre; guitars are responsible for the heavy tunes (tracks 5 , 7) but also deliver a great work on harmonics, picked syncopated lines or atmospheric sequences; the saxophone is jazz symbol number one and inspiring solos abound here! All this nailed firmly by Christian Hirth's dynamic and flexible drum playing, an important basis and pushing element that shouldn't be forgotten. Maybe the band's versatility can be pointed at its best in the third track, the longest too, exceeding ten minutes. Sustained throughout by a rhythm pattern in 11/4, you'll hear passing by atmospheric airy vocals, superb guitar harmonics, syncopated sax/voice lines, another ascending one with vocal scat, overtaken by a doubling of the tempo and a fantastic free sax solo! Another shot by an intelligent band, enjoy!