Disk of 2021

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Charlie Porter - 'Hindsight' - Jazzy Hour, May 25th 2021

Today we are going to listen to two different albums, as exquisite as they are representative of what jazz means nowadays, how much this mean of communication has developed and how it has been defined on the two continents where it is best represented:America, its birthplace and Europe, the environment that assimilated it and added its own aesthetic to it. We shall start with one of the most brilliant and imaginative musicians of contemporary jazz, whose music originally combines sophistication with ornate spontaneity, Grammy winner and opener of perspectives. American trumpeter Charlie Porter pays significant attention to detail and virtuosity and involves his sound environment in social commentary. Racism, inequality, corruption but also the side effects of progressivism are part of its instrumental manifesto without being affected by ideological fixations. The advantage is that instrumental music can be enjoyed without the need of conveying a message, we can enjoy jazz without thinking about politics as well, we experience the pure emotion of the artist who articulates his state through the instrument. The album "Hindsight" was born in the tumult of 2020 and reflects the uncertainty and emotion of the moment, but above all it is an ideal jazz event. The large group of instrumentalists assimilates the musical theme divided into two chapters: dense bop pieces, with bright improvisations and complex arrangements and more contemplative pieces, in ballad meter, sometimes complemented by voices that stressthe emphasis of social commentary. Porter's vigorous tone is evident throughout the repertoire, but that doesn't distract from the contribution of other brilliant instrumentalists such as guitarist Mike Moreno, pianist Orrin Evans, saxophonist Nick Biello or vibraphonist Behn Gillece. Going through a year of isolation, our minds must adapt to the whims of space and time, and musicians reflect this aspect in their music. Very good musicians really turn everything into something concise and enjoyable. It would be interesting to return to these albums in a few years to perceive more clearly how these times were seen in terms of jazz composition. "Hindsight" remains divided as themes and moods, but coherent and focused as an artistic act.