Racons

Jordi Matas Quintet

After "All That Matas", his first CD (FSNT 176), Jordi Matas presents his second album, Racons. The Jordi Matas Quintet is one of the most interesting formations in Barcelona’s jazz scene today, not only thanks to Jorge Rossy, one of the most renowned Catalan jazzmen, but also thanks to Matas’ compositional strength and the vitality they transmit in every note.
The rest of members are not to be dismissed, though. Martí Serra is one of the most required saxophonists in the city (Raynald Colom Quintet, Giulia Valle Group). Oscar Domènech is an emerging drummer who has already participated in many recordings for Fresh Sound (Mirage, Hat) and Pere Loewe is one of the most experienced bass players in Spain (Favio Miano, Perico Sambeat, Chano Domínguez). Jordi Matas has been awarded the last two years by the “Associació de Jazz i Música Moderna de Catalunya” as best guitar player 2004 and as best new musician 2003.

""Racons" is the distilled work of a band that has stuck together for five years. I have composed every track with the musicians who would play it in mind. I’ve been lucky enough to find people like Martí, Jorge, Pere and Oscar, people willing to share my music and to evolve each composition as far as it would stretch. Last, I’d like to thank James Farber, who has made this group sound in ways I wouldn't have dared to dream. I hope you enjoy listening to the music as much as I've enjoyed playing it."
- Jordi Matas

Tracklisting:

1. After the Gig 8:45
2. Vacio 5:49
3. Final para una Suite de Verano 5:47
4. El Perseguidor 5:36
5. Belleza Oculta 5:47
6. El Reencuentro 6:40
7. Stars Drawing 6:07
8. Raco 7:23
9. Tiana 4:51
10. Christmas Song 2:51
11. Abril Dance 3:13

All tracks by Jordi Matas.
Recorded by Jordi Matas at Bon Repos, August 2004-January 2005.
Mixed by James Farber at Shelter Studio Island Sound.

Reviews:

"”After The Gig,” the opening track on Racons, sounds like an electrified Oregon—not so much because of the instrumentation as the metrically loose but rhythmically sophisticated interplay of the quintet. That said, the reedy and lilting soprano sax work of Marti Serra runs through the track with Paul McCandless' shoes on.

Jordi Matas is a fine writer of sometimes dark, sometimes playful electric music that sits solidly in the modern guitar tradition. He's done an excellent job recruiting his band, including the stellar Jorge Rossy, whose Fender Rhodes playing is the perfect complement to the denser moments of Matas' own guitar accompaniment. (And yes, Jorge Rossy is usually the drummer with Brad Mehldau's band.)

If you're an electric guitarist who uses the guitar for its space-filling properties rather than for shredding, it can be a challenge to escape the shadow of Bill Frisell. Matas does an admirable job crafting his own sound, and he manages to find something interesting to do in each piece, whether it's the descending arpeggio figure on “Vacio” or the angular solo on ”Final Para Una Suite De Verano.”

This is Matas' second record for Fresh Sound New Talent. As on his debut, All That Matas, he wrote every tune here. There are several standouts, including those mentioned above and “Belleza Oculta,” an intricate duet between Matas' guitar and Rossy's acoustic piano. The piece surges forward and retreats, carried along at times by Matas doubling his guitar with a pleasant falsetto.

This is an album that bears repeated listening from a guitarist who deserves more exposure."
- Jason Crane, All About Jazz

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