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It's a shame we don't know much about today's South American jazz scene.Traditionally,region's jazz associates with Latin jazz and bossa novas what for sure has strong historical reason.
Paula Shocron is a younger generation Argentinian pianist who already has a numerous collection of released albums. Her music has strong mainstream jazz roots, but always sounds very modern. Paula doesn't avoid freer improvisations and even on more traditional songs she uses lot of non-conventional moves to make her music sounds fresh and less predictable.
"Perceppciones" is collaborative album, released by Paula's and Argentinian guitarist Marcelo Gutfraind co-led quartet, and it is an excellent example of Argentinian modern jazz at its best.
Marcello studied at Berklee in US and on return to Argentina plays as session artist with local musicians and teaches music as well. He has released three albums as leader, and on "Perceptiones" he simply steals the show.
Seven album's compositions (all - Paula or Marcelo originals) cover wide range of jazz sub-genres. Mostly rooted in hard/post bop, each composition has own tune,tells own story and without restrictions demonstrates brief tours towards fusion, Latin,chamber jazz and some more. Marcello guitar sound is warm, liquid and placed a bit in front of sound mix it leads listener from very beginning till the album last note. Paula's piano solo are really nice, but there aren't still Marcelo guitar dominates almost everywhere.Rhythm section is competent but them are obviously on support of two leaders.
With our (non-South American residents) limited knowledge of continent's modern jazz scene, this album gives an excellent possibility to ensure how interesting and stirring it can be.Unfortunately, as all other Paula Shocron and Marcelo Gutfraind albums, "Percepciones" is released in Argentina only so has only limited accessibility for foreign listeners.