Chicago-based drummer and composer Gustavo Cortiñas addresses global challenges with the release of his new album, The Crisis Knows No Borders, set to be released on April 11, 2025, via Desafío Candente Records

Desafío Candente Records proudly announces the April 11, 2025 release of The Crisis Knows No Borders, the latest album from esteemed drummer and composer Gustavo Cortiñas. Throughout the release, the Chicago-based artist presents a compelling musical narrative that examines sustainability and global interconnectedness, featuring an exceptional ensemble that includes guitarist Dave Miller, tenor saxophonist Jon Irabagon, and violinist Mark Feldman.

Inspired by the far-reaching socio-political and humanitarian implications of climate change, The Crisis Knows No Borders explores the existential threat posed by global warming. Crafting a vibrant book of compositions, Cortiñas highlights how these issues transcend borders, sparking armed conflicts, poverty, famine, and forced migration.

The bandleader consistently exhibits a strong conceptual focus, using his work as a platform to raise awareness of important issues. His 2021 release, Desafio Candente, presented a thorough and ambitious examination of heritage, folklore, and colonialism, featuring over 30 musicians and speakers from 11 countries across 14 tracks. In 2022, Kind Regards served as a thoughtful reflection on the immigrant experience in the United States “While my previous projects delved into colonialism and immigration,” shares Cortiñas, “I now aim to confront the existential threats to our civilization. My hope is to inspire unity and empathy through music, reminding us of our shared humanity and intertwined destinies.”

These musical compositions not only address the global challenges that confront us, but also celebrate the resilience of the human spirit and the potency of collaboration. His ensemble, exhibits remarkable synergy, embodying the interconnectedness that lies at the core of the album’s message. Cortiñas’ capacity to merge intellectual profundity with authentic emotional resonance, results in a body of work that transcends the boundaries of jazz. It stands as a significant statement regarding the role of art in addressing the urgent crises of our time, serving as a reminder that, even amidst uncertainty, music possesses the ability to unite and transform.

The opening track, “The Basic Economic Farsity,” critiques the imbalance between luxury and essential needs, contrasting urban and rural motifs and the tension between technology and nature. Similarly, “The Growth Imperative” critiques unsustainable economic practices, blending expansive motifs with unpredictable improvisation to reflect the volatility of perpetual growth. The title track, “The Crisis Knows No Borders,” emphasizes global interdependence with its folkloric melodies and shifting rhythms, urging collective action. Philosophical depth comes through in “The Man of Flesh and Bone,” a meditation on mortality inspired by Miguel de Unamuno.

Although each musician has the opportunity to showcase their individual talents, much of this music is grounded in collective improvisation. The peculiar instrumentation of the ensemble facilitates a broad variety of sounds and orchestration, allowing the group to cover a lot of ground stylistically. Cortiñas’ versatile bandmates engage with the music demonstrating both maturity and restraint, while also exhibiting powerful abandon when the composition necessitates it. They create moments of intricate interplay, rich textures through the application of effects and extended techniques, alongside exquisite passages characterized by beauty and subtlety.

The album concludes with “A Drum Solo for the End of Times,” a poignant and introspective finale that encapsulates the urgency and interconnectedness of the themes explored throughout the record. Beyond his skill as a drummer and composer, Cortiñas emerges as a storyteller, weaving intricate narratives through music that is both thought-provoking and emotionally resonant. Each track serves as a chapter in a larger story, taking listeners on an unforgettable journey that both challenges and inspires.

In The Crisis Knows No Borders, Gustavo Cortiñas boldly calls for action through music, confronting humanity’s shared challenges. The album blends intricate compositions with urgent themes, highlighting existential threats while celebrating human resilience and interdependence. Cortiñas and his ensemble encourage deep reflection, fostering empathy and unity amid a borderless crisis.

TRACKLIST

1. The Basic Economic Farsity / La Mentira Basica de la Economía (7:27)
2. The Growth Imperative / El Imperativo de Crecimiento (4:54)
3. Oil and Water Don’t Mix / El Petróleo y el Agua No Se Mezclan (6:20)
4. Skepticism / Esceptisismo (10:47)
5. Wishcycle (3:13)
6. Sea Levels Rising / Aumenta el Nivel Del Mar (6:50)
7. The Crisis Knows No Borders / La Crisis No Conoce Fronteras (5:23)
8. Your Right Under the Sun / Tu Derecho Bajo el Sol (5:15)
9. The Man of Flesh and Bone / El Hombre de Carne y Hueso (6:45) 
10. Meditation on the End of Times / Meditación Sobre el Fin de los Tiempos (5:50)

Mark Feldman – violin / violín
Jon Irabagon – tenor sax / sax tenor
Dave Miller – guitar / guitarra

Gustavo Cortiñas – drum set / batería 

from https://lydialiebman.com