The music of Latin America often doesn't fit nicely into classical or popular categories, and American guitarist
Jason Vieaux and bandoneonist and accordionist
Julien Labro take that idea and run with it on this thoroughly enjoyable little release from the Azica label from the rough streets of Cleveland's east side.
Vieaux and
Labro, at times accompanied by bass and drums jazz style, include a free arrangement of music by
Astor Piazzolla (Escualo), who is a staple of such programs, and an adaptation of the Tres Danzas Concertante of the equally good and equally innovative
Leo Brouwer, who is less often heard. Still less common, at least outside Brazil, is the Suite Retratos of Brazilian composer
Radamés Gnattali. This "portrait suite" depicts the music of four other Brazilian musicians, each in a few deft strokes. The piece may mean more to Brazilians or Brazilian music enthusiasts, but it's compact and colorful for anyone.
Vieaux and
Labro also look to American music with a Latin jazz work of
Pat Metheny (who transfers beautifully to this context) and end with an arrangement of a
Tears for Fears song, which is not at all out of place and elegantly throws into relief the currents of popular music that have run through the entire program. Superbly recorded at the Cleveland Institute of Music, this recording offers new directions in Latin American repertory and is satisfying from start to finish. ~ James Manheim