RUBÉN REINALDO

FUSIÓN OLIVICA

Free Code Jazz Records

Rubén Reinaldo, guitar/composer; Antonio Lopez Monano, organ; David Failde, drums; Gustavo Hernán, double bass.

Guitarist Rubén Reinaldo has used the olive tree as a creative inspiration for compositions on his newly released album titled, “Fusión Olivica.”    He is based in Spain, and his quartet is made up of international musicians from Spain, France and Argentina.  The first song rolls into my listening room very melodic, with a funky drum beat and a fusion-feel.  It is called, “Escuchas Teis Blues,” that translates to “You Listen to the Blues” in English.  There is an old saying among American musicians: “You Can’t Lose with the Blues.”  That perspective can be applied here.

Reinaldo sets the mood on “Latino Ribas de Sil” that lilts across my listening room with a melody I immediately want to hum along with and a groove that makes me want to get in my convertible, let the top down, and take a ride.  This is a smooth jazz tune that demonstrates what a wonderful composer Reinaldo is.

His composition “Vida en Padrenda” (Life in Padrenda) has a carefree groove and catchy melody. It’s another song that makes me want to hum along with it. His compositions not only celebrate the Olive Tree, they celebrate his Spanish home and culture. Rubén Reinaldo follows this song-salute to Padrenda (a hamlet with only about 2500 residents in Galicia) with a song he composed in memory of the Cies Islands that are also located in Galicia, Spain, at the mouth of the Ria de Vigo. This song he calls “Tres Islas Cies.”

Reinaldo has composed all the music on this album.  His talents project a love of melody. “Nubossa Bahia” gives drummer David Failde a brief time to solo. This could have been a stellar bossa Nova arrangement, but the Latin flavor and rhythms are missing.  Still, the quartet members feel comfortable with each other, like they are old friends.

“Ritmo Sobre Victoria” has a melodic beauty and closes this album. Clearly, Reinaldo enjoys improvising across the chord structure, with his guitar talents in full swing.  Rubén Reinaldo is the sparkle in this quartet, particularly shining brightly in the composer department.

Reviewed by Dee Dee McNeil

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