SEBASTIAN SCHUNKE - VIDA PURA (2007)

a great vision of how latin jazz is going to sound in the future...

Sebastian Schunke - piano, composition (Berlin)

Olvido Ruiz - vocals (havana)

Felipe Cabrera - bass

Chris Dahlgreen - bass

Michael Haves - bass

Lukmil Perez - drums

Philipp Bernhard - drums

Mario Morejon Hernandez "El Indio"  - trumpet

 Dan Freeman - sax

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review by Paul J. Youngman - KJA Advocate for VINILEMANIA.NET

Hot, hot, hot is the meeting of sensuous vocalist Olvido and debonair pianist Sebastian Schunke. The music presented on their recording Vida Pura is Latin, Olvido sings in Spanish. She has a strong voice, a pleasant sounding tone, she sings in a traditional folk style of phrasing, an is reminiscent of the magnificent Omara Portuondo. Sebastian Schunke brings to the mix another fantastic line up of supporting musicians. I’m sure this is one of the strongest groups in Europe. If you like your music tinged with spice? If you like to hear romantic vocals accompanied by sumptuous piano and you wish to have it all wrapped up in one of the best rhythm sections around you must check out this recording.

Vida Pura is a mix of vocal and instrumental music. The foundation is pure jazz; the flavours are Latin based, Cuban savvy, New York heavy and European classical. The members of the band must surely live a pure life in order to play with such grace and spirituality. There are two groups of musicians working with Schunke and Olvido. The majority of the songs, five of them, feature the rhythm section of Lukmil Perez (drums) and Felipe Cabrera (bass) as well as the outstanding, near legendary, Mario Morejon “El Indio” (trumpet, soprano saxophone, Shekere). The other group features Michael Halves (bass), Philipp Bernhard (drums) and Dan Freeman (tenor saxophone).

On the title track Chris Dahlgren substitutes on bass, El Indio adds tasteful trumpet licks. The tune opens with a catchy bass line; the piano joins in and sets the melody for Olvido who raps over the melodic trumpet lines. The song takes on a Tango flavour, gets trippy and weaves and wavers through some musical awakening. Olvido near orgasmo in one section chants, screams, squeals and adds lots of heavy breathing. As the smoke clears the band comes back to the main chorus, with a serene calm, a little talking, and a duet of vocalizing fronts a sensual trumpet solo in the background that makes all the effects well worthwhile.

The recording is made up of ten songs. The creation of the compositions is split between Schunke and Olvido. Olvido is credited with writing most of the lyrics. Schunke has written seven of the songs. The songs that he has contributed have an open feeling to them. They are pretty songs; he has a minimalist style that allows him to say a lot with a few well place chords and single notes that speak volumes. A couple of tracks are played as a duet, “Alma Sola” by Olvido and Schunke and “Todos Los Ojos” by Pablo Milanes. Olvido and Schunke are found complimenting each other in endearing tones of beauty, striking dynamics and con passione on both tracks.

The bassist Felipe Cabrera adds one song entitled “696” a ballad that flows with pleasing tones and enchanting vocals. The bass is given a lengthy solo; the playing of Mr. Cabrera is fantastic. The rhythm section lays back for much of the song, providing excellent support to the featured lead instrument, the soprano saxophone, as played by “El Indio”, simply outstanding.