Rodrigo Amado: The Flame Alphabet

Rodrigo Amado (sax)

The Flame Alphabet (Not Two Records; 2013)

Gabriel Ferrandini (durms)

Jeb Bishop (trombone)

Miguel Mira (cello)

I've come to learn that each Rodrigo Amado record is going to be exciting and a challenge. With his out Motion Trio added by Chicago trombonist, Jeb Bishop, Amado delivers another fun and energetic performance that keeps the ear attuned.

The Flame Alphabet is the quartet's first studio album, following their live debut, Burning Live At Ao Centro.

You would think that in the studio the vibe would be contained and little less vibrant. You would be sorely mistaken. The sound is still bold with lots of urgency. "Burning Mountain" and "Flame Alphabet" both have Amado in fine form. Tearing into notes and undulating patterns like a reincarnated Archie Shepp. Bishop flexibility allows for great interaction between both Amado and Ferrandini which makes for some excellent concentration on the listeners end. But it is extremely rewarding.

"Into The Valley" is a scaled back piece. Amado's horn is sparse, while the rest of group revolves around a small series of improvised tones. This all comes crashing against fierce lines delivered by Mira and Ferrandini as the track moves forward. "The Healing" closes the album with grace. A ballad the drifts gently on the waves of Amado's notes. But Bishop provides a tones that almost feels like a trumpet.

Rodrigo Amado's new ensemble is a spot-on quartet that delivers with every note. Detailed, intricate, electrifying and inventive from beginning to end. The Flame Alphabet is an album that you will come back to--again and again.

Rodrigo Amado: Burning Live At Jazz Ao Centro

Rodrigo Amado (sax)

Burning Live At Jazz Ao Centro (JACC Records; 2012)

Jeb Bishop (trombone)

Miguel Mira (cello)

Gabriel Ferrandini (drums)

A brief set but long in the compositional sense, Burning Live At Jazz Ao Centro, sees Rodrigo Amado in blistering form. This is a fierce recording of a live event that was probably exciting and very intense on concentration.

This group consists of Amado's Motion Trio augmented by trombonist Jeb Bishop (known not only for his own groups as well as his work with Ken Vandermark). For this live evening, Bishop provides strong, bold muscular lines that challenge the rest of the trio. "Burning Live" is just as it says--a fiery opener that later rounds into a rhythmic pattern that hovers almost blues-like thanks to Bishop. Ferrandini adds the abstract passages against Bishop's notes as both Amado and Mira quietly begin to re-emerge and set the piece aflame again. The quartet finally comes resting with calm clashes but still a heavy spirit.

"Imaginary Caverns" moves like a ballad but with the philosophy of free association. Quiet motifs soon rise and fall with Amado and Ferrandini's perspective on the harmonics. Midway through Amado's tone becomes a scorching mixture of Ornette Coleman/Albert Ayler. It's intense and beautiful but not for every ear. Bishop, Mira and Ferrandini beam with solid atonal exchanges that drain you until just the right moment when Amado returns to add some toppling hues to the closing bars.

Rounding out the evening is "Red Halo," led by Mira sounding fully focused and moving the group in a calm fashion toward the inevitable wall of sound. Mira's pace quickens while Amado and Bishop's dialogue starts to sound like one instrument. The quartet finally roll into one another in the final moments bringing an intense jubilant session to its logical yet bewitching end.

Truly, an absorbing performance and another very creative outing for Rodrigo Amado. There are only a handful of saxophonists on the European scene today that are as acute and descriptive as Amado. Burning Live At Jazz Ao Centro is a perfect example as to why. This same group will also have a new studio album out on Not Two later this year.