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Xavi Reija: Reflections
ByThat energy is especially audible in a track like "Capella (we still dance)," with its insistent, propulsive rhythmit really does have a dance feeling, and bassist Lligadas turns in a fine solo. But even when Reija is using brushes, as he does right from the beginning on opener "Martina," as well as "Childhood Dream" and the ballad "Thy Remembrance," there is always a firm rhythmic push driving the music forward, often with a double-time feel bubbling under the surface of the music. He does not especially compose like a drummer (whatever that means); in a blindfold test the natural inclination would be to assume that the pianist is the leader. The drumming isn't overly busy, it's just present to a greater than usual extent in a piano trio setting.
Both the paired tracks, "Capella (we still dance)" with closer "Capella" and "Reflections" with "Reflections (long trip)" share a common feel without being variations of each other. The acoustic setting places composing, drumming and band-leading into greater focus (without minimizing the tremendous contributions of his band mates). Anyone thinking of Reija as a fusion drummer will likely be pleasantly surprised. In a landscape littered with piano trio recordings this one stands out for equal parts of lyricism and a special rhythmic drive.
Track Listing
Martina; Reflections (Long Trip); Capella (We Still Dance); Childhood Dream; Reflections; Ausencia; We Keep Walking; Letter From The Aegean; Serenity; Capella; Thy Remembrance.
Personnel
Xavier Reija
drumsXavi Reija: drums; Nitai Hershkovits: piano; Pau Lligadas: bass.
Album information
Title: Reflections | Year Released: 2017 | Record Label: Self Produced