New York based composer and guitarist Gabriel Vicéns goes for a more intimate sound on his new album Niebla. While its predecessor Mural was recorded with a large ensemble, including a prominent role for the strings he now goes back to jazz to tell the story of being an outsider in an environment that turns more hostile each day, although the Big Apple is still a safe haven of sorts. His Puerto Rican roots come to fore in the choices he made for the rhythm, making them adventurous most of the time, alternating between avant-garde and not quite straightforward most of the time.
Vicéns can paint with sound in his compositions and he has the knack to transfer his ideas clearly to people who will have to look up chromesthesia. The most obvious reference to this phenomenon is 900-50-80, inspired by a colourful abstract piece made by Olga Albizu. Throughout the album he mixes abstract bits with almost easy on the ears melodies. Niebla might mean "fog", but Vicéns and his musicians share a joint clear vision: to create music where tone and risk taking are equal partners to create a mesmerising listening experience. Feel free to wander around in his world and get lost in a good way.
