Nocturne
(Gitanes)
Legendary bassist Charlie Haden has come to symbolise the notions of 'freedom' and 'liberation' and it seems only fitting that he be credited with unleashing the prodigious talents of Cuban pianist Gonzalo Rubalcaba on the world.
The pair combine again on this stylishly reflective set that revisits the Cuban bolero tradition which was born in the 1870s and raised in Rio de Janeiro, Buenos Aires and Mexico City before it reached New Orleans, where it became a crucial ingredient in the early days of jazz.
As the sleeve notes reveal: 'When Sarah Vaughan recorded What A Difference A Day Makes in the 50s, she was singing a bolero by Maria Greever, a Mexican, called Cuando Vuelva A Tu Lado.'
Unlike Ravel's famous reading of the style - balladesque drama built on strict rhythmic structure - Haden works from within to deliver a highly improvisational suite of bittersweet, lilting melodies.