Eva Novoa: Trio, Vol. 1

577 RECORDS (RECORDED IN 2021/RELEASED NOVEMBER 2024)

In the true definition of the word trilix, three independent threads in free improvisation intertwine to form a strong bond on Trio, Vol. 1. Those threads are Spanish pianist Eva Novoa, Cuban drummer Francisco Mela and American multi-instrumentalist Daniel Carter. The three tunes they weave together on Trio, Vol. 1, demonstrate how adept they are at creating musical pieces that move from simple to symphonic and delicate to declarative. As the name of the first track implies, “Aire” is open and flowing as Carter (on flute) and Novoa introduce the meditative mood for 20-minutes of thoughtful free improvisation that also features Carter on trumpet (muted and unmuted) and saxophone. The tune moves seamlessly between trio, duo and solo sections. Carter’s playing is spurred on by Novoa’s shards and twinkling while Mela punctuates the mood with his arsenal of percussion, including some well-placed woodblock hits. Whereas, “Aire” is meditative in nature and features Carter, the traditional Cuban feel of “Hasta Manana Vida Mia” spotlights Mela’s multi-rhythmic playing and vocals in a more exuberant mode. At one point, Carter (on sax) and Mela intertwine in a Coltrane/Ali-inspired moment. The final cut, “Fuego” is Novoa’s chance to shine as her percussive Fender Rhodes sets the tone for this somewhat funkier tune that has Carter on sax. The title of the recording may be a bit confusing as this is Novoa’s third recording titled Trio, Vol. 1. (the earlier sessions featured bassists Masa Kamaguchi and Drew Gress and drummers Gerald Cleaver and Devin Gray.). However, there is no confusion that Novoa has a knack for combining three musicians in a musical trilix and has created another refreshing, inspiring and pleasing Trio, Vol. 1.

BOTTOM LINE: The number three is dominant in Eva Novoa’s newest release. It features three musicians — pianist Novoa, drummer Francisco Mela and multi-instrumentalist Daniel Carter — playing three diverse selections on Novoa’s third Trio session (the earlier two featured bassists Masa Kamaguchi and Drew Gress and drummers Gerald Cleaver and Devin Gray). In numerology, the number three is associated with creativity, communication, optimism, and curiosity, words that best describe the latest Trio, Vol. 1.