Equilibrio - Gabriel Guerrero & QUΔΠTUM - Review

by Andy Harrison—

Gabriel Guerrero, a Colombian-born and NYC-based pianist, composer and educator has given us eleven charming and silky-smooth tracks to enjoy on his new record Equilibrio - while at times verging on the inoffensive and anodyne, Guerrero and his band QUΔΠTUM provide enough energy to keep listeners engaged with their particular brand of high end jazz.

While one can hear a bit of hard-bop inflections in their playing, hinting at something a bit more daring, Guerrero and company stick to a measured and comfortable approach that approaches his charts with...

"Allen-Dunn’ s work on the ivories strengthens every track he's featured on..."

Thankfully, that’s the only real wobble over the course of the album: Rich provides his band balladic compositions conducive to virtuoso improv, and in particular Allen-Dunn's work on the ivories strengthens every track he’s featured on with performances deserving of high praise. Taking influences from contemporary pianists operating out West like Hal Galper and Pamela York, the Washington native clearly draws upon the music and sounds of his home state in his playing, with his chromatic work on "June" worth noting not for technical showmanship but his willingness to do what's best for the band as a whole.

Keep an eye out for this one once it hits store shelves (it released on streaming on February 23rd): "June," he title track and closer “The Heavyweight” are standouts, and make the record worth listening to for those alone. Come for those and stay for Rich's exemplary songs, strong performances and an all-around solid jazz record that is worth your time.

AAF Rating: 4/5 trumpets

AAF Top Picks: No Return, Encrucijada, Belong, OzPal