Amina Figarova Returns with the Ravishing "Sketches"

Amina Figarova weights in with a new album, "Sketches" (BMCD 507). Once again it's Amina at the piano with 13 new pieces, scored for the mid-sized group that gives her a chance again to show what she can do with the three-man horn frontline. Bart Platteau once more brings his eloquent and warm-toned flute and we also have Ernie Hammes on trumpet and flugelhorn as well as Marc Mommans on the tenor.

Ms. Figarova's music is cool, deceptively cool. It's cool in the way that Herbie Hancock's Speak Like A Child is cool. It has moments of fire but it's the legato piano soloing and the lush carpet of beautifully voiced horns that gives everything a gentle quality, cool-like.

To appreciate Figarova's music you have to listen more than a few times because it's pretty subtle. It's music of a pleasant sort, but that initial impression broadens on repeated listening as one comes to understand the sophisticated melodic writing-voicings and the lyrically inspired Figarova piano.

This new one may be the most subtle of them all. We have a very well-rehearsed group with very capable soloists playing a baker's dozen of Figarova's jazz compositions. It's a real pleasure to hear, but it has a latent punch you'll feel as you keep listening. Get a copy and put it on a few times and you'll see what I mean.

Ms. Figarova is carving out her niche with some wonderful music. Hear it.

Amina Figarova at the Forefront of Mainstream Jazz

Netherlands based Amina Figarova and her band recently toured the states, including an appearance at the annual Chicago Jazz Festival. Her most recent album Above the Clouds (Munich Records) gives good evidence that the audiences must have been treated to some fine, thoughtful mainstream jazz. She plays excellent piano, writes very memorable, skillfully crafted music and (I gather) arranged the music on the session, which is deftly scored for a largish mid-sized ensemble.

An earlier release of hers, September Suite, was a moving paean to the victims of 9-11, and the feelings felt by those who experienced the traumatic events wherever their lives happen to place them. Above the Clouds has a contrasting mood of hopefulness suited to the world we currently occupy.

Amina's playing and writing take something out of the Herbie Hancock Blue Note stylistic approach, especially what he was doing with mid-sized ensembles just before the Mwandishi Afro-Fusion period of his music. That does not mean she is copying him. She just shows a sophistication in harmonic and melodic realms both in her playing and writing, and she voices for the band with real finesse and sensitivity. All these qualities were present in Herbie's mid-period work in a particular way. And that resonates with Amina's work. Let's just say she builds on such a past examplar to create a music of her own that is mainstream, but contemporary. She's an artist for today.

The band is very well-rehearsed and quite good. Besides some wonderful piano work from Amina, there's Bart Platteau's ravishing flute and a solid ensemble of good improvisers.

This is an exceptionally fine effort. If she is having success I am happy, for she well deserves it. Listen to Above the Clouds and I think you'll agree.