\By Sammy Stein
Hugo Costa is a Portuguese saxophonist based in the Netherlands. He plays in projects ranging from modern jazz to free improvisation, such as Real Mensh, The Garuda Trio, The Land Over Water Trio, Yellow Belle Quartet, The Rotterdam Kinematic Ensemble, and others. He has performed and recorded with musicians, including William Parker, Rodrigo Pinheiro, Raoul van der Weide, Marta Warelis, Alexander Frangenheim, Sofia Borges, Han-Earl Park, and toured extensively in Europe and Japan.
In the Yellow Belle Quartet, Costa is joined by musicians from Barcelona: Clara Lai on piano, Alex Reviriego on double bass, and Vasco Trilla on drums and percussion.
Lai is a pianist and composer who plays multiple genres and is active in the jazz scene in Barcelona, leading ensembles and collaborating with many prominent musicians such as Oriol Roca, Àlex Reviriego, Ferran Fages, Albert Cirera, and more. She has released a variety of recordings on both national and international record labels.
Àlex Reviriego is a member of Phicus, Tholos Gateway, the Liba Villavecchia Trio, and The Devil, Probably, as well as being a solo artist. He has participated in a number of formations of contemporary, improvised, and experimental music. His ferocious, angular style can be heard in dozens of albums released on various European labels as well as in different live settings, ranging from solo, small formations to orchestral work. He runs the experimental tape label Hera Corp.
Vasco Trilla has recorded more than one hundred albums, ranging from free improvisation, to progressive rock and ambient music. He has released albums on Clean Feed Records, Cuneiform Records, NoBusiness, Not Two, and others, and collaborated with Jamaaladeen Tacuma, Ra Kalam Bob Moses, Mars Williams, Patrick Shiroishi, Elliot Sharp, Steve Swell, and more. He has toured internationally and is one of the most in-demand voices of the European free improvised scene.
From the opening track, ‘Transient Moods,’ this album creates a sense of dialogue and connection between the musicians. On the opener, the bass line is subtle and relentless, with sax, percussion, and piano interceding in every conceivable space. The sax lines are melodious while the intricate percussive motifs create a sense of contrast and interact deftly with the piano. In the second half of the track, the mood changes to a reflective atmosphere, enhanced by the almost continuous bell sound in the percussion.
On ‘Soft Buttons’, the sax line meanders across a background of sonic mesh that upholds, reflects, and enhances, creating a track of many parts, including interactive reflection and an intriguing to and fro between the bell-like percussion and the piano that emerges under the sax line to create an uplifting, deeply engaging track. The lightness of the percussion contrasts wonderfully with the depth of sonic texture created by the bass and sax.
‘Dissonancias’ is an explorative track with spiritual essences, while ‘Gracia’ is introduced with a solo from Costa, into which the other musicians drop with delightful gusto, creating an interactive soundscape. The percussion crescendos throughout the number, adding ever more intricate rhythmic patterns that, teamed with the rapid-fire sax provided by Costa, make the track completely immersive. From its opening to the quietude of the ending, this track is five and a half minutes of full-bodied, unleashed free playing.
‘A Lingua dos Passaros’ (Language of The Birds) is aptly named as the ensemble creates a percussive-led, conversive piece akin to an awakening of many different types of sound. Trilla makes full use of the deeper drum sounds to create an atmosphere of strength and power which underlies the track, offset by intricate piano and steadfast bass. ‘Yellow Belle’ closes the album and is the clarion call of the group, encompassing each musician in both solo and support roles, intertwining, and reacting as appropriate, finishing this involved musical conversation that is as relevant to the listener as it is evidently to the musicians.
Costa told me about this recording, “I wanted to play with Vasco Trilla because he's a unique drummer. I've been listening to his records, especially those with Mars Williams as a sax-drums duo, which I love. I invited Vasco to play as a duo and went to Barcelona, where he's based. At the same time, I invited Clara and Alex to play as a quartet. They are both amazing musicians. It was a perfect opportunity to play with all these musicians I admire. We went to the studio and did a session where we played together for the first time as a quartet. The music is dynamic, with everyone listening to each other. There was a great energy between everyone, with each musician bringing their unique approach. We were so pleased with the result that we decided to release it. I also recorded a duo with Vasco, to be released soon.”
Costa has brought together a remarkable set of musicians. They have achieved an album that embodies melody and includes free improvisation and musical understanding that speaks loudly to the listener. The charisma of this ensemble is enchanting, and the music superb.
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