ABUELO BLANC

Although I am fully aware that this St. Louis-based trio have just released their third album, I am miles behind on my listening so am only just catching up on the second, which was released in 2021. They comprise Dan Ilges (drums), Nick Johnson (bass, guitar, synth) and Jim Miles (vocals, Fender Rhodes, Hammond B3 organ, synth, alto sax, flute) and is apparently quite a step change from the debut which was instrumental as this is mostly songs with vocals (although there are also lengthy instrumental passages). On PA, reviewer Matti bemoans the fact that his was the only review to date and given that was published at the end of last year and mine is the next, I definitely concur.

Trios are a musical entity where there is never any room to hide, and all three of these guys are incredible musicians, and more importantly they all play equally relevant roles so not only is this wonderfully complex and inviting music, but it is incredibly balanced. When focussing on the vocals one realises it is the keyboards which are driving them, but the bass is providing intricate counter melodies which offset them, while the drums are true percussion where the drummer is a real musician as opposed to "just" a timekeeper, and keeps pushing everything along as he provides a fluid foundation. Although there is a great deal going on in an album which is touching multiple bases within the prog scene, for some reason it never feels too involved and even with space at a premium it never becomes too much.

The use of Hammond B3 and Fender Rhodes gives the music something of a jazz fusion vibe, as does some of the arrangements, but there are also some psychedelic elements and some serious nods to the likes of Hatfield & The North. The music does sound dated due mostly to the keyboard choices, but there is nothing wrong with that, and the result is an album which is easy to listen to the first time of playing yet there is real depth which only becomes apparent with repeated plays. This is most certainly a prog band who are worthy of far greater attention.