El Viaje

What a lovely album this is: a work of fluid yet inventive piano compositions rooted in classical, nodding to jazz and opening out to the world – just as Cuba is (allegedly) doing as a country. Pianist López-Nussa has won international awards for his playing skills and worked extensively with the likes of Cuba's National Symphony Orchestra and the touring band of Omara Portuondo. López-Nussa's trio, featuring younger brother Ruy on drums and percussion, and from Senegal, Alun Wade on bass and vocals has given us a work recorded in Havana with a musical journey in mind. ‘Lobo's Cha’ sets out with a traditional Cuban bolero before adding a flavour of Parisian chanson then morphing into a contemporary chachachá; a neighbourhood fiesta in ‘Feria’ finds an African groove before turning to New York with the percussive piano chords of ‘Evidence’ by the late, great jazz pianist Thelonious Monk. Augmented by drums, horns and additional percussion, López-Nussa's playing is muscular and elegant throughout, but especially on Chucho Valdés’ classic ‘Bacalao Con Pan’.