reTORNAR

If you worry that a voice and a double bass might be too frugal fare, no need. Catalan singer, Magalí Sare, and bassist Manel Fortià have created a beautiful and varied album that builds on 2020's Fang i Núvols. Even without David Domínguez’ delicate percussion on seven of these ten songs (based on maritime routes and Ibero-American folklore), the pair nuance their music by bowing the bass (as on the traditional Minorcan ‘Roseret’, and the quietly dramatic Brazilian ‘Modinha’), hammering the bow against the strings for percussion (on the traditional Portuguese ‘Senhora do Almortão’), adding flamenco-style handclaps (as on the opening ‘Tornar’), or using echo to turn Sare's already heavenly voice into a celestial chorus at the end of closer, ‘La Meva Àvia’. The singer's flute, too, makes a dramatic appearance on the lovely ‘La Leyenda del Tiempo’, and the outlandish version of the old chestnut ‘Guantanamera’. It all adds up to an understated, highly assured album that offers subtlety, drama, variety and at times exquisite beauty. A revelation.