Aurora Clara is a Spanish band that offers Jazz Rock and Fusion sounds with contaminations of Prog. The new album simply titled “IV” was released on July 12, 2024 via Youkali Music and contains six tracks with two guests. Right from the first notes of opener “The Last Candles” the band offers its technical and energetic blend of fresh and modern Instrumental Jazz and Fusion sounds. In this epic over 11 minutes long, the band offers a heavier sound than on previous releases, in which flute-keyboard-guitar intertwine in extended solos that accompany us throughout the song. The rhythm section is solid and elaborate, full of tempo changes that allow us to move from more Fusion sections to others contaminated by Progressive Rock. Definitely a fresh and original track that enhances the band’s technique. The notes of the flute intertwining with the guitar open “Five Sisters,” another gritty-sounding track from the band that manages to blend genres and styles with ease. The rhythm section is elaborate and enriched with percussion, while flute and guitar duet in the first part with melodic interlacing and refined solo inserts. A killer bassline accompanies us throughout the piece, while the protagonist is the flute that leads the melodies and solo sections, interesting however are the incursions of guitar first and then keyboard. “Song To John” features dreamy guitar arpeggios and a rhythm section with percussion, exploring Spanish sounds. Flute and guitar phrasings then accompany us throughout the song, in a constant musical crescendo, elaborate but nevertheless accessible to the listener. A track full of pathos and with marked Flamenco influences, refined. There is a return to more Jazzy melodies and sounds in “End Of January,” an intense and deep track where Flamenco Guitar and flute intertwine with electric guitar. Percussion enriches the rhythm section, just as Paul Austerlitz on bass clarinet takes the sound to another level with his sophisticated solo interventions. Fresh and modern fusion, always very involving, managing despite the complexity of the compositions to keep the listener engaged. “Maktub (For Sami And Laura)” opens with intertwining guitar and flute that accompany us for over two minutes, a track that offers Jazz/Fusion with Psychedelic contaminations in certain passages. The electric guitar takes centre stage in the middle part of the track, with a prolonged technical solo as sharp as a blade. While maintaining the characteristics of Fusion music, the atmospheres and the choice of sounds give a Psychedelic touch that permeates the second part and accompanies us to the finale. The album ends with the frenetic “One For The Road,” a concentration of energy and technique, with an intricate rhythm section and virtuoso solo tyraps. The flute and guitar duet with the keyboards throughout the song, alternating in highly technical solos, as does the rhythm section, a track that enhances the musical preparation of the artists involved. An excellent listen to jazz rock/fusion, with a fresh, modern sound and forays into different genres and styles such as flamenco and prog. The band is known to have a very refined technique and to be able to create intense and engaging tracklists from start to finish, exploring the different facets that characterise their distinctly personal style. A recommended listen for all lovers of instrumental fusion sounds with long instrumental textures and flute-guitar-keyboard solo phrasing.
Tracklist
01. The Last Candles (11:11)
02. Five Sisters (5:55)
03. Song To John (5:36)
04. End Of January (8:57)
05. Maktub (For Sami And Laura) (7:30)
06. One For The Road (5:37)
Lineup
Raul Mannola / Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar, 12-String Acoustic Guitar, Flamenco Guitar
Nill Oliveira / Bass
Marco Anderson / Drums
Denis Bilanin / Keyboards
Juan Carlos Aracil / Flute, Percussion
With:
Paul Austerlitz / Bass Clarinet (4)
Iván Mellén / Percussion (2,3,4)
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