Following the release of Mingus Mood (Errabal 2023)—an acclaimed debut album that showcased Charles Mingus’ influence on both the band’s beginnings and their music—Iosu now offers us his second album, entitled Ilusio. This record once again reclaims the sextet format, featuring the same musicians as its predecessor. Rubén Salvador on trumpet, Pablo Ramos on alto saxophone, Asier Iturbe on trombone, Koldo Uriarte on piano, Aitor Bravo on drums, as well as Iosu himself as leader, double bassist, and composer of all the songs. This work perpetuates and reinterprets the flexible and eclectic spirit of Izaguirre’s compositions, always backed by the excellent chemistry and common language developed by each band member.
In addition to drawing on various genres and influences under the omnipresent essence of jazz and its evident capacity for seduction, Ilusio possesses the qualities of being organic and unexpected. It is free of creative or aesthetic limits. Its formula is more emotional than intellectual, and it democratizes a genre that is not always accessible to everyone. It allows listeners to intimately and passionately approach Izaguirre’s unique and fascinating sound universe. Ilusio is a new musical framework broken down into seven interpretations of multicolored narrative. It is arranged in an almost cinematic way full of sensations and frenetic dialogue in songs such as Presaren Preso. Refreshing rhythms that quickly blur any predictable path on Nostalgia in Kutxa Square and freely traverses the multiple passages of Lau Nota Memorian. Innovative and sophisticated, Ilusio subtly transports us to the nearly hypnotic beauty of Isiltasun Ituna, with its perfect transitions of unexpected dynamics. It envelops us in the aromas of blues, soul, and gospel on El Logro del Ogro, and congratulates us with the subtle Cuban rhythms and multiple textures of Son Mantxo. Salvadorren Berpiztean brings the record to an end with an emotional tribute to Xalbador, the Basque bertsolari.
