Figarova, Amina
AmFi Records, 2020, CD
Instrument: Piano
Issue: 26.3
Jazz Ruler Type: Fusion
Performance: 4
Sound: 3
Score: 81
O’s Notes: New York-based jazz pianist and composer Amina Figarova expands from the Modern jazz we’ve enjoys to a racy jazzy fusion on her latest release, Persistence. She reconfigured her band with Rez Abbasi (g), Yasushi Nakamura (b) and Rudy Royston (d). The common player from prior work is Amina’s husband, flutist Bart Platteau who adds an EWI to his arsenal. JSWISS raps to the hip hop beats of “I’ve Got No Time”. Abbasi stands out on “Lil’ Poem” and the funky “R Song”. Guest Paul Jost adds vocalese alongside Bart’s flute on “Horizons” and they wrap with “Bliss” featuring poet, Skye’s World. Regardless of where Figarova heads next, this is a strong effort that warrants more in the genre (funky, fusion)
Publicist: Braithwaite & Katz