Reflections, by Xavi Reija

Reflections

by Xavi Reija

supported by

Dr. "Buzz" Frenzy (Matthew J Hesse) thumbnail

	/

Streaming + Download

Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.

Purchasable with gift card

€10 EUR or more
Full Digital Discography

10

releases

Get all 10 Xavi Reija releases available on Bandcamp and save 35%.

Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality downloads of WORKPLACE, To be my friend, Random Abstract, Dreamscape room, Resolution, The Sound of the Earth, Reflections, RESOLUTION-LIVE at RZZ, and 2 more. , and , .

Purchasable with gift card

€44.53 EUR or more (35% OFF)

1.	Martina 03:03	buy track
2.	Reflections 03:52	buy track
3.	Capella - We still dance 03:32	buy track
4.	Long trip - Reflections v.2 03:47	buy track
5.	Childhood dream 03:21	buy track
6.	Ausencia 04:54	buy track
7.	We Keep Walking 03:56	buy track
8.	Thy Remembrance 03:10	buy track
9.	Letter from the Aegean 03:11	buy track
10.	Serenity 03:06	buy track

about

First and foremost, this is a recording of dance music, though definitely not in the way one would normally think of that genre. Rather, this is a joyous and emotionally charged exchange between three gifted musicians whose creation lives at the heart of what makes dancing so special – and that is the ability to surrender to both the vulnerability of emotion and the vitality of rhythm. There is a restrained elegance at work here. Paired with musically simpatico pianist Nitai Hershkovits and bassist Pau Lligada, Xavi Reija’s new jazz trio channels strong and varied emotive content throughout the eleven compact (mostly under four minute) tracks on “Reflections”. Explore the 10th track “Serenity” and you will see what I mean; the slow breathing rhythmic structure serves as safe haven for Nitai to convey the namesake serenity which, when combined with the eggshell fragility of his phrasing, note selection, and song duration, serve to make this one of the most beautiful, and human, compositions I’ve heard in years. With the playful feel of late 70’s Zawinul, or a more recent Tigran composition, “Martina” opens the album. The beautiful piano melody drifts atop the slippery rhythm section in a measured dance between the two before developing into a conversation.
“Reflections ” and “Reflections (Long Trip)” both possess an introspective quality through a combined use of relaxed tempo, spare piano phrasings and Pau’s emotive almost scat-like bass playing . A bubbling stream of rolling watery piano and intricate hihat in 7/4 introduce “Capella (We Still Dance)”, whose hesitant and stuttering piano melody works against the playful dancing drums and bass to create a joyful sense of celebration and almost joyous abandon. With a wash of cymbals over the piano, the appropriately named “Childhood’s Dream” opens (and closes) like a book of memories. Conveyed within this brief time capsule is, at first, a sense of looking forward with youthful wonderment and yearning for things as yet
unknown. As the song develops and matures in strength and confidence, there is a sense of looking back at the life lived thus far and the remainder of the journey that still lies ahead. “Ausencia”, the longest track on the record, begins with a spatially relaxed solo piano prequel coaxing out the melodic structure of the tune. After just over one minute, Xavi’s breathy brushwork and the thoughtful bass notes of Pau Lligadas come in to
reinforce and further develop the main theme into one truly memorable experience. “We Keep Walking” begins with piano, soon joined by cymbals, bass and then eventually a skipping and subdued yet funky dancing snare. The song gets going with single notes over stabbed fragmented chords, until it finds its way into one glorious mother of a riff that would do Robert Glasper proud. Walking surely gives way to
dancing with arms outstretched as this song explodes into a joy that can barely be contained. Contrasted against this, “Thy Remembrance” expresses at first a bittersweet melody of loss with the bass calling out in an almost human voice. As the song develops, the piano offers light, hope, and grace for the future. “Letter From the Aegean” comes on strong with a great walking bass line and a more rhythmically straight-ahead jazz approach. The piano work on this track just sings, and the
interplay with Xavi’s musical approach to tom work is magical. “Capella” possesses the single strongest “modern jazz trio” vibe and is a great closing track in the way it showcases the players’ musical skills and comping to great effect. The key goal of these compositions seems to me to honestly (and humanly) express hope and aspiration, contemplation and reflection, sadness and loss, and the simple joy of love and companionship. Nitai, Pau and Xavi really bring an honest emotional intensity to this most personal (and danceable) of recordings. And, to quote Saint Max Roach, when it comes to Xavi’s feel for the kit and his ability to organically interact with the other players, ‘the drum also waltzes’.

Dan Burke, New Jersey 10/26/2016

credits

released February 2, 2017

Xavi Reija-drums
Nitai Hershkovits-piano
Pau Lligadas-upright bass

All songs composed by Xavi Reija
All songs arranged by the trio
Recorded and Mixed by Tony Paris at 44.1, Girona, Spain during June 9-10, and July 21-22 2016
Mastered by Alvaro Balañá at Impact Mastering Lab during September 2016.
Cover by Joan Abella Escuer
Design by Roger Conesa Mathioux

license

about

Xavi Reija Barcelona, Spain

xavireija.es

discography

WORKPLACE

Sep 2022
To be my friend

May 2020
Random Abstract

May 2020
Dreamscape room

May 2020
Resolution

Sep 2019
The Sound of the Earth

Sep 2018
Reflections

Feb 2017
RESOLUTION-LIVE at RZZ

Oct 2014
Rithual

Jan 2008
DREM LAND

Jan 2006

contact / help

Contact Xavi Reija

Streaming and
Download help

Report this album or account

If you like Xavi Reija, you may also like:

Resolution
by Xavi Reija

supported by 10 fans who also own “Reflections”

I can see now why John's Song is a common favourite! Whilst all the tracks are good and some are really good - this one's great! Unfinished Love would have been my choice without it. Flying To Nowhere was a great opener. The album covers a lot of territory. It's jazz, purely, at times. It's rock, purely... briefly... Some of it's definitely progressive rock but the jazz just won't leave off nagging away. Take Resolution - the _sounds_ are rock but it's musically jazz. Peter Jones
go to album
Mahandini (HD)
by Dewa Budjana feat. Jordan Rudess, Marco Minnemann, Mohini Dey, John Frusciante

supported by 9 fans who also own “Reflections”

The definition of progressive rock, a very different set to the free Postcard set, equally inventive and expressive. Peter Jones
go to album
Hidden Details (HD)
by Soft Machine

supported by 9 fans who also own “Reflections”

I love Soft Machine and everything these players stand for. New track off of Hidden Details is amazing. Long live Soft Machine. gearmanx
go to album
The Defector
by Henry Spencer

Trumpeter Harry Spencer’s orchestral modern jazz has cinematic scope, inspired here by dissidents throughout history. Bandcamp New & Notable Oct 3, 2023
go to album
Wise Up, Wee Boy
by Chris Doherty

Simmering, organ-driven jazz fusion songs, where sparkling keys cascade over buzzy, crackling rhythms. Bandcamp New & Notable Sep 18, 2022
go to album
Pallett
by Get The Blessing

Jammy jazz that also incorporates elements of alt-rock and post-rock into its expansive tracks. Bandcamp New & Notable Nov 13, 2023
go to album
Live at Orion (2CD)
by simakDialog

supported by 9 fans who also own “Reflections”

Every track on this album deserves a shout out. Every single one is fantastic. The living interplay of the participants in making each piece of music is totally enthralling. Be at one with the sound. Peter Jones
go to album