Perhaps this is the most intimate and austere version of the internationalist journey that Jairo Zavala undertook more than three decades ago as From Pedro. Everything sounds more concise, also singularly thoughtful. The list of musicians is extensive, but unlike other albums, this one does not contain any flashy collaborations that draw on other clientele. There are Martín Bruhn, Gustavo Guerrero, Roberto Verástegui, Kike Fuentes, Delaney Stöckli, Ludovica Burtone, Leonor Falcón or Marta Roma, but only the voice of Héctor Rojo emerges as an outstanding counterpoint in “What is happening”a cut governed – like the rest of these 35 minutes – by simplicity.
Produced by the Venezuelan Gustavo Guerrero (Natalia Lafourcade) and recorded in the mountains of Madrid – except for its wonderful string arrangements, recorded in Barcelona – but mixed in Australia and mastered in California, “A perfect place” (2024) unfolds to the rhythm of warm tropicalism in “Perfect place”, to the sound of the Andean chacarera in “The glory”to the Motown trot with bongos in “Choreography” and under the effluvia of tango in “Fable of the difference”.
Jairo’s way of looking at all the cardinal points that have been and will be is still exemplary, but for me this album touches me most in the moments in which we can say that “less is more”, and in which also a clear pop inclination is seen: “Ability” It is a beautiful half-timer that could bear the Wilco signature and “Fog” It is a beautiful miniature with a guitar and piano that serves as the perfect finishing touch.