Paris Move - Marlon Simon & The Nagual Spirits – On Different Paths (ENG review)
PARIS MOVE
The journey of this composer and drummer extends from Venezuela, his native country, to the city of New York, and finally, he is now a neighbor in Katy, Texas. Despite being close, we haven’t had the opportunity to meet him at Bayou Blue Radio. Throughout his career, Marlon has enriched himself through collaborations with various artists. He has played classical swing with pianist Hilton Ruiz, traditional Afro-Cuban rhythms with the Fort Apache Band and Chucho Valdes, Latin jazz grooves with Dave Valentin, and progressive jazz propulsion with Bobby Watson.
“On Different Paths” is Marlon Simon’s seventh album, and once again, it is a grandiose work, almost a symphony/jazz fusion. As a drummer and composer, Marlon delves into the depths of his musical education, and one can clearly see the influences of classical music, which seem to be the foundation of his art, overlaying his Venezuelan and American cultural background for the jazz aspect. For example, the dynamic titular track blends elements of Venezuelan joropo, Brazilian samba, and Cuban rhythms in 6/8 within the complex interplay of drums and congas underpinning modern jazz harmonies with a forward-looking perspective. It’s a revitalizing sound reminiscent of an engaging solo performance by Edward Simon, but the rich tapestry of intercultural sounds is both philosophically and musically motivated.
