| Jazz |
This Brazilian keyboardist immerses us in pure jazz fusion; a genre that demands caution, given that since the 1970s, we’ve encountered everything from the sublime to the forgettable. Yet here, we have a truly delightful album, one that revitalizes the style by infusing it with cultural depth. And should you have any doubts, a flute is there to remind you: this composer is unmistakably Brazilian, and we are all the richer for discovering his world through this record. One can only imagine how electrifying it must be on stage; an explosive, dance-infused spectacle.
When José Luiz Martins was diagnosed with focal dystonia, a neurological disorder, he was forced to step away from the piano for years, even as he continued performing as a professional musician. The experience plunged him into deep depression. “During that time, I quite literally could no longer play a simple C major scale,” Martins confesses. “My fingers would spasm and respond uncontrollably; the harder I fought it, the worse it became.” But as the saying goes, adversity forges the most determined souls. Martins fought relentlessly to reclaim his musical mastery.
The result is Odyssey Mixtape, the audacious new album from the São Paulo-born, Washington D.C.-based pianist. Here, he plays piano, keyboards, and synthesizers, accompanied by flutist and vocalist Alex Hamburger, bassist Romeir Mendez, and drummer Dana Hawkins. Three tracks feature guitarist John Lee, while another spotlights vocalist Nakama, as well as electric bassist Tyrone Allen II and drummer Florian Haas.
Martins draws upon every musical influence that has shaped his life, and the outcome is breathtaking. It took me multiple listens to fully absorb the sheer richness of this album; both in terms of composition and arrangement, all brought to life by equally remarkable musicians. “This interplay between darkness and light, despair and hope, is a recurring theme throughout both the compositions and the overall atmosphere of the album,” he explains. Yet, for all its raw emotional depth, the work remains fluid and buoyant, thanks to its Mixtape spirit. “The direction this album took in its composition was completely unexpected, and that truly excited me,” Martins shares. “There’s more synth, more rock, more funk, and more lyrics to express this difficult journey.”
Though this artist has endured profound hardship, what lingers most is the resounding hope that permeates his work. “I love the idea of playing like an expressionist painter; guided by emotion and energy, using vivid colors to immerse the listener in a complex world,” says José Luiz Martins. “It allows each person to interpret freely, creating a language that speaks on a subconscious level.”
And indeed, there is something undeniably pictorial about it. I find echoes of the raw energy and fearless vibrancy of my friend, visual artist Marie-Laure Mallet. A universe of bold, luminous hues; this album, in its own way, is just as essential.
Thierry De Clemensat
USA correspondent for Paris-Move and ABS magazine
Editor in chief – Bayou Blue Radio, Bayou Blue News
Editor for All About Jazz
PARIS-MOVE, March 27th 2025
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