December 2008

Lucia Pulido
Waning Moon—Luna Menguante
Adventure

By Bill Milkowski

The dynamic Colombian singer joins with cutting edge New York improvisers—bassist Stomu Takeishi, clarinetist Adam Kolker and drummer Ted Poor—for a striking hybrid of folkloric music and free jazz. The mood ranges from festive dances (“The River King”) to powerful laments (“Maria, Breaking the Waves”) to freewheeling jams (“Let Her Cry”). Pulido’s passionate, commanding vocals are particularly moving on “Funeral Song,” her sparse duet with Takeishi which recalls the hauntingly beautiful bass-voice hookup of Jaco and Joni.