Eva Novoa / Satellite Quartet - Satellite Quartet (2020)

Eva Novoa’s Satellite Quartet launches itself into the musical stratosphere with this distinctive session, which shows off the group’s multi-leveled rhythmic interplay, hypermodern lyricism, and its penchant for surprise. Recorded only 2 hours away from Cape Canaveral, this project defies gravity in search of new worlds of expression.

Three Nine Turner begins with a search party that finds what it’s after… Arturo Garcia’s drumming propels things magically, inspiring both Rainer Davies and Kenneth Jimenez to explore parallel universes. Centrifugal force holds the group together as Eva leads the way, somehow winding up in a Shearingesque exploration of block chording. This eventually gives way to a plump extrapolation from bassist Jimenez, eventually setting down on terra firma with a contemplative segment of Davies’ guitar evoking the Spaghetti West. Don’t quite know how we got here, but it all seems right and somehow inevitable.

Interim Song eventually shows off Eva’s rhythmically organic bluesiness after emerging from an atmospheric opening statement, and several episodes of gradually increasing intensity. Effortless slow-motion propulsion is on display here.

Inefficient 39T features one of the most interesting 2 feels you’ll ever hear, a riveting solo from Garcia, and an abundance of conversant grooving.

Satellite Earth seeks to break the bonds of gravity, as the melody climbs and pushes against the upper atmosphere, only to return inevitably to the ground. Still, it’s all about the journey, not the destination… Davies’ percussive solo feeds the groove until Novoa launches herself upward and outward. Jimenez provides the irresistible gravitational force as if his spot is one long exhalation that reacclimatizes the quartet to ground zero. Plenty of burly sophistication here.

Big Moose Road unfurls into relaxed open space. The band’s interaction is offhanded, intimate, welcoming, and seamless. How it is that the melody and harmony seem to be born from each other is a wonder.

203 ends this original, distinctive session with slow motion pixelation. Is there a word for this unique language? If so, I’ve not found one that captures its essence.

I’m very aware that music as personal, spontaneous, and unique as this should be heard and maybe not written about. So please give Eva Novoa’s Satellite Quartet your undivided attention. They deserve it. This music demands it.

Tracklist:

01. Three Nine Turner 7:39
02. Interim Song 9:08
03. Inefficient 39T 9:39
04. Satellite Earth 8:27
05. Big Moose Road 9:23
06. 203 7:07