Odyssey Mixtape [CD]

From Sao Paulo, with stops along the way in Basel, Switzerland, New York, and now Washington, DC, pianist, composer Jose Luiz Martins seamlessly blends intriguing Brazilian harmonies and rhythms with his inspired takes on jazz, classical, and popular music, creating innovative and often soaring cinematic aural landscapes. His quartet, augmented by vocals, a judicious use of keyboards, and guitarist John Lee as a guest, explores pieces that were conceived during a period of great turmoil as he found ways to understand and overcome his debilitating neurological condition, Focal Dystonia. "Odyssey Mixtape" chronicles the interplay between depression and hope, as his ability to play was put on hold for an extended period, leaving his musical mind free to wander. The memories of his youthful interests in Sao Paulo co-mingle with his adult musical sensibilities, creating the core of the themes weaving throughout the album. Martins plays with a kind of joyous deliberation that has almost been forgotten to our uber rational culture - this album is a crowning achievement - The Akademia.