Water From the Moon

I’m not sure why Francisco Pais feels compelled to hide from his listeners. He’s got his back to us in the CD case photo, and a booklet image finds him peeking out from behind his guitar—just a bit of nose and two eyes. Even more significantly in the music on his recent Fresh Sounds/New Talent release, he keeps himself down in the mix. In may be the Francisco Pais Quintet, but musically they all get equal time and attention.

I’m a fan of the ensemble feel this arrangement allows. The opening track, Water From the Moon, shows off the range of exploration this set-up allows a jazz group unhampered by the need to wait while each guy takes a solo. Instead the group can move and develop the work en masse, a striking idea or a well-played riff serving as a spice rather than a stand-alone course. Now Francisco, come out from there, at least to take a bow.

–MS