The Landscape Listens is an auspicious benediction. The collaboration between Kansas City’s Matt Otto and the Galacian musicians Xose Miguélez and Abe Rábade acts as a restorative balm for vanquished souls.
The calming collaboration between like-minded saxophonists Miguélez and Otto and pianist Rábade is exquisite jazz-based chamber music. Even though there’s never a moment of facile escapism, the lovely melodies and inspired solos are sonic sanctuaries.
Otto has dazzled Kansas City’s jazz community with his form of cool jazz for 16 years. Miguélez and Rábade share his passion for the sounds associated with Lee Konitz and Warne Marsh. Rábade invokes Chick Corea.
"Epílogo" is among the pieces with the lilt of Corea compositions like “La Fiesta”. The other tracks are just as gorgeous. Whether the listener is seeking spiritual consolation or mellow sophistication, The Landscape Listens is the right album at the right time.