The title of this recording China Afro Cuba by Gonzalo Rubalcaba and Dongfeng Liu might – rather erroneously – suggest a musical mélange, or even appear to be a kind of palimpsest supporting the theory of “music as universal language.” Neither of those suggestions are, of course, true. [Somewhere in his intrepid writings collected under the title Temporary Autonomous Zones or T.A.Z, the brilliantly itinerant Peter Lamborn Wilson a.k.a. Hakim Bey not-so-whimsically suggested that the only universal language is “the twittering of birds.” But this is grist for another mill; another grinding altogether].

Neither should the title suggest the work of two musical fabulists en route on their imaginary railway system between Cuba and China. That would be a much too simplistic suggestion. But the word pictures generated by these two celebrated pianists is a quite amazing listening experience. It is the unlikely collision of two disparate cultural topographies that come together in an onrushing flood of musical ideas that seem to burst the banks of an imaginary river in spate.

The majority of the repertoire on this recording comprises of songs that exemplify the nature of Chinese word pictures – beautifully exemplified by Lofty Mountains and Flowing Water and Colorful Clouds Chasing the Moon – the latter a quite brilliant example of how to create music redolent of melodic narratives, luscious harmonies and tumbling rhythms. This is enunciated by one of the two pianists painted as if on a silken sonic canvas. The two exceptions on  the recording are Over the Rainbow by Harold Arlen [and Yip Harburg] and Gloria’s Step [and not “Steps” as mentioned in the title of the song] by Scott LaFaro, [often erroneously credited to Bill Evans].

The music is alternatively surging and reflective, never retro but with extremely powerfully and gorgeously modern touches. The percussive pianism of both Mr Rubalcaba and Mr Liu are evocative of tubular bells and tinkling, cascading water and round rumbling – at once authentic Chinese and Afro Cuban. This is a brilliant amalgam suggestive of ancient Chinese style of [pizzicato] percussive music exemplified by Mr Liu’s pianism, and the expressive and insolently acrobatic Afro Cuban [percussive] rhythms in a peerless pianistic style expressed by Mr Rubalcaba.

The fact that each of the musicians overlay sculpted jazzy improvisations on top of these melodies is a dramatic bonus. It is as if the pianists touch their respective instruments and sound just seems to flow out, relaxed, shining, round, extraordinarily beautiful. The sound is superb, capturing the sleek sound of the beautiful pianos throughout.

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