Iberica

Otto's collaboration with the Ensemble Ibérica is a series of languid expressions, each possessing the potent combination of a stunning beauty and a disarming gentleness. The delicate accents of Spanish and chamber add some compelling textures, and the inclusion of instruments like oud, steel guitar, cavaquinho, cello and Cuban tres brings a liveliness to the conversation that serves to emphasize the serenity, not threaten it. And while Matt Otto's tenor sax has a bold voice clear as day, his slight modulations between a sunny smile and a moody calm incites the prevailing serenity to resonate with a spellbinding intensity. Ibérica is easily one of the most gorgeous things to be released in 2017, thus far.