Héctor Infanzón: Días Sin Tiempo

Héctor Infanzón, recognized as one of the most complete Mexican pianists, is a performer and composer with a solid classical training. He has a vast experience in various musical genres (Afro-Caribbean, Mexican traditional, progressive rock, pop, classical and jazz), which allows him to seamlessly combine tradition with contemporary languages. As a result his music shows a strong identity that has deep connection with his roots, placing him in a prominent position in the international musical arena.

Héctor Infanzón belongs to a select group of respected and highly admired Latin American artists, musical creators and innovators. His album Tres Historias Concertantes with the Bulgarian National Radio Symphony Orchestra was nominated to the 2021 Latin Grammy Awards in two categories: Mejor Álbum de Música Clásica and Mejor Obra/Composición Clásica Contemporánea.

For many years, the music of Héctor Infanzón was only available for sale in his native country, México. As an independent artist, he’s always tried to be in control of his creative product. Now, it’s a great celebration for his followers that his complete catalog is available on the most important music streaming platforms (spotify, deezer, apple music, amazon music).

Días Sin Tiempo is an independent recording that was born before the pandemic hit the world, but its title (Days Without Time) was chosen during the health crisis. It conveys meaningful reflections about life, leaving a testimony about these trying times.

All tracks [except 6, 7 and 8] were written by Infanzón, whose signature sound is present throughout all his compositions and arrangements. Even those songs he didn’t write, they have his own, recognizable sound stamp. “Primer Encuentro” (First Encounter), is a forceful track that opens the doors to a musical voyage with stops in perfectly crafted sonic places, setting the tone for a delightful listening experience.

In 2016, Infanzón toured the Asian continent with his quartet for second consecutive year, performing with great success at the most prominent festivals and stages in Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Shanghai, Hangzhou and Hong Kong. The album Live in Hong Kong (recorded at the Orange Peel Music Lounge) provides testimony of the excitement generated during that trip. It captured the essence, energy and talent of one of the finest Jazz/Latin Jazz quartets with international projection from México. The track “Singapur” is a tune inspired on this magical tour, and it features the vocals of special guest Carlos “Popis” Tovar.

“Larenal” possibly more than any other track on this album, features the extraordinary pianism of Maestro Infanzón. His hands strike the keys in a flawless showcase of technical feats, improvisation, inspired musical figures and creative ideas. “La Botica de Don Carlos” is a magnificent, arousing bolero that emanates from deep inside the soul of its composer. It features the great percussionist Armando Montiel on bongos. “Rincón Brujo” is a song based on indigenous folk rhythms from México. The vigorous rhythm of the zapateado and the cadence of traditional music are combined harmoniously in a contemporary arrangement.

“Las Entrañas de la Ciudad” (The Bowels of the City) is a composition that showcases the experimental side of Héctor Infanzón, almost symphonic and cinematic in scope, using electronic sound imagery and effects to make the listener feel what is like to be in the underground world of a city, surrounded by the darkness and the sounds of that gloomy atmosphere.

Tracks 6, 7 and 8 pay tribute to three important Mexican musicians who already passed away. Bringing back to life their work with contemporary arrangements on this recording is not only a noble, respectful gesture, but it creates a necessary link with those masters of their craft who are part of the musical history of México.

“Triste Verdad” (track 6) is a bolero written by Mario Ruiz Armengol. He was a gifted pianist, composer, arranger and orchestra conductor whose body of work exceeds more than 300 pieces for piano, boleros, symphonic and Cuban dances.

“Las Pulgas Freeway” (track 7) is an original samba composition penned by Eugenio Toussaint, who was a well-known pianist, composer and arranger, founder of Sacbé, one of the most important Mexican jazz bands.

“Se Vive Así” (track 8), written by Marcial Alejandro, who was a composer and singer of the genre known as “Nueva Trova” or “Nueva Canción,” is given an elegant, sophisticated Cuban rumba treatment, featuring the vocals of Carlos “Popis” Tovar.

Héctor Infanzón and his bandmates, Adrián Infanzón (on bass), Enrique Nativitas (on drums) and Luis Gómez (on percussion) know each other perfectly well. They have been together long enough to read into each other’s minds, and with the addition of special guests, Carlos “Popis” Tovar and Armando Montiel, perform as a tight small ensemble perfectly attuned with a visionary musical leader: Maestro Héctor Infanzón. Días Sin Tiempo is truly an album to die for. Highly recommended.

Track list – 1: Primer Encuentro (Héctor Infanzón); 2: Singapur (Héctor Infanzón); 3: Larenal (Héctor Infanzón); 4: La Botica de Don Carlos (Héctor Infanzón); 5: Rincón Brujo (Héctor Infanzón); 6: Triste Verdad (Mario R. Armengol); 7: Las Pulgas Freeway (Eugenio Toussaint); 8: Se Vive Así (Marcial Alejandro); 9: Las Entrañas de la Ciudad – Piano Parlante #3.

Personnel – Héctor Infanzón: piano and production; Adrián Infanzón: bass; Enrique Nativitas: drums; Luis Gómez: percussion.

Special Guests – Carlos “Popis” Tovar: vocals; Armando Montiel: bongos.

Released – 2021
Label – Independent
Runtime – 1:18:00

• Listen to the complete album – Héctor Infanzón: Días Sin Tiempo