On their captivating debut duo album, MESTIZX, multi-instrumentalists Ibelisse Guardia Ferragutti and Frank Rosaly weave a rich tapestry of sounds reflecting their shared Latinx roots in Bolivia, Brazil, and Puerto Rico.

As longtime fixtures of the vibrant Chicago and Amsterdam creative music scenes, Ferragutti and Rosaly unite as kindred spirits, seamlessly blending their pan-Latin influences with free jazz, post-rock, electronica, and indigenous folk elements. The result is a bold statement on decolonization that transcends genre, offering a fresh and invigorating perspective on contemporary music.

Throughout the album, evocative Latin rhythms, microtonal flutes, and unconventional swing pay homage to ritual music as a vital form of cultural resistance. Tracks like the rousing “INVOCAÇÃO” and the haunting “DESTEJER” conjure vivid atmospheres, evoking distant memories and socio-political realities with a deft touch that is both poignant and powerful.

Bolstered by an international cast of collaborators, including the innovative Ben LaMar Gay and the versatile Mikel Patrick Avery, MESTIZX celebrates community in the face of oppression. The 11-minute title track best encapsulates the album’s loose, eclectic spirit – a sprawling sonic journey of cathartic, celebratory protest music that is as thought-provoking as it is emotionally resonant.

With MESTIZX, Ferragutti and Rosaly have crafted a powerful work of Latinx expression, resilience, and unity. It’s an auspicious first outing that solidifies them as vital voices expanding the boundaries of creative music today. This is essential listening for adventurous ears eager to explore the fertile intersections of Latin American musical traditions and forward-thinking jazz, a journey that promises to be as enlightening as it is enjoyable.