Label: UnderPool, 2026
Personnel - Anggie Obin: flute; Bill McHenry: tenor saxophone; Miguel “Wiwi” Garcia: piano; Masa Kamaguchi: double bass; Estefania Chamorro: drums.
Rising Panamanian jazz flutist and composer Anggie Obin, who attended Berklee College of Music in Boston and is based in Barcelona, gathers a first-class quintet—American saxophonist Bill McHenry, Cuban pianist Miguel “Wiwi” Garcia, Japanese bassist Masa Kamaguchi, and Spanish drummer Estefania Chamorro—for a wonderful debut album that honors her musical mentors and her late great-grandmother. Luz was titled after the latter, an important pillar in her life.
“For Mr. G” begins the album in warm modal complicity, with saxophone and flute beautifully interlocking through contrasting timbres. The piece, dedicated to saxophonist Carlos Garnett—with whom Obin first recorded professionally—features her wandering freely, choosing exquisite, breathy notes with spotless intonation that makes us search as much as she does. There’s also catchy melodic input from McHenry, who captures Coltranean vibes in his solo, while Kamaguchi showcases the foundational sophistication for which he is known.
“Flash of the Spirit”, a grateful nod to versatile bassist Santi Debriano, evolves with playful hard-bop flair, bluesy chops, and hints of Monk’s music. The quintet swings and grooves, revolving around freshly introduced ideas and a modern jargon that still drinks from the wells of tradition. Here, Obin is highly conversational in her statement, sounding as radiant as she does on “Luz”, where a delicate rubato introduction takes an emotional turn into a charming 3/4 drive. Obin’s expression is remarkable, Garcia’s measured piano playing comes wrapped in modal alchemy, while McHenry navigates abstract alleys of his own imagining.
“La Eucaristia” exudes solemnity and dark contours through its leaping angular melodies, featuring an exchange of rapid motifs between Obin and McHenry. If the that piece was inspired by experimental multi-instrumentalist Anthony Braxton’s work, then the mercurial “Ballot or the Bullet” is a blues inspired by human rights activist Malcolm X’s speech. Obin kills it with soulful tones and brilliant technique.
Recorded live at Estival de Jazz d’Igualada in Spain, Luz emphasizes the elasticity and potential of each composition, leaving a lasting impact. Obin’s highly attuned quintet cuts through modal post-bop and Panamanian roots with superb fluidity, providing an immersive listening experience.
Favorite Tracks:
01 - For Mr. G ► 02 - Flash of the Spirit ► 04 - Luz