Camila Nebbia has been active in the Argentinian jazz scene. How active? In a recent interview she joked that she had no idea how many albums she performed on last year. This one is hers, performed with a 10-piece ensemble. And as wide-ranging as the pieces on Aura are, I have a feeling this set just scratches the surface of Nebbia's musical curiosity.

Camila Nebbia Aura (ears&eyes)

Nebbia is the saxophone you hear, and she leads the crew. These pieces fall into what I like to think of as "traditional" improvised jazz. That is, the parameters are set down, and then the group works separately and together to further those initial thoughts.

But there's a lot more going on here. I hear a lot of Carl Stalling in the themes, the frantic get ready-get ready-wait-GO! rhythms of those classic Warner Brothers cartoons. And then there's the majestic-yet-introverted, introspective-yet-roaring dichotomies of the second track, "Algunos Rastros de la Memoria." Experiencing the full 18 minutes of that piece feels like an extended trip around Nebbia's consciousness.

Except that, of course, the rest of the album shows even more contradictions and connections. By no means is this a jazz album for the masses. Nebbia doesn't restrain herself or create easy points of connection. This is, however, an album for those who see music as a journey, a pathway into different ways of thinking. Truly something amazing.

Jon Worley