The world of jazz is a diverse playground. Some of it is traditional, some conventional, some innovative and some a little bit of everything. Atacama, the latest album by jazz pianist and singer Cléyla Abraham, falls into the latter category.

Together with Antonin Fresson on guitar, bassist Samuel F'hima and drummer Tilo Bertholo, the French musician, who was born in 1994, has now presented her second album: Atacama serves up a mélange of jazz, classical music, South American and Caribbean influences. What does it sound like?

For example, the not at all nebulous Nébuleuse is a cosy, laid-back piece that flows ballad-like out of the speakers and fills the room with a friendly atmosphere. Mystique, which plays in two parts - an almost three-minute intro and the actual track of a good five minutes - for a total of almost eight minutes, is a cleverly composed and arranged piece that also exudes calm before it fans out into a groovy, melodious sound event and incidentally emphasises just how mature these young musicians already are.

But Abraham and her quartet can also be more tangible, as the opening song Orion proves right from the start. São Paolo carries South American vibes into the listening room, as the title suggests, including a drum solo. Célébration and Mabouya are also similar. In contrast, I keep moving presents itself as a catchy, friendly vocal jazz ballad.

The musical journey through the facets of jazz, which Atacama represents in all its diversity, spans a total of 13 tracks. Why the album was named after a desert, however, is puzzling: although it has plenty of sun and warmth, it is above all full of life. (Thomas Semmler, HighResMac)

Clélya Abraham, piano, vocals
Antonin Fresson, guitar
Samuel F'hima, double bass
Tilo Bertholo, drums

Photo: ©Jérémy Bruyère