iSound

Alexis Cuadrado’s 3rd CD, Puzzles, is an important step forward in the Barcelona-born bassist and composer’s career. Not only did he write and arrange the album’s music, but the project is wholly self-produced. The making of Puzzles also helped inspire him to co-found a new label: Brooklyn Jazz Underground Records.

The Puzzles band features some of the most innovative musicians in New York’s jazz scene: Loren Stillman on sax, Brad Shepik on guitar and Mark Ferber on drums. Trombonist Alan Ferber is as a guest on three songs and Pete Rende adds a special touch playing organ on one track. After a year of intense playing, the group recorded the album in Alexis’ Brooklyn living room in order to capture the raw sound of the band. It was a return to the classic way jazz records used to be made, but forward thinking in musical content.

“I feel it is my most private record,” Alexis stated in a recent interview, “It tells my personal story of the last 3 years… it was initia...