| 1 | L'Etudiant Noir | 6:21 |
| 2 | Seven Aprils In Paris (And A Sophisticated Lady) | 7:03 |
| 3 | Légitime Défense | 3:05 |
| 4 | From The Distance Of My Freedom | 7:45 |
| 5 | Première Miniature (Créole Renaissance) | 2:17 |
| 6 | The Great Camouflage | 6:49 |
| 7 | Deuxième Miniature (Dancing) | 2:39 |
| 8 | We Belong To Those Who Say No To Darkness | 4:43 |
| 9 | The Haberdasher | 5:23 |
| 10 | Lo Que Yo Quiero As Chan Chan | 6:08 |
Aruán Ortiz returns to Intakt Records with Créole Renaissance, a masterfully crafted solo piano album that serves as a profound meditation on the African diaspora. Released in August 2025, this eleven-track program draws inspiration from the 1930s French Négritude movement, seamlessly blending avant-garde improvisation with contemporary classical textures and Ortiz’s deep Afro-Cuban roots.
In this follow-up to his 2017 debut Cub(an)ism, Ortiz showcases a minimalist yet highly expressive voice. The album balances technical brilliance with an evocative use of silence and abstract lyricism, subtly quoting legends like Duke Ellington and Compay Segundo while maintaining a cohesive, modern identity.
Key Tracks & Highlights:
- "L’Étudiant noir": A powerful opening statement titled after the historic literary journal.
- "Seven Aprils in Paris" & "From the Distance of My Freedom": Pieces that showcase haunting melodies and lyrical depth.
- "Première Miniature (Créole Renaissance)": Rhythmic explorations that highlight Ortiz's prodigious technique.
- "Lo Que Yo Quiero es Chan Chan": A sophisticated re-imagining of the Cuban classic.
Intellectually rewarding and conceptually rich, Créole Renaissance is an essential listening experience for fans of modern jazz and innovative solo piano.
