For nearly three decades, Carlos Niño has been a vital presence in Los Angeles’ creative music community. His collaborations with artists including André 3000, Laraaji, and Shabaka Hutchings reflect the curiosity at the heart of his own practice, where atmosphere and improvisation keep the music in motion.
Across the past two Big Ears festivals, audiences have encountered Niño leading Carlos Niño & Friends and helping shape ensembles of many different sizes. That collaborative instinct carries into rain music, his new album with pianist and producer Duval Timothy.
The project began on a rainy November afternoon in Timothy’s London studio, where the two improvised together on prepared piano and percussion. Working later from London and Topanga, they expanded those sessions with contributions from Laraaji, Navy Blue, Nate Mercereau, Darius Jones, Michael Alvidrez,
and Aaron Shaw.
The result is spacious and unhurried, with each voice entering gently and subtly reshaping the landscape.