For those not in the know, in offering up their debut albums, many jazz musicians tend to embark on a safe, easy road, rarely breaking the standard norms and adhering cautiously to a straight-ahead, standards-packed pathway.

Others may opt to travel down a brash and outlandish highway of tricky twists and turns, with topsy-turvy gestures that serve merely to elicit flash and dazzle.

But then there are the forward-looking artists who feel free to passionately express themselves in a new way that’s all about integrity and originality.

This makes the perfect introduction to the talented newcomer Mauricio Morales, the Mexico City-born, Los Angeles-based bassist/composer/arranger who delivers his compelling first outing, Luna, on Outside in Music.

1. 'Luna'
2. 'The Forest'
3. 'Terremoto'
4. 'Colibri'
5. 'The Glass Door'
6. 'Relojito'
7. 'Garden of Hope'

Indeed, what makes the album so distinctive is his thematic approach in an unorthodox setting, enlisting a string quartet to color and texture the seven reflective and cinematic originals.

Opening on the title track itself, the excitable, yet restrained 'Luna,' that's backed seamlessly by the elegantly free flowing 'The Forest,' the fervent escapade of 'Terremoto' and then we get one of my own personal favorites, the delightfully dreamy 'Colibri.'

Next up is the mesmerizingly effective free spirit of 'The Glass Door,' which is followed by the achingly dulcet 'Relojito,' with the album coming to an all-too-soon close with the much the same spirit imbibed for the translucent 'Garden of Hope.'

“Luna is a tribute to childhood,” Morales says. “Every song depicts a different layer of my own growth. Conceptually I am attempting to tell a story through my music. Each piece represents a chapter in the journey that Luna is meant to be.”

"Many of the songs spring from natural elements, ranging in inspiration from the beauty of the moon to the ravages of an earthquake," he continues.

"They are journey-like episodes with pockets of tension juxtaposed with joy. The overarching takeaway is that they represent the pursuit of a childlike peace of mind and excitement about life.”

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