World Music Mix: Giorgio Panico(Italy)-Album: I Ching (Dodicilune Records, 2022)

 

Giorgio Panico(Italy)-Album: I Ching (Dodicilune Records, 2022)

This album is based on the homonymous ancient Chinese divination text. The tracks were composed by elaborating the underlying philosophical and mathematical concepts. The musical choices were confirmed by consulting the oracle itself.

“The method of the I Ching does indeed take into account the hidden individual quality in things and men, and in one’s own unconscious self as well.” (C. G. Jung – Zurich, 1949)

Tracks
1. Ch’ien the creative, heaven 2. Sun the gentle, wind, wood 3. K’an the abysmal, water 4. Li the clinging, fire 5. Tui the joyous, lake 6. The effect of signs on building character 7. K’un the receptive, earth 8. The inner world arrangement 9. The primal arrangement 10. Chên the arousing, thunder 11. Kên keeping still, mountain 12. Cultural history

Musicians
Giorgio Panico: bass, pipa Carlo Cantini: violin Luca Maria Burocchi: guitar, banjo Emanuele Pellegrini: drums, percussions Music by Giorgio Panico

Produced by Giorgio Panico and Maurizio Bizzochetti, Gabriele Rampino, Dodicilune Label manager Maurizio Bizzochetti (www.dodicilune.it)

Recorded March, May 2021 at Studio Teclas, Perugia, Italy Sound engineers Luca Maria Burocchi, Daniele Marinelli Mixed and mastered September 2021, January 2022 at Studio Teclas, Perugia, Italy Sound engineer Luca Maria Burocchi Cover artwork by Anna Gebbia Photos by Anna Gebbia, Leonardo Corgna

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World Music Mix

JazzWorldQuest Showcase 2023: Florin Raducanu (Romania)- Fugue Fantasia for Piano

 

Florin Raducanu (Romania)- Fugue Fantasia for Piano

Classical-Jazz Fugue Fanstasia #2” is the second Piano Fugue addressed to both classical and jazz pianists.
In any case, the elements of Bachian Instrumental Counterpoint, jazz harmony, or compositional techniques from the developmental work serve as educational elements that show how jazz and classical music share an improvisational language (present in both Bach and Gershwin).

Like the previous “Jazz Fugue #1”, the new “Fuga Fantasia #2” follows the aesthetic path started by George Gershwin, very correctly understood by Maurice Ravel (see Sonata in G for violin and piano), Leonard Bernstein or John Williams in the creation of classical-jazz symbiosis.

The fugue was written in 2022 by pianist, composer, and professor Florin Raducanu. It is based on the concept of the symbiosis of jazz and classical/baroque music, with the Bachian contrapuntal style serving as its foundation. Thus, Raducanu proves once more that the improvisational technique, which is present in both baroque and jazz, offers the opportunity to produce a polyphonic work in a language that fuses baroque style with the nuanced vocabulary of modern jazz.

Florin Raducanu website /  Purchase musical score

JazzWorldQuest Showcase 2023

JazzWorldQuest Showcase 2022: Marco Trabucco(Italy) Album: X [ics]

 

Giulio Scaramella – Piano
Marco Trabucco – Doublebass / Compositions
Luca Colussi – Drums
Maddalena Calamai – Flute
Costanza Pennucci – Horn
Emanuele Andreatta – Violin
Alessandro Dalla Libera – Viola
Federico Motta – Cello

CREDITS
Mixed and mastered by Stefano Amerio at Artesuono Studio, Cavalicco (UD), produced by Marco Trabucco for Abeat records.

X [ics] is the new album by doublebass player Marco Trabucco.

Innovator in his area, Marco Trabucco embraces experimenting with contemporary music’s new sounds.
His latest album, “X [ics]”, is a demonstration of his commitment to pushing the boundaries of contemporary jazz and breaking away from the homogeneity that has become prevalent in recent years.

The title of the album, which references the ten performers featured on the album as well as the unique blend of classical chamber music and jazz, serves as a fitting representation of Trabucco’s willingness to challenge conventions and explore the unknown. The new album is a must-listen for aficionados of forward-thinking jazz, as it showcases Trabucco’s ability to seamlessly integrate disparate styles, and his openness to new musical stimuli.

Indeed, the structure of the band combines a classical ensemble (flute, horn, piano and strings, joined by marimba and balafon) with the typical jazz quartet.
The album showcases several nods to jazz greats, such as Chick Corea’s “Temple of Isfahan” on the opening track “One for Max”, and the beginning of the theme of Coltrane’s “Giant Steps” which is reworked as an evocative variation on the last track “Otranto”.

Think, for example, of Schoenberg’s chamber music for strings, where intervallic tensions from the classical music are sometimes used to achieve the desired timbral and harmonic results. As far as orchestration choices are concerned, the solutions adopted propose sound refractions aimed at broadening the harmonic spectrum of the thematic cells used. From the perspective of a jazz musician like Trabucco, there is a seamless succession of traditional elements, sounds from the classical zone, and areas of improvisational themes that combine into a potential infinite.

http://marcotrabucco.com/
https://www.instagram.com/marcotrabucco_bass/
https://www.facebook.com/marcotrabuccomusic
https://www.youtube.com/@TheTrambust

JazzWorldQuest Showcase 2022

JazzWorldQuest Showcase 2023: Jean-Michel Pilc(France)-Album: Symphony (Justin Time Records)

 

Jean-Michel Pilc Nouvel album Symphony Sortie le 17/02/2023 chez Justin Time Records

Le pianiste de jazz Jean-Michel Pilc est de retour avec son nouvel album Symphony qui sort le 17/02/2023 sur le label canadien Justin Time Records. Ce disque est né d'une séance d'improvisation en solo en 2021 au studio OJM au Portugal. Ce jour-là, sur un piano Steinway, Jean-Michel Pilc se laisse porter et emporter par un flux créatif, comme un voyage qui le fait quitter de son propre aveu le monde réel, et qu'il nous fait partager aujourd'hui. "Il n'y a peut-être pas de pianiste de jazz plus diversifié et imprévisible, d'une chanson à l'autre, que Jean-Michel Pilc" a déclaré Thomas Conrad de JazzTimes. Célébré depuis déjà de nombreuses années pour la qualité de ses improvisations, le pianiste et compositeur Jean-Michel Pilc s'est produit avec de nombreux géants du jazz. Né à Paris et aujourd'hui citoyen américain, il a joué avec de nombreux géants du jazz tels que Roy Haynes, Michael Brecker, Dave Liebman, Jean Toussaint, Marcus Miller, ou John Abercrombie pour n'en citer que quelques-uns. On découvre aujourd'hui un extrait de l'album Symphony avec cette vidéo live enregistrée à Montréal au Crescent. "Jean-Michel Pilc travaille sans filet.  Pianiste-compositeur prolifique et improvisateur étonnant, il excelle par sa constante créativité et nous offre des spectacles en solo à couper le souffle" DownBeat   Né à Paris, Jean-Michel Pilc a un talent qui est le fruit d'une grande imagination et d'une sensibilité intrépide dans la découverte musicale. Autodidacte, il joue avec liberté et clarté dans la palette sonore et harmonique. Riche d'une nombreuse discographie solo, Jean-Michel Pilc a également joué avec de nombreux musiciens comme Richard Bona, Aldo Romano, Martial Solal, André Ceccarelli et bien d'autres. Dans son dernier album Symphony, Jean-Michel Pilc met en avant cette liberté et cette témérité. La naissance du projet remonte à novembre 2021 : "Juste après l’enregistrement de l'album Contradictio du saxophoniste espagnol Xose Miguelez, j’ai été inspiré par les conditions parfaites des studios OJM au Portugal - un magnifique Steinway, une acoustique et des paramètres techniques parfaits. J'ai alors décidé qu'il était temps de faire une session « mémorable » dans le cadre de mon projet solo. Alors Xose et José Trincado, notre ingénieur du son, ont eu la gentillesse de me laisser jouer et improviser librement sur ce piano et de tout enregistrer. Uniquement porté par la musique, j’ai alors commencé. Lorsque l'inspiration s'installe, vous quittez le « monde réel » et la musique vous entraîne dans un nouvel univers totalement unique. C'est exactement ce qui est arrivé, et la dernière note jouée, tout le monde était si enthousiaste qu'ils ont généreusement proposé de le mixer et de le remastériser avec soin pour une sortie ultérieure, qui selon eux, était inévitable." Improvisateur surdoué, Jean-Michel Pilc a travaillé avec Harry Belafonte en tant que directeur musical et pianiste et a interprété un duo avec la légendaire chanteuse d'opéra Jessye Norman. Interprète solo actif sur la scène internationale, Jean-Michel a sorti quatre disques de piano solo acclamés par la critique. Il se produit régulièrement en trio avec des ensembles montréalais et new-yorkais dans les meilleures salles des deux villes L'album Symphony, né de cette séance miraculeuse d'improvisation en solo sort le sur le label Justin Time Records. Site officiel  Facebook    Xavier Chezleprêtre / Attitude Tel : 06 64 63 79 38 Me suivre sur Instagram Me suivre sur Facebook Me suivre sur Twitter

JazzWorldQuest Showcase 2023

JazzWorldQuest Showcase 2023: The Steve Fidyk Live Wire Broad Band (USA)- Album: Red Beats

 

The Steve Fidyk Live Wire Broad Band (USA)- Album: Red Beats

Integrating rhythmic power with musical taste, drummer Steve Fidyk returns to his big band roots, distinctly showcasing his dominant performance skills on this unique collection of original music.

His fourth date as a leader features an all-star band of musicians who hail from the ranks of The Buddy Rich Big Band, The Count Basie Orchestra, The Jazz Orchestra of Philadelphia, Maynard Ferguson’s Big Bop Nouveau, The Army Blues, The Navy Commodores, and The Airmen of Note.

Featured soloists include some of New York’s finest — guitar legend Jack Wilkins, tenor saxophone titan Walt Weiskopf and contemporary organist Brian Charette. Each soloist is an engaged participant that pushes Fidyk’s polyrhythmic message direct to the battleground.

Release Date:
February 20, 2023

Blue Canteen Music CD Store

JazzWorldQuest Showcase 2023

World Music Mix: The Motet -“Draccus” (single, 2023)

 

The Motet unveil “Draccus,” the existential second single off their forthcoming instrumental album All Day Marking the funk-jazz-soul quintet’s 10th studio LP, All Day will release on Wednesday, January 18, 2023 Out now across platforms“The verses in Draccus paint a dark picture of our socio-political landscape. In contrast, the ascending chords on the instrumental choruses hint at optimism for the future.” – Garrett Sayers, bassist for The Motet

For a little over two decades, The Motet have cultivated a fervent fanbase through immaculate live performances and a seamless blend of funk, jazz, soul, and rock. This unique style and cohesive musical chemistry have led to sold-out shows across the nation – including six headlining slots at Red Rocks and sets at festivals such as Bonnaroo, Bottlerock, Electric Forest, Bumbershoot, Summer Camp, and High Sierra. But even after their 20+ years of accolades and recognition, the legendary outfit – composed of Dave Watts (drums), Joey Porter (keys), Garrett Sayers (bass), Drew Sayers (keys and saxophone), and Ryan Jalbert (guitar) – are still exploring new sonic and thematic ideas. Now, the band is revving up towards their 10th studio album, All Day, which will release on Wednesday, January 18, 2023. All Day marks The Motet’s first primarily instrumental project since 2009’s electronica-fueled Dig Deep. Fans got their first taste of All Day with the album’s lead single, “‘79,” a lavish funk and soul epic. With a retro-futurist style, the track takes you into the funky past of the 70s and 80s while fortifying its pastiche with decidedly modern elements. Today, The Motet release “Draccus,” a hazy, funk-fueled experience. Filled to the brim with lush sonic details and powerful lyricism, “Draccus” juxtaposes grim verses with cathartic, hopeful choruses. “Draccus” embodies what The Motet have concocted with All Day, an album that will retain the infectious grooves and immaculate, layered arrangements that The Motet have become known for. But by recentering the listening experience around the playing and composition, All Day emphasizes the band’s instrumental mastery molded by two decades of shared musical chemistry. As a result, the new LP promises to showcase a world-class band at the peak of their powers while simultaneously adding potent social themes that address modern political strife. “Draccus” kicks off with a growling, deep bass and guitar groove that underlie the dystopian vocoder-synth vocals. The verse then transitions into the song’s cacophonous chorus, which imbues the track with synth and organ chords on top of ascending guitar melodies. Oscillating between politically-charged verses and optimistic instrumental hooks, “Draccus” speaks to the current social reality while offering a tone of hope and resilience in the face of existential doubt. “First eat up all the trees, look out I spit fire/The keeper of the keys, flames are getting higher/Draccus does what he wants,” the band sings, a gloomy, poetic message on the state of the world. But “Draccus” isn’t mere despair. It relates to the socio-political upheaval of the past several years, and uses its arrangements and instrumentation to bring focus to the importance of music and art. For The Motet, society can prosper through community, and music can be that bridging catalyst. Fans can hear “Draccus” and other All Day cuts on The Motet’s upcoming nationwide tour, kicking off with a two-night New Years run at Crystal Bay Casino in Lake Tahoe and stopping through cities like Salt Lake City, St. Louis, Columbus, and Honolulu. In addition to performing at Tucson’s Gem & Jam Festival, the band will also play a special, hometown doubleheader at Denver’s Cervantes Masterpiece Ballroom, to celebrate both the LP release and the iconic venue’s 20th anniversary. The Motet tour dates 12/30/22 Crystal Bay, NV | Crystal Bay Casino 12/31/22 Crystal Bay, NV | Crystal Bay Casino 1/13/23 Telluride, CO | Sheridan Opera House 1/14/23 Crested Butte, CO | Center for the Arts 1/20/23 Denver, CO | Cervantes 1/21/23 Denver, CO | Cervantes 2/3/23 Tucson, AZ | Gem + Jam 2/17/23 Bend, OR | Volcanic Theatre Pub 2/18/23 Bend, OR | Volcanic Theatre Pub 2/24/23 Bozeman, MT | ELM 2/25/23 Missoula, MT | Top Hat 2/26/23 Whitefish, MT | Great Northern Bar 3/1/23 Victor, ID | Knotty Pine 3/2/23 Boise, ID | Olympic Lounge 3/3/23 Salt Lake City, UT | Commonwealth 3/4/23 Salt Lake City, UT | Commonwealth 3/10/23 Buena Vista, CO | Ivy Ballroom 3/11/23 Buena Vista, CO | Ivy Ballroom 3/15/23 Indianapolis, IN | Vogue 3/16/23 St Louis, MO | Delmar Hall 3/17/23 Columbus, OH | St. Fatty’s Daze @ The Woodlands 3/18/23 Columbus, OH | St. Fatty’s Daze @ The Woodlands 3/19/23 Cleveland, OH | Beachland Ballroom 3/24/23 Honolulu, HI | Blue Note 3/25/23 Honolulu, HI | Blue Note

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World Music Mix

World Music Mix: Ghostwoods(Australia)-Album: My Neon (4000 Records, 2023)

 World Music Mix: Ghostwoods(Australia)-Album: My Neon (4000 Records, 2023)

Ghostwoods(Australia)-Album: My Neon (4000 Records, 2023)

Ghostwoods-Saturnine

Led by musician/composer James Lees, the languorous, atmospheric music of Ghostwoods has been gradually blinking into existence since the lockdown winter of 2020. Isolated and with time to kill at his home in Mt Nebo/Jinibara Country, James turned to composing and tinkering on the piano with the sparse and spooky fragments that would become the first collection of Ghostwoods compositions.

Created at Mount Nebo-based recording studio Wild Mountain Sound, with much-loved Brisbane producer Jamie Trevaskis, the first compositions were released on the Dark Moon EP in late 2021. In 2022, work continued on a full-length album, entitled My Neon, presaged by the singles ‘Terminal Bliss’ (Oct 2022) and ‘Brighter Now’ (Dec 2022).

Like all of the music in this first wave of Ghostwoods compositions, My Neon retains its piano-led provenance, fleshed out by synths, percussion and contributions from key collaborators Mark Angel (electric guitars), Karl O’Shea (bass), Andrew Saragossi (flute/clarinet/sax) and Rohan Seekers (keys/synths).

“The more I work on Ghostwoods music, the more I understand what it is actually about,” says Lees. “Having always been used to working with singer/songwriters, I am very concept-based and the instrumental setting of Ghostwoods subverted and challenged that for me. As we do more recording, and more live shows, the music and the project itself is teaching me what it is about. It’s such a fascinating and satisfying process.”

My Neon was created with much less planning than typically goes into a James Lees project. Particularly in the studio, Lees is usually meticulously prepared when approaching a session but challenged himself to be more free and leaving space to be playful and experiment.

As with many instrumental pieces, the narrative/theme/meaning is left to the listener to manifest. There are shared intrinsic links between the album’s six tracks, some even unwittingly inhabiting similar musical motifs in their early stages. After being carefully shaped and chiseled in the studio, those shared compositional affinities linger in the tracks and connect them as a whole even with each tune having a distinct stylistic identity.

“The title My Neon is actually the words Mt Nebo autocorrected – I sent this to a friend on a text message, and liked the mistake!” muses Lees. “It came to mean how I see the music in my mind as I strongly experience synesthesia with sound and music. It felt like a way to convey the colours of this sometimes rather dark music, and that is reflected in the artwork too which also features my house in Mt Nebo – my little sanctuary away from the world, and where the music is created.”

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World Music Mix

Jazz World Quest Showcase 2022: Örjan Hultén Orion(Sweden) – Shifting Ground

 

Örjan Hultén Orion(Sweden) – Shifting Ground (Prophone Records)

Örjan Hultén Orion‘s latest album is a collection of eight skillfully crafted tracks that showcase the musical and compositional talents of each band member. Despite the fact that the material has several “parents”, the album maintains a consistent stylistic cohesion that reflects an unifying artistic vision where melodicity embraces improvisation in such a fresh way .

Each track bears the personal touch of the musicians, making the album particularly noteworthy. The title track, composed by Filip Augustson, features an engaging interplay between Hultén’s saxophone and Torbjorn Gulz’s piano, with the melodic dialogue exploring contrasts and harmonies. “Mystique No. 12,” a ballad by drummer Peter Danemo, sees the saxophone moving gracefully over percussion and spacious piano accompaniment. Augustson’s composing skills are also on display in “Bellatrix,” which begins with a textural intro featuring drums, piano, and bass, before giving way to Hultén’s melancholic soprano theme, which is supported by the piano in the second part before transitioning to the next saxophone section.

The album’s only composition by the bandleader, “Las Tres Marias,” is a joyous, tango-inspired track that evokes Nino Rota and his work for Fellini films. “Philomelos” is a unique ballad in which Hultén’s captivating saxophone weaves a narrative through the piano melody, complemented by Augustson’s seamless bowing. Danemo’s “Even in the odds” follows in a playful vein, providing a lively backdrop for the drums, bass, piano, and saxophone to perform with exceptional passion and delicacy. “Rigel” opens with Augustson’s bass line and features the piano setting the stage for the saxophone’s melodic entrance, resulting in a virtuosic piece with entertaining blues accents.

The album concludes with “Nosebleed,” a track rich in rhythmic complexity that allows Hultén to fully show his musicianship.

“Shifting Ground” offers new discoveries with each listen and is well worth multiple plays; it is a deserving reward for the listener.

Musicians: Örjan Hultén – saxophones, Torbjorn Gulz – piano, Filip Augustson – bass, Peter Danemo– drums

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Jazz World Quest Showcase 2022