Malik Mezzadri is a jazz Flautist born in 1969. He grew up in Pointe-à-Pitre, Guadeloupe where he started recorder (fipple flute) and transverse flute at the age of 6. When he was 13 he learnt flute with Marc Rovelas who made him discover Bach, Xenakis, Ravel and Stockhausen.
from linear notes: Vasko Atanasovski (born 1977 in Maribor) is one of the few Slovenian musicians who, besides researching contemporary improvised music, Afro-American and European tradition, ethnic music from different parts of the world, succeeded to develop exceptional originality in composition and musical style. Numerous projects, in which he had been researching new 9 concepts of communication, aesthetics and creativity, are behind him. In 1990 he won the r award on the competition of young saxophonists from former Yugoslavia. When he was seventeen, he began to play gipsy music and started to take part in dance and theater projects. In 1996 he joined the legendary Quatebriga jazz ensemble. Ever since he has been devoted to his own productions as a founder of many music groups and projects (Vasko Atanasovski Quartet, Vasko Atanasovski iMPRODooM, Slavika Ensemble, Solo Akupunktura, Atanasovski-Berden-Bartoli Trio). In 2001 he published Akupunktura, a small edition solo album, and in 2002 the album Heat Flower came out at the Austrian record label Extraplatte. Suite de passion brings forth contemporary music, marked with elements of flamenco, jazz and ".ein music. The idea is rooted in existentialism: the existence is a ,,passion in both senses, as md desire. These feelings inspired the conception of Suite de passion, dynamic and passionate v among the excellent improviser Atanasovski, outstanding Italian acoustic bassist Roberto imnd all-round Slovenian pianist Dejan Berden.
From the vaults of radio station SWF (today SWR) and previously unreleased, this fantastic group with a rather unusual instrumentation (flutes, bass, drums) blow your ears away. They played music you probably haven't heard before. Call it Free rock, living new jazz or just extremely good music, this trio is far out of any limitations. The music of the Dieter Bihlmaier Selection possesses genuine power, where explosive eruptions alternate with lyric moments. On repeated listening the music develops an irresistible pull that we wish to share with all lovers of "good music". These recordings are without any doubt not only of high musical value, they are also an absolute rarity, since unlike the two albums of the Dieter Bihlmaier Selection, they were recorded just in the trio formation flute, bass and drums and without the participation of the vibraphone player. The SWF-Recordings 1973 of Dieter Bihlmaier Selection are an outstanding musical achievement. CD comes with full coloured 12 pages booklet including band history and a lot of photos. Digitally remastered from the original master tape. If you want to listen to more...... listen to Dieter Bihlmaier Selection The SWF-Recordings 1973.
Trans in Istria
thegoodone, the usuall word
to keep your ears clear
The sopile (or roženice left picture, as it is called in Istria) is an ancient traditional woodwind instrument of Croatia, similar to the oboe or shawm. It is used in the regions of Kvarner, Kastav, Vinodol, Island Krk, and Istria. Sopile are always played in pair so there are great and small or thin and fat sopila. Sopile are musical instrument of sound very interesting possibilities and very piercing special sound. Sopile are, by "mih" and "shurle," today very popular in folk tradition of Istria, Kvarner and Island Krk.
Arthur Blythe has been busy (rewiev is from 2002). He has a new recording, and last month completed a stint with his quartet at the Jazz Standard. Blythe is living in his hometown San Diego again, so NYC jazz fans jumped at the rare opportunity to see him play live. The band - Blythe on alto, John Hicks on piano, Dwayne Dolphin on bass, and Cecil Brooks III on drums - was augmented by longtime Blythe collaborator Bob Stewart on tuba. Blythe's diverse repertoire provided springboards for intriguing soloing and group exchanges. The band "made it look easy" in the plush red velvet surroundings of the Jazz Standard. For those who missed Blythe's live shows, there's a very nice product in record stores now that features the core members of the live band - Blythe, Brooks and Stewart.
Focus sounds like it could have been conceived and recorded by some of the new crop of "downtown" musicians. The spare instrumentation and simple, elegant compositions sound fresh, relevant and forward-looking. But there's also a patina of maturity and self-assuredness that sets Focus apart from rawer, more experimental downtown sounds. That's because the musicians - supported on some tracks by special guest William Tsilis on concert grand marimba - have arrived at their maturity and self-assuredness through decades of experimental efforts. They've spent careers redefining jazz, and the fruits of their labor result in music that is relaxed and understated, yet emotive and powerful.
Drummer Brooks (who also produced the record) is a master of understatement. His impeccable time, thoughtful accompaniment and creative soloing are always tasty and right-on, and bring to mind how the great Art Blakey kicked a small band in the ass. The record's "secret weapon" is Tsilis. He fills a variety of functions - keyboard harmonist, comping colorist and most notably adds an African feel with authentic balafon-like playing. He also gets plenty of solo time, and the results are impressive.
Of course, the record is based around the team of Blythe and Stewart. These two dignified gentlemen, veterans of the ‘70s NYC "loft jazz" scene and countless projects since then, have a musical relationship that goes beyond familiarity. At their best moments, their playing together transcends the music and enters the realm of sound poetry. They can make pure statements. Their interplay - often with Stewart laying down a funky, ostinato bass line under Blythe's spiky, biting alto lines - has been going strong since Lenox Avenue Breakdown. It's now a polished act, and their voices fit like an old shoe.
