release date: January 22, 2019
“Groundbreaking…subtle touches of colour and texture in his charts reminiscent of Gil Evans and Maria Schneider. Like them, Nikolov is inspired by the stirring sororities of French horn, tuba, and accordion. But he blends Balkan metrical and tonal elements into his mix, and they introduce their own exotic aura. This project should claim a place among the most creative current large jazz ensembles in Europe.” – JAZZ TIMES (USA)
“…a pan-European group of improvising musicians in 10 rhythmically complex, harmonically evocative compositions, all impeccably arranged. In these, they might reference Balkan tunes, rock, hip-hop, classical music or traditional jazz – without settling on any one thing.” – DOWNBEAT (USA)
“Beautifully balanced pieces and adventurous arrangements bring this richly varied music that brings the listener to a highly elevated state.” – JAZZFLITS (Netherlands)
The Nikolov-Ivanovic Undectet feat. Magic Malik is a large ensemble with an eclectic instrumentation. This eleven-piece band led by pianist and arranger Vladimir Nikolov and drummer Srdjan Ivanovic fuses tradition and out-of-the-box thinking to produce sophisticated Balkan influenced music that challenges the listener on an emotional and intellectual level.
Featuring some of the best inter-generation musicians from Serbia and France the band is presenting their new album Frame and Curiosity. They were joined on the album by the flautist Malik Mezzadri, known as Magic Malik and upon realising the musical fit of Malik’s playing and sound with the Undectet, he became an important factor in the new album’s sound.
Line up:
The NIKOLOV-IVANOVIC UNDECTET is:
VLADIMIR NIKOLOV (piano, compositions, arrangements),
SRDAN IVANOVIC (drums, compositions),
LUKA IGNJATOVIĆ (alto sax), KRISTIJAN MLAĆAK (tenor sax), DORDE KUJUNDŹIĆ (baritone sax), MARKO DORDEVIĆ (trumpet, flugelhorn), TEODOR BLAGOJEVIĆ (French horn), VLADIMIR VEREŚ (trombone), MILOŚ BUDIMIROV (tuba), MIHAIL IVANOV (bass), NOÉ CLERC (accordion), and special guest MAGIC MALIK (flute).
Track list:
1. L’Étranger 09:19 (Nikolov)
2. Timbre and Prayer 06:53 (Nikolov)
3. Komšija 07:12 (Ivanovic)
4. Across The Threshold 05:26 (Nikolov)
5. Anonymous 05:28 (Nikolov)
6. Carefree 06:12 (Nikolov)
7. Long Ago (Intro) 02:00 (Ivanovic)
8. Far Away 05:42 (Ivanovic)
9. Sade Sati 07:19 (Nikolov)
10. Memories 04:26 (Nikolov)
11. One More Day 07:41 (Nikolov)
All arrangements by Nikolov,
except 7 & 8 arranged by Ivanovic & Nikolov.
Recorded by Milan Prokop at Future Nature Sound Studio, Pancevo, Serbia, July 10 & 11, 2019. Mixed by Sasha Jankovic. Mastered by Emil Spanmyi.