With its previously released studio albums and spectacular concerts, the Kaleidoscope String Quartet (KSQ) has established itself internationally in recent years. The four Swiss between the late twenties and late thirties transcend the classical string quartet format into new dimensions, leaving behind genre boundaries and at times elicit their instruments from unconventional to unexpected tones. Already on curiosity, her second work published in autumn 2015, fascinated her with striking timbres and charismatic original compositions. All the more they amazed at subsequent performances by virtuosity, dynamic joy of improvisation – and consistent renouncement of any sheet music. The special challenge to play everything by heart “allows a free, risk-taking handling of the musical material and opens up spaces for development and deepening,” explains the first violinist Simon Heggendorn.
[ September the 28th Traumton release: FABIANA STRIFFLER – Sweet And So Solitary ]
Release Date: 28.09.2018
„When Fabiana Striffler takes bow in hand, a magical process begins.“
(Greg Cohen)
Shake Stew – Rise and Rise Again (released on 27h of April 2018) Label: Traumton, Indigo CD 154922 / JAZZ, FUSION
Second recording from well acclaimed Austro-German formation led by bassist Lukas Kranzelbinder, the groove pillar of Mario Rom’s Interzone Trio, took the world by storm, just like their debut The Golden Fang. Immaculately vivid septet with doubled rhythm section and a brass trio grown as on yeasts from igniting festival commission to the Star Band serving fully sold shows wherever they set foot.
What put the band in the spotlight from the very beginning was an incredible hypnotic mixture of the jazz grooves, mixed with afro-beat ad folk which seems to energise needs of todays urban nomads. With an incredible drive supplied by doubled rhythm section the band just rides over the audience’s heads. Additionally, arranges written by leader for the brass are riding fast underlined but the burning sections forces. There are speed, charm and constant virtuosity – ingredients which must spice the dish just right.
An opening Dancing in the Cage of Soul is just like that. The melody puts the spell over your head when your feet are already part of the roller-coaster.
Second recording expands to Octet on two occasions, with the joined force with special guest Shabaka Hutchings, London based Star saxophonist and co-founder of Sons of Kemet group.
He merges energetically just perfect with the Shake Stew’s outcome and it is an immediate click on. His composition called How We See Things is based on African polyphonic rhythm, reminding Malian origins with the brass lines written to die for. Especially Rom’s lines for trumpet are charming and possessing incredible power.
Goodbye Johnny Staccato, vigorous piece driven by extraordinary saxes dialogue flying over bluesy bass walk and repetitive rhythm drags listener from joyful reflection to ecstatic lament. There is something incredibly elegant in the way that arrangements are made and the tune moves from hysteric cannonade to the poetic spin to end up with a New Orleans alike marching climax and killing drums outro, when you started to believe that nothing there can surprise you more.
Fall Downs Seven Times with Mario’s deeply touching intro brings me feelings of Interzone, especially when backed up by the bass lines, but these are the same musicians at the end of the day so it should not surprise. His phrasing, especially with his trademark over-blowing clearly set up the mood and execute composition to the very bottom. It is a one man show.
Get up Eight is another one of the two played as Octet. Again, very Afro-beat influenced with both rhythm and reminiscences to poly-rhythmic African tradition with brass arrangements re-referring to choir tribal traditions. It is very floating and shiny piece without a trace of heaviness which firmed Schabaka’s own tune.
Closing No Sleep my King is more lurking with constant presence of the bass riff , drum-sets shimmering in the background and single brass voices joining the path and coming into unison in melodic choruses. Very cheering tune with an incredible hypnotic power and grip despite of being played slow tempo and mostly piano.
So, the six tunes only but all together leaving a storm in the head and with rich emotional approach and in the same time dance. Storm for refreshing however, not for the hungover and certainly a need for more.
[ Concert review: Veronika Harcsa & Balint Gyemant – 7th of March /Soho Pizza Jazz Club, London]
Veronika Harcsa & Balint Gyemant are both Hungarian artists with whom I am familiar from 2014, when they joined the Berlin based Traumton label, for which I continue reviewing for a good few years now. This was when they recorded their debut album called Lifelover for them which I had a pleasure to review. To make a long story short it was simply sensational, so since that I was hoping to experience it live sooner or later. Meanwhile, three years passed and it didn’t happen. The Duo came back with the following Tell Her, pretty much a year back from now and that also landed with me and got reviewed. But few things, luckily for us who are living in the UK, had changed.