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  | POINT OF FEW ~ OPEN TO CLOSENESS
BIVAK 003 ~ CZECH REPUBLIC ~ Jazz
Recorded: 2022 Released: 2022
This is an album by Czech Jazz quartet Point Of FewFind albums by this artist, comprising of saxophonist Petr SmekalFind albums by this artist, guitarist Radim PridalFind albums by this artist, bassist Vlastimil SkodaFind albums by this artist and drummer Marek AntonuFind albums by this artist. American keyboardist Jason LindnerFind albums by this artist guests on three tracks. The album presents nine tracks, all original compositions, four by Pridal and the rest co-composed by the quartet members.
The music is wonderful modern Jazz, strongly influenced by Ambient synthesizer / electronics sounds on the first three tracks, where Lindner adds his parts, and much more relaxed and open-spaced on the rest of the album. There is also some Nordic Jazz inspiration, with a slow development and silence incorporated within the fabric of the compositions, mixed with the Slavic romanticism and lyricism, which often characterizes Czech Jazz.
The two leading instruments (sax and guitar) play unisono parts, which creates a very unusual sound, and the interplay between the two soloist is quite remarkable. The rhythm section is also quite unusual, often playing complex rhythm patterns, which somehow miraculously fit together with the melodic flow. In short, this is definitely a highly absorbing piece of music, which requires open-minded approach and patience in order to be fully enjoyed.
Personally, I think that the group made a tactical mistake in placing the three tracks with Lindner at the start of the album, rather than leaving them at the end as a closing, sort of separate chapter, but that is of course an artistic decision not for me to take.
Overall, this is an excellent album, full of beautiful music and very unusual approach to Jazz composition, superbly executed by the musicians involved and offering an unusual sound, which is even further expanded into the Jazz-Ambient Fusion idiom by the participation of their guest. Highly recommended and definitely worth adding to one’s record collection!
| | Updated: 18/05/2024Posted: 18/05/2024 | CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend |
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