Record Reviews

DAWDA JOBARTEH / STEFAN PASBORG ~ LIVE IN TURKU APRIL 125 (Barcode: 5709498112527) ~ DENMARK ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion Recorded: 2023 Released: 2024 This is a live album by the duo of Gambian kora player Dawda JobartehFind albums by this artist and Danish Jazz drummer Stefan PasborgFind albums by this artist. The album presents seven tracks, two each composed by Jobarteh and Pasborg, two are Jazz standards and one is a traditional tune. This is the 2nd album by the duo. The album sounds more like Psychedelic Rock from the 1970s, rather than an amalgam of West African music and Jazz, mainly due to the heavily amplified kora and powerful drumming, but of course the Jazz-World Fusion elements are also there, as expected, somewhat hidden beneath the surface. The result is very unusual and even sensational to a degree, which of course is always a welcome surprise. Both musicians are Masters of their instruments and obviously enjoy the musical rapport between them, which seems to have no clearly set stylistic boundaries. Personally I sort of miss the natural / acoustic sound of the kora, which is usually deeply lyrical, but I appreciate the attempt to take the instrument into new area, where it sounds more like electric guitar. I am not familiar with other recordings by Jobarteh, so I don’t know if this is his usual approach to this instrument. I also suppose that Pasborg’s drumming style herein is primarily accommodating the Rocky guitar-like excursions. Overall, this is a highly unusual album, which offers a Jazz-Rock Fusion musical excursion disguised as a Jazz-World Fusion one, but nevertheless remains to be exciting, surprising and educational. Appearances can be deceptive, and in this case they surely are, but all for the good. This album might be as exiting to Jimi HendrixFind albums by this artist fans, as to kora and West African music enthusiasts. Definitely worth investigating!

Updated: 23/05/2024Posted: 23/05/2024

CD 1 Mini-Sleeve Recommend To A Friend

RYBACKA / PASBORG ~ VOICE`N`DRUMS HEVHETIA 0157 (Barcode: 8588005258203) ~ POLAND ~ Avant-Garde Jazz-Classical Fusion Recorded: 2016 Released: 2017 This is the debut album by a duo comprising of Polish (resident in Denmark) vocalist Ania RybackaFind albums by this artist and Danish drummer Stefan PasborgFind albums by this artist. It presents eight improvised pieces co-credited to Rybacka and Pasborg. The music is a courageous attempt to create meaningful aural experiences within the minimalistic setting of voice and drums only, which surprisingly works out very successfully. Obviously cross-genre and unconventional, the music encompasses many different ingredients, both melodically and rhythmically and is very difficult to pinpoint, which of course is its virtue. There are clearly elements of Jazz and Improvised music, but also World Music, Ambient, Meditative Music and others are involved. Rybacka uses a plethora of wordless vocal techniques like looping, multiplexing, repetition and minimalistic Classical Music approach, creating a musical tapestry full of mysticism, anticipation and spirituality. Her level of inventiveness and exploration is awe inspiring and the album has no dull moments throughout its entire duration. Pasborg is not only equally inventive and diverse in his contributions, but most importantly an equal partner in the process of creating this music. The interplay and telepathic dialogue that develops between the two Artists is nothing short of phenomenal. Overall this Avant-Garde effort is a fascinating and intelligent exercise in expanding the boundaries of music, which in spite of its innovation and daring approach is also very listenable and even enjoyable. Of course, as usual in such cases, an open-minded attitude is required from the listener to be able first to accept and then to enjoy this music. This is an important and highly recommended album, which proves that imagination has no limits and life does not have to be mundane and enslaved in the chains of archaic perceptions.

Updated: 12/04/2019Posted: 23/02/2018

CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend