Something Beautiful (1709-2110)

MARKO DJORDJEVIC & SVETI: Something Beautiful (1709-2110)
Goalkeeper, 2013

MODERN JAZZ – Marko Djordjevic is a powerful Serbian drummer with a fresh, unusual approach that really catches the ear. Half the tracks are trios with up-and-comer Bobby Avey providing lots of advanced harmonic twists on piano; the rest add tenor sax. Odd meters and stark contrasts abound, and the music really builds off that tension.

All good. Fo’s Picks: 1, 3, 4, 6, 7, 10, 11

1. 5:00 – hard-edged postbop burner: simple theme, oblique piano takes off
2. 3:06 – lyrical tune in odd meter: brisk drum drive contrasts w/breezy piano
3. 6:09 – a rainy-day ballad: piano adds light dissonance, bass is relaxed
4. 3:58 – quick tempo, driving riffs: piano spins and stretches, strong drums
5. 3:34 – friendly, winking cha-cha; brief piano & sax solos slide off-axis
6. 6:34 – compelling, a bit dark: very catchy groove, angular sax, ballad piano
7. 6:03 – rising, reaching melody over fluid drums; bass solo, soaring piano
8. 5:05 – mysterious, slow and winding: gently playful sax, fractured rhythms
9. 4:48 – aloof at first, fast 7/8 rhythm takes over as piano becomes abstract
10. 5:10 – troubled, haunted: sax moans/wails, wild rhythm, becomes stirring
11. 5:39 – upbeat rhythm, jaunty sax, but follows a bizarre angle in the middle
12. 4:46 – another version of #3, now relaxed with a light, airy swing

[ Fo ] - 26 May 2013