Jan 25 2015
Recommended: Valia Calda – “Valia Calda EP”
An absolutely riveting debut EP from the Valia Calda quintet, blending modern post-bop, Greek traditional, free improv and Balkan music. Electronics, Cretan lute, Cretan lyra, and tsambuna fit right in with traditional jazz instruments. Without missing a beat, the music goes from a late-night jazz club cool to an ambling post-bop to a Frisellian eeriness to Mediterranean seaside ease.
Though arranged from two Epirus folk tunes, “Epirus Suite” does more to spotlight the quintet’s strengths in modern post-bop expressions, especially those that hit upon areas that Bill Frisell and Brian Blade Fellowship mark as their respective territories. It’s a massively arresting opening track, effortlessly shifting gears from a heart-on-the-sleeve melodicism to a hard-charging lyricism. The quintet display a real talent for the right turn of phrase at just the right time. Guitarist Nikos Ziarkas sets a captivating tone early, while trumpeter Sam Warner‘s fiery solo lifts the song up in flight.
Second track “Neda” comes right out with a dancing motion atop a driving tempo. Where Rob Milne‘s bass clarinet cast shadows on the previous track, here he’s all about the sunlight with his flute. On guitar, Nikos Ziarkas mirrors the darting motion set into place by Milne, while also providing evidence that his guitar is more than just a tool for ambiance and effects.
“Ornette in Space” opens with a smokey presence, a cool blue tone and a simmering tempo. Thodoris Ziarkas and Gaspar Sena set the scene and move it at will on bass and drums, while the bright tone of Warner’s trumpet contrasts nicely with the prevailing moodiness. That moodiness eventually gives ground to a volatility that grows increasingly out of control.
Final track “Nocturne” digs deep into the traditional while also accentuating the band’s experimental nature. An arrangement and lyrics of a Karpathos folk tune is crosshatched with guitar effects and a slow boil post-bop.
All kinds of cool, and a very promising start to their recording career.
Your album personnel: Rob Milne (bass clarinet, flute), Sam Warner (trumpet), Nikos Ziarkas (guitar, electronics, Cretan lute), Thodoris Ziarkas (double bass, cretan lyra, tsambuna), Gaspar Sena (drums) and guests (on “Nocturne”): Tom Green (trombone), Saul (vocals), Alexandros Miaris (analog synths) and Theodoros ‘‘Siozos’’ Ziarkas (voice).
This album is Self-Produced.
Jazz from the London scene.
Available at: eMusic | Bandcamp | Amazon
| 
+MP3
Jan 26 2015
Outside Ordinary: Tim Daisy’s Relay Recordings
Relay Recordings is the label of Chicago drummer Tim Daisy. It was originally a device for releasing his own music, but lately it’s begun to release albums by musicians that Daisy either collaborates with or has existing relationships. As a lynchpin of the Chicago free improv scene, naturally, these recordings represented Daisy’s hometown environs, but now, with his New Composer’s series, Relay Recordings has begun expanding its reach outside of Chicago and overseas to Europe.
Ultimately, though, Daisy sums up the label’s goals as such: “I try to release the music that I feel best represents what I’ve been up to recently both as a performer and composer,” adding, “But also to capture and document some of the new music being made in Chicago’s thriving avant-garde scene.”
A lot of the music on this label is wildly expressive. The path taken isn’t always laid out with clear trail markers. Car chase scenes have their fair share of collisions. Genre has little to do with it except as established points of reference. Improvisation and in-the-moment creativity is key. Some of this improvisation takes the form of new ways of thinking and some of it echoes traditional forms of Jazz language. It’s also exciting and imaginative and fun.
Here are some of the albums I’m really taking to…
*****
Tim Daisy – October Music Vol. 1: 7 Compositions for Duet
Released December 2014.
*****
Russ Johnson Quartet – Meeting Point
Released May 2014.
*****
Bill MacKay – Chatham Park
Released October 2014.
UPDATE: It appears that this album is no longer on the Relay site. You can check it out now on MacKay’s own Bandcamp page.
*****
Vox Arcana – Soft Focus
Released in September 2012.
*****
Tim Daisy Quartet – Streets In Time
Released February 2013.
*****
Purchase these titles (and others) at Relay Recordings’ Bandcamp page.
*****
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By davesumner • Artist Overviews, I Listen To All Of This • 0