I really liked this recording! You will also like it; in fact you just may love it! Talk about using the accordion in a manner that will appeal to all who like inspired music making, whether in the so-called classical genre or the equally so-called popular/commercial idiom … well, this group does make inspired music together. Much of it sounds improvisational but not without intense planning pre-performance. The reason I say “improvisational” is that the music has an edge to it that is so exciting! The individual players are not known to me; I assume from the CD liner that they are all young men … who knows, maybe they met in the Sibelius Academy where several of the recordings were made. They sound young, inventive, and yet, they have a sentimental, somewhat dreamy quality in their playing if the music calls for it. The recording also captures the true qualities of the instruments used on the CD and the balance is exceptionally well done, too. Every player is extremely fine, no matter what it is they are contributing to the music at hand. This CD should appeal to musicians of every kind, not just accordionists. That is also part of the beauty of it! Every note is played with excellence and pure exhilaration. The pieces are varied, as are the interesting rhythms created in all of them. It would be truly exciting to sit and watch these musicians do their thing. I hope they can get out of their familiar surroundings and travel to some far and distant venues to give others the great pleasure and opportunity to experience their music first hand. It would indeed be a treat … perhaps more so for a younger generation or, at least, one more excited by new possibilities for fine music experimentation, for want of a better description. The group truly is superb in my opinion. I have heard young and old players trying to discover their own personal tunes (three are composed by members in the group) and improvise on some old ones but many times they do not convey anything of importance to the listener. Instead, they wander and meander about; this group does not do that. Just when you’ve had enough of one style or idea presented, they change it and go on to some other development of their musical thoughts. In addition, the combination of instruments is so very interesting to hear; we’ve heard accordion, bass, vibes and percussion before but, by adding the different guitars, mandolin and ukulele, the music takes on a whole new feel and quality of sound. This is a very fine group of players, indeed, with a grasp on musical architecture to provide interesting new vistas! I encourage you to listen to this group. Buy their CD; maybe they will make another one. Help them continue their zest for interesting music, always well played and in an enjoyable musical manner. Better still, if you can hear them in person, yell BRAVI! Zen Master Records/Rockadillo Records 2004 / ZENCD 2090 www.rockadillo.fi Reviewed by Joan Cochran Sommers (May 2005) |
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