MAREK DORCIK & SPERCASA - About Time
Available from Bandcamp
Marek Dorcik -drums; George Crowley - sax; Miguel Gorodi - flugelhorn and trumpet; Tom Hewson - piano; Mick Coady - double bass
Slovakian born drummer Marek Dorcik is a much sought after professional drummer. He has worked alongside some of the UK's leading jazz artists, including Mike Walker, Alan Barnes, Stuart McCallum, Alice Zawadzki (Moss Project) and Matthew Halsall.
He has been part of ensembles including the European Union Quartet and the Lukas Oravec Quartet, as well as performances at leading jazz festivals including Manchester, London and Cheltenham and venues including the Vortex and Ronnie Scott's. His debut album, 'About Time,' is released on 12th March.
The quintet is called Špercasa, (a Slovakian play on words with 'Šperk' meaning 'jewel' and 'Percasa' resembling the word 'percussion') and comprises Marek Dorcik on drums, George Crowley on sax, Miguel Gorodi on trumpet and flugelhorn, Tom Hewson on piano and Mick Coady on double bass. Each has made their individual contribution to the jazz scene.
The opening track 'Introduction' is a beautiful confluence of bass and drums that create a continuum of sound with hints at African, Arabic, and Western rhythms and patterns. It is rhythmic, pacey and very engaging. ' Initial Suspension' is melodic and deep, the trumpet leading the way with the melody before the sax reflects it, and there is a pause before the full ensemble enters in a swingy, beautifully worked number with rhythmic changes, alterations in emphasis and wonderful piano and bass lines, given emphasis with perfectly placed drum intersections. The pace is relentless right through, and the lead transfers from one musician to another seamlessly. Crowley's sax growls and sings its way to perfection.
'Blue Hour' is introduced by piano chords, over which bass and drums, then brass enter. The piano solo from Hewson is glorious, heady and well worked over the steadfast support. The horns then go head to head in a flugel-sax harmonic debate which works a treat. The piano then takes them in a contrapuntal rhythm section, picked up by the drums and echoed by the brass, given the second half a darker, deeper feel. This track is loud, proud and superb.
'Golden Hour' is lighter. The piano sets the scene with some classical lines with some minor alliterations before the ensemble joins in a slow, swing number that progresses beautifully along, creating a sense of slowly being enveloped, caressed and engulfed with sound. The trumpet soars and rises, and the track is calming, easy on the ears and reflective.
'About Time' is energetic, urgent and imbued with a sense of frustration - given that the album is about expressing concern for our planet, the changing climate, and to evoke thoughts about these issues, it seems fitting. Another stellar sax led section with the sax flitting registers and then coming down to a peaceful interlude, topped over by the trumpet. The piece finishes with slightly chaotic harmonics - maybe what is to come?
'Silent Gratitude' is gentle, melodic and reflective whilst also thematic. There is a pattern of returning, either side of the bass solo in the second and fourth sections, during which the piano lines maintain a circular momentum. Quite beautiful.
'Yes and No' strikes up a walking gait in between varying rhythm patterns - an almost stop, start, reflective of the title and the faster sections are countered by quieter soothing episodes. The sax of Crowley is again outstanding, but not to detract from the other musicians' surety. The pace picks up, slows and picks up again, continuing, then stopping almost mid-pace with a regular interlude of a five-note harmony.
'Spercasa Outre' close the album and is a return to the rhythms of the opening track - superb drumming, tight bass and perfectly nuanced instruments make this a fine finish and complete the circle.
This album is different and yet holds much that makes good music worth listening to again and again. The emphasis on rhythm is perhaps inevitable with the leadership of Dorcik, but that makes it is an interesting album with tracks that give superb arrangements and instrumental lines yet maintain the rhythms and pace.
There is a synergy between the musicians, with each musicians allowing the others freedom of expression and creating space enough at the right time, so each musician shines. They also show their intuitive cohesion, their reading of the other's entry and musical nuances, making it feel like real communication is happening.
Formed only in 2019 to further Dorcik's discoveries in improvisation, 'About time' is a good showcase of the diverging style and choice compositions contained on the album. There is a sense that Marek Dorcik and Špercasa are ones to watch for in 2021 and beyond.
Reviewed by Sammy Stein
Available from Bandcamp
Marek Dorcik -drums; George Crowley - sax; Miguel Gorodi - flugelhorn and trumpet; Tom Hewson - piano; Mick Coady - double bass
Slovakian born drummer Marek Dorcik is a much sought after professional drummer. He has worked alongside some of the UK's leading jazz artists, including Mike Walker, Alan Barnes, Stuart McCallum, Alice Zawadzki (Moss Project) and Matthew Halsall.
He has been part of ensembles including the European Union Quartet and the Lukas Oravec Quartet, as well as performances at leading jazz festivals including Manchester, London and Cheltenham and venues including the Vortex and Ronnie Scott's. His debut album, 'About Time,' is released on 12th March.
The quintet is called Špercasa, (a Slovakian play on words with 'Šperk' meaning 'jewel' and 'Percasa' resembling the word 'percussion') and comprises Marek Dorcik on drums, George Crowley on sax, Miguel Gorodi on trumpet and flugelhorn, Tom Hewson on piano and Mick Coady on double bass. Each has made their individual contribution to the jazz scene.
The opening track 'Introduction' is a beautiful confluence of bass and drums that create a continuum of sound with hints at African, Arabic, and Western rhythms and patterns. It is rhythmic, pacey and very engaging. ' Initial Suspension' is melodic and deep, the trumpet leading the way with the melody before the sax reflects it, and there is a pause before the full ensemble enters in a swingy, beautifully worked number with rhythmic changes, alterations in emphasis and wonderful piano and bass lines, given emphasis with perfectly placed drum intersections. The pace is relentless right through, and the lead transfers from one musician to another seamlessly. Crowley's sax growls and sings its way to perfection.
'Blue Hour' is introduced by piano chords, over which bass and drums, then brass enter. The piano solo from Hewson is glorious, heady and well worked over the steadfast support. The horns then go head to head in a flugel-sax harmonic debate which works a treat. The piano then takes them in a contrapuntal rhythm section, picked up by the drums and echoed by the brass, given the second half a darker, deeper feel. This track is loud, proud and superb.
'Golden Hour' is lighter. The piano sets the scene with some classical lines with some minor alliterations before the ensemble joins in a slow, swing number that progresses beautifully along, creating a sense of slowly being enveloped, caressed and engulfed with sound. The trumpet soars and rises, and the track is calming, easy on the ears and reflective.
'About Time' is energetic, urgent and imbued with a sense of frustration - given that the album is about expressing concern for our planet, the changing climate, and to evoke thoughts about these issues, it seems fitting. Another stellar sax led section with the sax flitting registers and then coming down to a peaceful interlude, topped over by the trumpet. The piece finishes with slightly chaotic harmonics - maybe what is to come?
'Silent Gratitude' is gentle, melodic and reflective whilst also thematic. There is a pattern of returning, either side of the bass solo in the second and fourth sections, during which the piano lines maintain a circular momentum. Quite beautiful.
'Yes and No' strikes up a walking gait in between varying rhythm patterns - an almost stop, start, reflective of the title and the faster sections are countered by quieter soothing episodes. The sax of Crowley is again outstanding, but not to detract from the other musicians' surety. The pace picks up, slows and picks up again, continuing, then stopping almost mid-pace with a regular interlude of a five-note harmony.
'Spercasa Outre' close the album and is a return to the rhythms of the opening track - superb drumming, tight bass and perfectly nuanced instruments make this a fine finish and complete the circle.
This album is different and yet holds much that makes good music worth listening to again and again. The emphasis on rhythm is perhaps inevitable with the leadership of Dorcik, but that makes it is an interesting album with tracks that give superb arrangements and instrumental lines yet maintain the rhythms and pace.
There is a synergy between the musicians, with each musicians allowing the others freedom of expression and creating space enough at the right time, so each musician shines. They also show their intuitive cohesion, their reading of the other's entry and musical nuances, making it feel like real communication is happening.
Formed only in 2019 to further Dorcik's discoveries in improvisation, 'About time' is a good showcase of the diverging style and choice compositions contained on the album. There is a sense that Marek Dorcik and Špercasa are ones to watch for in 2021 and beyond.
Reviewed by Sammy Stein
