SZILÁRD MEZEI / TÚL A TISZÁN INNEN ENSEMBLE
SLAMCD 579 (2CDs)
Szilard Mezei and the 10 piece ensemble perform more than two hours of Serbian folk songs from Vojvodina, a province of Serbia.
Recorded 19-21 August 2015 at Kulturni Centar Novi Sad, Serbia
This double album is the second of two current releases from SLAM and as one might guess the 11-piece band is very different from his duo with guitarist Jon Hemmersam. Inevitably though, similarities exist and these are largely due to Mezei’s passion for Serbian folk music, especially for the music of Vojvodina, his native home.
The other side of Mezei is his approach to using the musical roots to develop links between improvisation and composition. This side also is his jazz side and through the album there courses a vibrant flood of rhythmical changes set against a rich, condensed tonality. The music is laced with subtleties and delivered with a resonant aplomb that confirms its detectable uniqueness.
Each song is brought out with sound that has impact and is animated, vivacious. This reflects the high standard of musicianship all round and the performance is elegant. This is their music.
Reviewed by Ken Cheetham
SLAMCD 579 (2CDs)
Szilard Mezei and the 10 piece ensemble perform more than two hours of Serbian folk songs from Vojvodina, a province of Serbia.
Recorded 19-21 August 2015 at Kulturni Centar Novi Sad, Serbia
This double album is the second of two current releases from SLAM and as one might guess the 11-piece band is very different from his duo with guitarist Jon Hemmersam. Inevitably though, similarities exist and these are largely due to Mezei’s passion for Serbian folk music, especially for the music of Vojvodina, his native home.
The other side of Mezei is his approach to using the musical roots to develop links between improvisation and composition. This side also is his jazz side and through the album there courses a vibrant flood of rhythmical changes set against a rich, condensed tonality. The music is laced with subtleties and delivered with a resonant aplomb that confirms its detectable uniqueness.
Each song is brought out with sound that has impact and is animated, vivacious. This reflects the high standard of musicianship all round and the performance is elegant. This is their music.
Reviewed by Ken Cheetham
