Jan 26 2017
Recommended: Omikron Project – “Solstice”
There’s a compelling mix of influences and expressions on Solstice, and tracing them as they perpetually come together and pull apart is the album’s winning quality. Athens-based ensemble Omikron Project additionally sources its regional roots in music to Dutch and French origins, and the way these folk musics lend to the abiding sound is one of several points of interest. That instruments like Hohner Guitaret, Aegean bagpipes, steel guitar, and didgeridoo are joined with more jazz traditional instruments such as soprano sax, drums, and bass are another source of delight. But perhaps the greatest source of joy comes from the diverse array of expressions the ensemble produces from the unusual mix of ingredients. The percussion-heavy “TTC” and the ambient fusion of “Floating” and the post-bop of “Five on Fire” and the electro-acoustic drone of “Zero Option” and the folk-heavy “Lost In Three” all lead to a parade of different sounds that, remarkably, all flow together in a way that makes perfect sense.
A nifty recording, and one not to let fly under your radar.
Your album personnel: Nikolas Tsilogiannis (drums, percussion, idiophones), Alex Drossos (soprano sax, didgeridoo, beckophone), Henk Spies (soprano sax, electronics) and Dinos Zoumperis (bass, Hohner Guitaret, modular synthesizer, Aegean bagpipe).
This album is Self-Produced.
Listen to more of the album at the artist’s Bandcamp page.
Music from Athens, Greece.
Available at: Bandcamp
Robert Middleton
January 26, 2017 @ 8:21 pm
Hi Dave, I found so much great jazz in 2016. Hope 2017 can be just as good. I have a few things I have my eye on. I hope you keep finding stuff on eMusic as that’s where I’ve been buying most of my stuff these days.
Speaking of eMusic, did you know that Tzadik just uploaded their whole catalog to that site!? They used be there but pulled out several years ago. This includes the whole Book of Angels catalog with one of the latest by Craig Taborn – a very good one indeed, plus several hundred other obscurities and gems. Hard to know where to start.
In any case, have a great year of reviewing. If I notice anything great of note, I’ll let you know.
Cheers, Robert
davesumner
January 27, 2017 @ 7:08 pm
Hey, Rob.
I did see that Tzadik uploaded their catalog! I think that’s seriously exciting. I even made a post about it on the eMusic forum. I’m still an emu member, and I’ll likely be directed most of my monthly lot toward Tzadik recordings.
I have noticed that many of the album I recommend aren’t getting retailed on eMusic. It was notable how many times I’d be adding retail links to a write-up and discover that emu wasn’t selling it. Not sure the reason for that. Probably more than one reason, in fact.
Definitely let me know when you find anything interesting. My Best of Bandcamp Jazz for January should be hitting the BC Daily in about a week. There are a couple under-the-radar albums included that had me very excited.
Cheers,
Dave