I'm getting closer to the goal of finishing it in January (at least as far as that's possible, since some physical copies haven't arrived yet), and I absolutely cannot wrap up my 2024 to-review-list without covering a stunning highlight from the excellent Polish Jazz label Multikulti Project:
UNLEASHED COOPERATION - Trust (CD) (2024)
The line-up of saxophone, trumpet, piano, double bass and drums couldn't be more classic for a Jazz quintet. Unleashed Cooperation however are not a period band solely focussing on Bebop, Spiritual, Free Jazz or any other specific predominant or niche sound of a certain era.
Instead the band, which purposefully isn't named after a leader, but prides itself in incorporating all its members' creative input equally, achieves a very wide stylistic range, utilizing multiple influences from the last eight decades of Jazz. Smooth Swing, fast flight-of-the-bumblebeeish runs, clear sublime melodies, controlled chaos, playfully eery Doomjazz vibes... this album does it all in a coherent flow without ever losing the plot.
On four of eight tracks "Trust" also features adventurous guest singer Anna Gadt, who brings wispy soulfulness and dramatic Avant-Garde into the mix.
And even with this addition the album never goes to places where it's not supposed to be, while still feeling like a timeless parade of almost everything great about Jazz.
No matter if we're in the 1950's, 1970's or close to The End, you can always "Trust" this album to deliver grandiose performances, arrangements and engulfing atmosphere.
Kamasi, Jaubi, Spinifex, Work Money Death... Last year made it pretty hard to pick my genre favorites. Of course somehow I made my decisions, but honestly Unleashed Cooperation can look eye to eye with any of my choices. Real great stuff!
[Just a reminder to myself: Stephan, next time you order from Multikulti please ask them not to send the package as registered mail, because that always means a pain in the a** extra drive to the post office. Tanks for the attention!]
Instead the band, which purposefully isn't named after a leader, but prides itself in incorporating all its members' creative input equally, achieves a very wide stylistic range, utilizing multiple influences from the last eight decades of Jazz. Smooth Swing, fast flight-of-the-bumblebeeish runs, clear sublime melodies, controlled chaos, playfully eery Doomjazz vibes... this album does it all in a coherent flow without ever losing the plot.
On four of eight tracks "Trust" also features adventurous guest singer Anna Gadt, who brings wispy soulfulness and dramatic Avant-Garde into the mix.
And even with this addition the album never goes to places where it's not supposed to be, while still feeling like a timeless parade of almost everything great about Jazz.
No matter if we're in the 1950's, 1970's or close to The End, you can always "Trust" this album to deliver grandiose performances, arrangements and engulfing atmosphere.
Kamasi, Jaubi, Spinifex, Work Money Death... Last year made it pretty hard to pick my genre favorites. Of course somehow I made my decisions, but honestly Unleashed Cooperation can look eye to eye with any of my choices. Real great stuff!
[Just a reminder to myself: Stephan, next time you order from Multikulti please ask them not to send the package as registered mail, because that always means a pain in the a** extra drive to the post office. Tanks for the attention!]
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