Vasko Atanasovski Adrabesa Quartet, Phoenix featuring Michael Godard on Tuba and Serpent…

This review is going to be unique as you may have noticed that there is no one on bass, but that does not mean that the low-end is not represented. Michael Godard does a great job of that on the tuba and its distant ancestor, the serpent.

“Phoenix” is a collection of nine original tunes all composed by saxophonist, Vasko Atanasovski. This music has an exquisite old-world quality in the musical patterns as well as the voice of instruments. At times it has a rustic feel and at others, pushes the envelope as the musicians really cut loose in turn. In addition to Vasko and Michael, we have Simone Zanchini on accordion and Bodek Janke on drums and tabla with special guest Ariel Ver Atanasovski on cello.

These musicians are all top-notch and each is a beast in their own right.

Listening to track-after-track, I felt transported to distant places and times. I could imagine listening to this group in a village plaza somewhere or even under a big top of a traveling circus. The general feel is upbeat and it incorporates a blend of familiar patterns with new approaches to the musical stories being told. There are a plethora of interesting, distinct choices made in the composition and the dynamic performance of each track.

If you are a fan of cool world music, make sure to check this album out as my words can’t quite do it justice.

Vasko Atanasovski Adrabesa Quartet, Phoenix available at Amazon.com

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