1. Veronique
2. Testament
3. Sianie
4. Oblatsi
5. Viara
6. Na mama
7. Lune
8. Souvenir des Balkans
9. Pessen
Georgi Kornazov - Trombone
Emile Parisien - Soprano sax
Manu Codjia - Guitar
Marc Buronfosse - Bass
Karl Jannuska - Drums
Kornazov’s lively quintet indicates a healthy state
of jazz in Bulgaria. This group plays in the contemporary manner,
improvising lines on original material but never going too far out
for more mainstream audiences to lose interest. The opening Veronique
is a loping piece, played in relaxed style by the leader and his
sidemen. Kornazov’s trombone playing suggests a very good technical
command of his instrument and his arrangements of his own compositions
indicate a solid background of musical education, possibly more in
classical music than jazz, at least initially. Parisien’s soprano
lines are equally impressive technically and, like the leader, he
can play in a soulful manner. Codjia’s guitar sounds somewhat more
commercial than the other soloists but he fits in well and provides
a foundation in the rhythm section in the absence of a piano. All
three soloists are tireless and inventive improvisers with Codjia
functioning in the front line as well as supporting staunchly in the
rhythm section.
Testament is a slow, rather melancholy ballad
with the leader’s trombone prominent in solo ,as soprano and guitar
weave contrapuntal lines around him. Bass and drums support well and
the bassist has a big, ripe sound, always a plus in this sort of combo.
His solo here is well articulated and full bodied generally. The general
standard of integration between these musicians would suggest that
they have been together for some time. The next two tracks again
contrast medium pace followed by slow ballad and again the melancholy
aspect is prominent. Oblatsi has very intense, carefully
crafted ensemble playing by the three soloists with appropriate cymbal
splashes from drummer Jannuska and a Spanish inflected bass solo
from Buronfosse. His solos are reminiscent of the style Charlie Haden
adopted on his Liberation Orchestra discs.
According to the notes Viara, in Bulgarian,
means hope and faith; faith in one’s art. Stick a g after the first
a and it means something very different in English but we won’t go
there just now. This track is an up-tempo swinger and features a more
straight-ahead guitar outing from Codjia. More impressive counterpoint
is heard on this one too and lively, well- constructed solos by Kornazov
and Parisien.
There is plenty to enjoy and absorb here with the music
often taking unexpected turns and moving generally in new directions
frequently. And that, representing the sound of surprise, is one of
the main things that jazz is, or should be, all about.
Derek Ansell
CD Reviews
BMC
CD 145
