'Reverie' by Stefan Sirbu

Celebrating the release of his new project, 'Reverie', pianist Stefan Sirbu paints an exquisite sonic landscape alongside some venerable collaborators for his sophomore album release.

The Moldova-born and German-based musician certainly delivered an impassioned statement of intent following the release of his 'Autumn Whispers' debut in 2021.  A warmly-received project that displayed Sirbu's affections for performing alongside somewhat unexpected and international performers with 'Autumn Whispers' boasting collaborations with guitarist Fabio Gouvêa and drummer Paulo Almeida from Brazil and double-bassist Roberto Koch from Venezuela.

A storyteller at heart, Sirbu's music displays a variety of interwoven narratives - a technique that worked wonders for 'Autumn Whispers' but reaches transcendent levels for 'Reverie'.  An album that was envisaged to serve as something of a day dreamers' soliloquy, 'Reverie' exists within those moments of reflection and meditation - an abstract divinity that finds you staring aimlessly out of the train window during the morning commute or succumbing to the tiredness of the day's work stresses as the allure of home draws you ever closer.  It's a rare and magical moment of quiet solace that can take you to the bliss of last night's intimacy or to the lament of what could have been.

'Reverie' is brought to life by an all new and equally dynamic selection of collaborators in the New York-based ensemble including saxophonist Julieta Eugenio, double-bassist Clovis Nicolas and drummer Anthony Pinciotti.  It was having seen the trio perform as part of a quarantined online performance that brought Sirbu to their attention ultimately leading to 'Reverie'.  Sadly the album also serves as something of a swansong for drummer Pinciotti who passed away not long after the album's completion making the beauty of 'Reverie' a fitting commemoration to the talented musician's own legacy.

Across the album's seven ethereal compositions, Stefan Sirbu and company do immaculate justice to the album's concept through a series of original, Sirbu-penned compositions that display an undeniable joy within their presentation.  While an album that openly embraces its influences and inspirations - from Coltrane to Bach - the project still resonates as deeply personal to the pianist and band leader as 'Elsa au Miroir' is revisited from 'Autumn Whispers' and 'V.S.T. (Valse Sans Titre)' is a piece composed by Sirbu over twenty years ago.     

Once again Stefan Sirbu creates a timeless piece of music within a burgeoning catalogue of beautiful releases.  As humbly surmised by Sirbu at the conclusion of the album's inlay card, all that remains is to… "Enjoy the music".

Blue-in-Green:PODCAST #143: Zola Marcelle

Welcome to Episode #143 of the Blue-in-Green:PODCAST which this week sees Imran connect with singer, songwriter and producer, Zola Marcelle.

Following a string of standalone single and EP releases dating back to 2018, the multi-faceted Zola Marcelle releases her debut full-length album entitled 'Home' unveiled through the hallowed walls of London's Jazz Re:freshed.  Adding her name to the revered Jazz Re:freshed lineage which includes Kaidi Tatham, Nubya Garcia and Richard Spaven, Zola's exceptional credentials to date have seen past collaborations alongside Daniel Casimir and Ashley Henry as well as having secured coveted touring duties alongside Myele Manzanza.

'Home' serves as an inspired depiction of Zola's creative peak to date - a fascinating and compelling portrayal of an artist examining the concept of "home" as an individual as well as an ideology within a greater tapestry of culture and heritage.

We're so appreciative of Zola's time for this conversation which sees us delve into her career to date, the ideas and inspirations that brought 'Home' to fruition, the album's incredible supporting cast including Lewis Moody and Rudi Creswick, Jazz Re:freshed and London's thriving jazz landscape.

To grab your own slice of 'Home', please feel free to visit the album's Bandcamp page here.

Blue-in-Green Sessions · Blue-in-Green:PODCAST_#143_Zola Marcelle

'Lightside' by Matteo Pastorino

'Lightside' marks the introduction of bass clarinettist Matteo Pastorino and his quartet as part of the bustling A.MA Records roster.

A.MA have consistently provided a platform for a range of dynamic jazz talent with musicians presenting their debut solo offerings as the first step within their burgeoning musical journey to more experienced artists who have cultivated lengthy and fruitful careers before arriving to A.MA.  In the case of Matteo Pastorino, his extensive accolades would certainly place him within the latter category as the highly decorated performer and composer can lay claim to a multitude of successes to date.

Even prior to the release of Pastorino's debut album - 'V' (Absilone/Socadisc, 2014) - the musician could boast a clutch of awards to his name including the Young Talent Prix at the 2012 Saint Germain des Pres Jazz Festival along with the Selmer Prize as Best Soloist.  Pastorino would continue to amass greater awards and distinctions as the years progressed including his sophomore album release, 'Suite for Modigliani' (Challenge Records, 2017), which saw Pastorino collaborate with world renowned, US-based guitarist, Gilad Hekselman for an elegant homage to the music of Italian painter Amedeo Modigliani.

As a virtuoso in his own right, a composer and band leader, Pastorino's talents have been fully on display via his own projects but his desire to continually create and perform have seen him further grace studios and stages alongside the immeasurable talents of Julian Getreau Quartet, Nicola Andrioli Fourth Stream Ensemble, Emanuele Filippi and Mauro Gargano.

An in-demand and boundlessly talented musician and collaborator, the release of 'Lightside' comes as a great win for A.MA as their celebration of Italian and European jazz continues to lead them to some wonderfully inspired places and projects.

'Lightside' finds Pastorino in fine company as his bass clarinet is joined throughout the album by Domenico Sanna on piano, Dario Deidda on bass and Armando Luongo on drums.  The quartet perform with such a compelling intimacy that breeds phenomenal results, exemplified beautifully in the album opener, 'Gorèe' - an engaging yet understated opening number that relishes within its slow build before teaming with life by the song's climax.  Conversely, 'Coming Back' warrants special mention for its effervescent swing from the unified performances that still boast some excellent solos throughout the track's near-eight-minute runtime.  'Marzo' closes the album with a sublime composition that finds Pastorino and company in an introspective state of mind - a masterclass of gentility and poise that generates yet another soaring album highlight.

With a career that is bursting with praise and plaudits, it's incredible to see Matteo Pastorino still striving to raise the bar for himself with captivating new releases like 'Lightside'. 

'System D' by Biomania

'System D' marks the new album release from French quintet Biomania which finds its home on the Asta Hiroki-helmed Folded Music's sub-label, Most Least.

While Folded Music's sublime take on downtempo electronic music continues to flourish through sensational new music releases by Hiroki himself, Tristan de Liege and Catch92, Most Least continue to have similarly become hugely adept with their presentation of progressive and innovative jazz most recently captured by Ryan Wheless' space travelers union and their enthralling full-length, 'the trials of bunny john'.

Like the space travelers union project, the new release from Biomania serves as a perfect album to encapsulate so many of Most Least's lush musical tendencies and ambition with 'System D' expertly managing to introduce these elements of nu-jazz interweaved within a hip-hop aesthetic across the album's ten compositions.  

Initially conceived as a solo project by saxophonist Thierry Lemaitre - a musician whose sax has graced projects by Jalapeno Records' Ephemerals, Jimi Needles and Marvellous - the project's scope ultimately expanded to incorporate additional musicians who have all contributed to rounding the Biomania unit out into a beautifully conceived and well-rounded sound.

These exquisite selections showcase the band's expansive styles and disciplines across the ever-broadening scope of contemporary jazz.  Boasting their affections for the hip-hop-inspired productions of Jay Dee to the more contemporary stylings of, say, Thundercat or Terrace Martin; Biomania infuse all of these inspired elements into a series of unique and distinctive compositions that further solidify their own remarkable voice within today's jazz music scene.

With tracks ranging from more up-tempo numbers like the vibrant 'Devils' or 'Dinosaur', tracks like 'Dare' and 'Deepness' offer more intimate alternatives with many of the tracks punctuated by such warm keys that really point to an infectious groove-based, neo-soul styling that adorns the music throughout.

'System D' delivers as such a captivating and multi-faceted project that joyously embraces forward-thinking approaches to jazz.  A real delight and another release to showcase the ever-expanding catalogue of Most Least Records.