IGOR MATKOVIĆ QUINTET: STATE OF KU

Jazz

Format: CD

Code: 114380

EAN: 3838898114380

“An understanding of KU [ EMPTINESS] helps us to see that,
despite how we may see them, things — people, situations, relationships,
our own lives — are not fixed, but dynamic, constantly changing and evolving.
They are filled with latent potential which can become manifest at any time.”

Four years after my last album Sonic Motion was released, I have undertaken a new project with an extended group. I am extremely pleased to have worked with excellent musicians such as Milko Lazar on the rhodes and piano, Jani Moder on the guitar, Jošt Drašler on the bass and Bojan Krhlanko on the drums.
Although we all come from different backgrounds and experiences, we united for State of Ku and created harmony and wholeness. Milko Lazar, a pianist, saxophonist and a composer with an impressive body of compositions for big orchestras, small ensembles, big bands and different concerts for soloists played the piano and Fender rhodes with various effects that have created a unique atmospheric sound. Jani Moder and his projects never cease to amaze us with interesting musical forms. Even if he is not the leader of the band, he is able to fully understand the music in front of him and infuse it with his essence. Jošt Drašler is a bass player who is deeply involved in free improvised
music scene and is constantly experimenting the realms of improvisation. Bojan Krhlanko is one of the most prolific drummers in Slovenia. The fact that he used his mobile phone to record his debut album, Mini Me , tells us that he turns even long train trips into creative voyages.
An important trait of this project is that all of us are based in Slovenia. Musicians often and for various reasons, create projects with artist from abroad and these unions usually last a limited period of time, namely for recording and a concert. Yet, the fact that we all live in Slovenia enables us to keep developing the music over a longer period of time thus creating a mutual sound which can be modified by any one of us at any time.
With this new project and new musicians my perception of improvisation has changed as well. I believe improvisation is fluid and ever-changing creativity free of prejudice and preconceived notions. As this is difficult to achieve in life in general, it is no different in music. Instinctively we turn to fixed patterns, which offer the illusion of safety yet imprison music. In both everyday life and music, improvisation should be present on many levels so as to help us find our way out of a blind alley. After a few months of rehearsals, we recorded the pieces in two days at the national radio, RTV Slovenia. We recorded two or three takes of each song and then chose the one that we all felt captured the essence. The songs Spontaneous Conversations and Moment in Solo are built on spontaneous playing; in the first one Milko Lazar and me got caught in a musical dialogue whereas the second one is based on the solo of the bass player, Jošt Drašler.
Playing with musicians with such an extensive array of ideas for creating ambiance was a unique experience. Dedication and devotion to music and the joint project could be observed all the time and that is precisely what I had been looking for; Creating together music that is unrestricted and free of prejudice. Alive and fluid music, which breathes freely during improvisation and facilitates fruitful communication. Thank you for giving my music a chance.
Thanks to everyone who has worked on this album or inspired it in any way.

TRACKS:

1. REWIND (listen!)
I . Matković / 7: 18
2. SPONTANEOUS CONVERSATION :
PART I
M. Lazar, I . Matković / 2 :55
TALU :
3. I. OPENING
I . Matković / 0 :55
4. II . CIRCLE
I . Matković / 7:40
5. KRHLANKO’S CHANT
I . Matković / 5 :26
6. ODE TO EPHEMERAL LAKE
I . Matković / 10:24
7. SPONTANEOUS CONVERSATION :
PART II
M. Lazar, I . Matković / 3 : 1 1
SILENT STRUGGLE OF A YOUNG SON:
8. I . ANTICIPATION
I . Matković / 4 :5 1
9. II . WINDOW
I . Matković / 3 :23
10. MOMENT IN SOLO
J . D rašler / 1 :44
1 1. SEVEN
I . Matković / 13 :24