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Reviews

Djabe — Update
(Gramy Records GR-099, 2001/2012, CD)

by Mike Ezzo, Published 2003-08-01

Update Cover art

Unlike some of their Hungarian countrymen, who release one or two things and then vanish without a trace, Djabe seems to be on a consistent schedule of live and studio work, that has brought them no paltry bit of recognition in continental Europe. Update is their fourth studio recording, and displays their sound in its most professional package yet. We are dealing with a totally world-class fusion group who could easily take the stage with any of the biggest names one would care to mention. That’s not to say you might recognize them, in that they avoid nearly any reference to traditional Hungarian styles. There is an ethnic persona of sorts in many Djabe compositions, but it is more the result of African, Indonesian, and Arabic percussion instruments that undergird many of their tunes. (The band name means “freedom” in a certain African language called Ashanti.) A quick listen will reveal many of the typical elements in jazz fusion over the last twenty years: thick, bottom-heavy funky bass styling; the chromatic harmonies; and memorable melodies redolent of American jazz. The difference however is that Djabe are not dominated by a soloist / composer. They do however invite soloists and guests onto their projects. Update features saxophonist Ben Castle, who is associated with Steve Hackett — and in fact Gramy Records is the official representative of Hackett’s Camino Records in Hungary. Furthermore, every CD they do contains at least one head-to-head blowout between bass and hand drums. But nothing much in the Djabe picnic basket will fall foul on your taste buds, and they do not seem bent on challenging anyone’s preconceptions. I preferred their early recordings, before they settled into a more predictable format. But if sheer professionalism is in order then this new Djabe work cannot fail to please.

Filed under: Reissues, Issue 27, 2012 releases, 2001 recordings

Related artist(s): Djabe

 

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