Artist: Zmajev rep
Label: Radio Študent
Release: 2010
Duration: 41:10
Rating: 3.7/5
Zmajev rep have come a long way since their hard rock beginnings, with a whole bunch of changes in how they put their music out there. That’s all the more surprising given that the lineup hasn’t seen a single change since day one. In a relatively short time they went from a very solid hard rock band to an instrumental jazz-rock collective that shows a much greater sense of musical finesse. They announced their rebirth on the previous record Sanje podob, which caught plenty of listeners off guard, especially anyone who knew the band from their hard rock days.
This time they didn’t catch us quite so unprepared. It’s clear from the very start that the album Sestop (or Descent in English) is going to serve up huge amounts of standard jazzy noodling, the search for that right red thread that would bring the album to life and finally kick off the battle between jazz and rock. The guys seem to fall back way too often on easy-going jazz improvisations where things feel pretty static. But when the music catches fire, they prove you don’t want to mess with them and that they’ve still got the fire from their hard rock beginnings in them. Once the dust settles, everything has to be put back on its feet again, and sometimes it feels like a small eternity before they find that elusive “G-spot” once more, their ecstatic awakening. When they finally pull it off, you’ve got to give them credit for some seriously tickling of the sonic receptors. In these more orderly parts you can also feel the influence of progressive rock, led by Ambrož Božiček and his fine selection of keyboard sounds.
The album rests on very traditional jazz-rock foundations, with classic keyboard sounds (electric piano, vintage synths) and an almost overly jazz-minded guitar (often without distortion) that only occasionally drifts into the choppier waters of the jazz-rock storm we used to get from the likes of John McLaughlin (Mahavishnu Orchestra). The rhythm section is also extremely jazzy and sophisticated, and it’s very hard to believe this is the same band that first introduced itself to the world with the album Ogenj. They’ve all drastically changed their playing style, and no listener could be blamed for thinking a completely different band is playing.
This is definitely not a jazz-rock album that will go down in music history in golden letters, but for Slovenian standards it’s a very important and mature record, one that at times lacks a bit more edge and punch, or immaturity, if you will. They approached the album so professionally that it feels like they’ve somewhat forgotten their youthful enthusiasm and fervor. Still, they keep refining their sound, and over the years they’ll surely find the right balance between technical polish and bursts of musical joy. With Sestop, Zmajev rep have once again taken a step forward (much like Moonlight Sky did with I Am), and as the band keeps maturing, we can probably look forward to even better goodies from them down the road.
Lineup
Andrej Boštjančič-Ruda – guitar
Ambrož Božiček – keyboards
Jošt Drašler – bass guitar
Vid Drašler – drums
Production
Zmajev rep
Tracklist
1. Okrogla kocka
2. Omrežja nesmislov
3. Selitev
4. Na koncu sam
5. Decembrski odmev
6. Širjava
7. Balada modrine
