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Skopje Jazz Inc.: Incorporated
ByThere is a sneaky power to this band's music. The compositions seem to bloom and the ensemble rarely opens a track with a loud announcement. A prime example is the opening track, "The Professional," where Skopje Jazz Inc. builds its musical story layer by layer. Everything seems to flow and everyone seems to act like a painter. Playing at the center is trumpeter Velkov, who ranges wide melodically. The rhythm section expertly signposts each twist and change of mood while maintaining a dialogue of cymbal pings, bass counterpoints and press rolls. The quartet is joined by Kiril Kuzmanov on flute who paints a beautiful picture with his colorful bravuras.
The quartet keeps the lively energy well in hand on "Unclo Zo, Run," a bop cut. Velkov plays and leads with fearless gusto and kinetic bursts here with his

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Apart from the opening firecrackers, the album is full of lyrical, impressionistic music. On "Leena's Song," Velkov plays with a soft sound. Filipovski's touch is light but authoritative, and he maintains an engagingly conversational approach as he acts as a percussive colorist. This composition also features pianist Gordan Spasovski, whose melodic adventures capture a taste of

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The tempo slows on "Repentance," where Velkov uses a

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"You and I" shows uncommon sensitivity and unity of purpose. The leisurely pace makes it seem as if Skopje Jazz Inc. has all the time in the world to linger in musical dialogue and explorations. Velkov finds new ways to surprise with his melodic and tonal inventiveness, while this reflective track highlights some fluid improvising by Kostadinovski. The musicians pass ideas with great ease and they anticipate and respond engagingly.
There is much to admire about both Velkov and Kostadinovski's writing which makes these four (and sometimes six) voices sound like a larger group. There is a large degree of collective endeavour, melodic inventiveness, and risk-taking riding alongside this audacious jazz group. ">
Track Listing
The Professional; Uncle Zo; Run; Leena's Song; To Repentance; The Miller Man; RH CH; You and I.
Personnel
Additional Instrumentation
Guests: Kiril Kuzmanov: flute; Gordan Spasovski: piano.
Album information
Title: Incorporated | Year Released: 2022 | Record Label: Zjm
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