Mirza Redžepagić – Cycles (Rekord, 2024)
Bosnian guitar virtuoso Mirza Redžepagić put together the album Cycles in collaboration with 16 musicians and 8 production team members from over 12 countries. Drawing from earlier unfinished compositions, the album presents a wide range of musical styles deeply grounded in various ethno traditions.
This conceptual work is divided into three main parts, incorporating influences from flamenco, Arabic maqam, and contemporary western music/jazz. A hidden fourth element, Balkan music, reflects the artist’s cultural roots. The album aims to transcend conventional labels, telling a unique story through its diverse musical styles.
Notable tracks from the album include “Windows,” which seamlessly mix Flamenco roots with a captivating electric guitar; the outstanding “Aman Aman Metheny,” where Middle Eastern influences meet Pat Metheny-style fusion; the ethno jazz brilliance of “Hicaz Saz Semai”; and the refined, chamber-like atmosphere of “Uspavanka (Lullaby for Sarajevo).” While the guitar work in the Flamenco-leaning pieces is commendable, it is the smooth jazz saxophone that dominates those tracks, albeit failing to fully capture my interest.
The album was recorded in Valencia, Spain, at the Berklee Valencia studios. The lineup includes Spanish musicians who contribute to the intense flamenco jazz Spanish flavor of the first tracks, as well as artists from various other nationalities.
Musicians: Mirza Redzepagic on flamenco guitar, fretless guitar, bass, frame drum, palmas, electric fretless guitar; Michael Ventura – alto saxophone; Santiago Bertel – piano; Miquel Alvarez – bass; Anthony Lafond – drums; Felipe Ribeiro – piano, keyboards, synth bass; Juan Pablo Arias – drums; Yousef Musharbash – piano; Imam Hamdani – electric guitar, classical guitar; Elana Sasson – vocal, saz; Manos Stratis – double bass; Shabnam J. Kermani – strings; Omran Adrah – qanun; Nathan Bieber – violin I; Angi Moya – violin II; Claudia Martos – viola; Joe Cornella – cello; Alfonsina Torrealba, conductor.
Buy Cycles.
Author: JGurski
