CD Review: Zoran Madzirov - Roots on a Roof, Balkano Nuevo

CD Review: Zoran Madzirov - Roots on a Roof, Balkano Nuevo

On Roots on a Roof the unique and creative compositions of vibraphonist Zoran Madzirov echo the rich tradition of Macedonian music, fused with jazz and other music forms. Zoran also plays his own invention, the bottlephone.

Madzirov great technique and glimmering melodies shines all through the album especially on "Balkan Vulkan", "Butchers Changes", "Cheese under lid" and in the balkan sounds of "The Long Longing" with clarinetist Zoran Kraguevski adding some good improvisations.

The interesting tempo and thematic variations on "Monday's Savory" also has a distinctive balkan sound, but the addition of the violin gives the music a classical feel. That classical sound of the violins may also be heard on "Butchers Changes" and "Flower Meanings".

The melody and latin jazz feel of "Balkan Vulkan" are reminiscent of the Juan Tizol jazz classic "Caravan". But "Verve to Serve" and "Seven Running Perhapses" are the jazziest tracks on the release. The use of time signatures variations on both of them are similar to that of Dave Brubeck's Take Five album.

Roots on a Roof ends with the mystic feel of the track "Pleasure of Source".

Musicians: Zoran Madzirov (vibes, bottlephone, tapan), Marina Cado (violin), Vladimir Krstev (violin), Zoran Kraguevski (tenor sax, clarinet), Toni Pecanov (accordion), Oliver Josifovski (bass), Goce Stevkovski (drums, percussion), Zdravko Angelov (bass clarinet), Bojan Petkov (guitar)

Tracks: The Long Longing, Monday's Savory, Balkan Vulkan, Butchers Changes, Flower Meanings, Verve to Serve, Seven Running Perhapses, Cheese Under Lid, Pleasure of Source