1. Hungarian Sky
2. City Raga
3. Jaywalking
4. Spring Rain Before Blossom
5. Invention I
6. Romantic Rite
7. Monkey Monk
8. Wellington Harbour
9. No Tango Today
THREE IMPRESSIONS
10. The Sea Breathes
11. Nga Manu
12. Dark Wind
13. Blues for Dad
14. Noche Flamenco
15. Klezmorim
The pieces were performed in the studio as if in live performance and this brings out the spontaneous nature of the music. It also provides the setting and spark for improvisation. It is the spirit of improvisation which heightens the excitement, spontenaity and fun in, for example, the tightly structured and jazz inspired "Monkey Monk" and it is improvised solos that enhance the mood in the evocative "Wellington Harbour". Improvisation is also an integral part of the more 'experimental' pieces. Some pieces were written for cafe performance, others for more serious concert repertoire.
This is an album by musicians who conform to no school but rather are making personal, individualistic statements. It is encouraging to know that New Zealand has artists who are not only continuing to make their music, but are also finding a supportive community, enough interchange of ideas, and a sympathetic record company to keep it coming.
Jonathan Besser (piano), Christopher Prosser (violin)
CD SLD-114
Instrumental / New Zealand
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