Der Ohlsen
"Jü’s style on this record can be described as a proggy Jazz Rock power trio’s take on Indonesian traditionals with the additional integration of electronic Avantgarde as well as European and African instrumentation; which as a description almost sounds disgustingly academical and distracts from how damn awesome and fun this adventure actually is."
With each successive release, the world of the Budapest-based trio Jü seems to become exponentially larger and encompass an ever-expanding range of vibrant and startling influences. The straightforward title of their latest RareNoise Records release III reflects the basic fact that this is their third outing as a band and also the tripartite nature of the collective trio. But it also harkens to something mystical and elusive about the number three, a quality of arcane mystery reflected in the number’s vital importance in cultures across the globe.
That essential fact, rather than any specific meaning, may get at the heart of why the members of Jü – guitarist Ádám Mészáros, bassist Ernő Hock, and drummer András Halmos – opted for the title. More than anything, their music reflects a core drive to explore traditions and ideas from far-flung corners of the world, returning with a vital and pulse-quickening sound accented by countless disparate influences yet singularly possessing its own boldly uncategorizable voice.
On III that sound is marked by the now-familiar whirlwind of blistering rock, dizzying prog, ferocious free jazz, mesmerizing ambient textures and alluring Eastern European rhythms. This time out, a strong influence from Southeast Asia bleeds its own way into the mix, particularly the gamelan music of Indonesia and the ecstatic devotional songs of India. The mysticism and spiritual intensity of this music melds with the band’s immersive potency to conjure an overwhelming sound of compelling complexity and breathtaking vigor.
The hybrid sounds become all the richer throughout III with the addition of two special guests, both of whom join the trio on several tracks. Vocalist Dóra Győrfi is a Hungarian singer who works primarily in the context of gamelan and wayang groups in Java. Master electronic musician Bálint Bolcsó is a regular collaborator who also joined the band for its previous release, Summa, and adds a limitless array of possibilities to the band’s palette.
credits
released September 24, 2021
András Halmos – drums, vocals on 10
Ernő Hock – bass
Ádám Mészáros – guitar
Dóra Győrfi – vocals on 01, 06, 07, 08 and 09
Bálint Bolcsó – electronics on 02, 06, 07 and 09
01. Palaran
02. Cerberus
03. Oak
04. Ash
05. Thorn
06. Bebek
07. Cornucopia
08. Shashka
09. Minerva
10. Sumirana Karo Sada Dina Ratee
01 is based on the traditional song ‘Palaran Durma Laras Slendro Pathet Nem’.
03 is based on the traditional song ‘Bayati Shiraz’.
04 is based on the traditional song ‘Kedah Kasaha’.
09 is based on the traditional song ‘Barambun Malam’.
10 based on the song written by Baba Somanath Ji.
All compositions by Halmos, Hock, Mészáros
Published by RareNoisePublishing (PRS)
Recorded, mixed and mastered by Dexter at Supersize Recording Studio, Budapest, Hungary, February 2021.
Executive Producer for RareNoiseRecords : Giacomo Bruzzo
Cover art and design by Krisztián Kristóf
Jü is an experimental trio from Budapest.
The band, formed in Spring 2012 by now became one of the most exciting jazz acts
on the Hungarian music scene. The music act is a dynamic powerjazz full of psychedelic tunes and improvisation from Budapest's best underground musicians....more
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