MP3 Dreamhunter - Pleasures
World music jazz
9 MP3 Songs in this album (67:03) !
Related styles: JAZZ: World Fusion, WORLD: Balkan
Details:
In the last few decades of the twentieth century, the world has gotten smaller and smaller. Speedy means of travel and communication along with desire to explore foreign cultures, have been the main contributors.
The ensemble Dream Hunter has taken this world view as a challenge to produce a new world music. Dream Hunter’s diverse music is a direct result of the conglomeration of composers Gottfried Stöger and Errol Rackipov.
Gottfried Stöger began his musical training in Salzburg/Austria. He studied the violin as a teenager, following traditionalmusical training. As an adolescent, he was inspired by improvisation and later made his way to New York City to explore the world of Jazz. He completed his studies in jazz programs at the Manhattan School of Music in New York and the University of Miami. While attending school, he continued performing and touring. His world travels as a musician lead to creative collaborations with major folk artists from India, Brazil, Indonesia and Eastern Europe, such as Pawan Kumar, Toninho Horta, Jalu Pratitina and Theodosii Spasov.
Gottfried Stöger’s artistry is shaped by the melding of these experiences with his traditional Austrian upbringing: European classical music, American Jazz and Austrian folk music. These various styles come together to create Stöger’s unique flavor of world music.
Errol Rackipov grew up in Bulgaria engulfed by the extraordinarily rich folk music of his country. He, too, received classical musical training, majoring in percussion at the Music Academy in Sofia.
In 1991 he accepted a scholarship to study with vibraphonist Gary Burton at the Berkeley college of music in Boston, where he learned the language of jazz. Rackipov’s compositions marry the elements of American jazz, Bulgarian folk, and classical music, bringing a new sound to life. Rackipov is on the faculties at the Florida International University and at the University of Miami music departments.
The music:
The first impression one receives upon listening to "Folk Dance" is the contrast in overall character within the other pieces. It´s brisk and lively mood is strongly influenced by Bulgarien folk music.
"He is the Man" directly resulted from Gottfried Stöger’s research of Japanese music. Parts of the melody are taken from a Japanese traditional song, which originated at about 2000 BC. The intro, performed by solo marimba, suggests timbres similar to that ancient music.
"Odd Times" is based on a single rhythmic figure in a 7/4 meter, which is introduced in the intro by a solo marimba.
"The other wrong way" initially resembles a swing waltz. By means of an extensive groove section, the composition evolves into a melody strongly influenced by elements of Bulgarian folk music.
"Far Away From Here, Lomg Time Ago" is written in a style reminicent of the romantic periode, jet expertly crafted within a contemporary arrangement.
The composition "Meeting of the Minds" features a minimalistic motif which is developed throughout the tune to a maximalistic inferno.
Parts of the melody of "Aeolean Tyrolian" are borrowed from al "Landler", an Austrian folk song from the rural areas of Upper Austria. Most significant is the use of modal harmonic colors and rhythmic changes, to create a mood that shifts between "dark-tense" and "bright-loose".
"Dill Man" is a playful interpretation of the popular Bulgarian folk tune "Dilmano Dilbero". It includes a freely accompanied vibraphone solo, in which the soloist explores the meaning and mood of the original song.
The melody of "Pleasures" is constructed with compositional aspects of the classical romantic era. The harmony, constructed for the most part in a modal setting also suggests the idea of tension and release by the use of basic cadences-dominant to tonic.
Gottfried Stöger-soprano saxophone
Errol Rackipov-Vibraphone/marimba
Ratzo B. Harris-bass
Robert Kainar-percussion
Matthew Hankle-drums
Recorded (4/5 May 1998) and mastered at SONIC FLOW STUDIO in Salzburg/Austria
Engineer: Wolfgang Schramml
Mixed by Wolfgang Spannberger
Produced by Robert Kainar
Design and Cover Illustration by Daniela Huber
Booklet Drawings by Waldemar Kufner