Considering the wonderful myriad of classic jazz influences and adventurous spirit of traveling inherent in the spirited, deliriously bluesy and hip swinging of their second, perfectly titled recording Upbeat Mood, Music Soup is the perfect moniker for the Greek trio co-founded by guitarist Nestor Diopoulous and organist Evgenia Karlafti in 2006 and began recording after adding drummer Vangelis Kotsabasis in 2014.
The root of their eclectic contemporary ensemble vibe can be traced back to Grant Green’s mid-60’s classic Solid, which featured Joe Henderson, McCoy Tyner and Elvin Jones – but the continuously inventive and engaging eight-song collection also has glorious sparks of Horace Silver and Pat Metheny (on the peppy, fast swirling title track that dynamically showcases Diopoulous’ and Karlafti’s improvisational mastery) and Oscar Peterson, who they pay homage to moody, soulful homage to via “Freeland (To O,P. With Love).”
Using these inspirations as springboard, Music Soup whips up a highly original journey that takes us, literally, “Around the World” (a fascinating fusion whirlwind artfully blending Karlafti’s organ with the wild soloing of Australian guest pianist Kym Purling), to exotic places like a “Korean Apartment, a feisty, hard grooving tune written during when the Diopolous and Karlafti were on an extended stay in South Korea;; a buoyant, highly danceable “Fun Island”; and, closer to home, a brisk stroll to an “Appointment in Athens,” which features a bright, snazzy trumpet solo by Henry Gergen.
Another gem is the lone non-original piece, the Burt Bacharach-penned “My Little Red Book,” originally recorded by Manfred Mann and which translates well into a romp that perfectly captures the sparkling energy of Music Soup.
Comments