Release Type: LP

The train has left the station! The Skopje-Budapest trans-Balkan free-jazz railroad is in operation. First stop – ‘URGENT’.

Budapest based-American trombonist Christopher Cox, fronts this outstanding trio, featuring two of the mainstays of Hungarian creative jazz – Péter Ajtai and
Attila Gyárfás – both accomplished “first call” improvisers. Meeting for an inaugural session on a dreadfully
hot day in July 2023, at the popular venue Lumen Kávéző (where they could jam relatively undisturbed in the small theatre)
the result was stunning! It sounded like they had played together for years. It felt that way too.
Recorded with nothing but a Zoom H5 handheld recorder, Cox independently released this spontaneous session, calling it Black Box.

This exiting trio’s first PMGJazz release (and established label debut) is different. Whereas the first recording of this trio was a kind of happy accident, this one is not. They consciously decided to make another DIY recording. Approaching the session without much deliberation, they pierce the wall of silence
with spontaneous angular attacks, filling the room with a natural sonic picture beautifully captured with just a pair of stereo microphones.

“The Cox / Ajtai / Gyárfás trio creates an authentic nexus of presence, true hand-wrought sound impression, during an era when many forms of attention are outsourced and cobbled from stray traces of the ether- in a way that might anticipate our field of diminished expectations. The truth is here; we move in concert together, and there’s no mistaking it with this kind of evidence- that it’s possible, even necessary and a reality that three musical forces can join in constructing something so elemental from the ground up- or that they can echolocate and find a map together that makes that kind of construction seem completely inevitable. I feel convinced that if you hear Péter’s timely, speaking resonance on bass, Attila’s completely dynamic and essential drum composition and Cox’ ability to both accompany beautifully and to speak the necessary truth on trombone- and hear them all in concert, as part of an integrated complete group statement, you’ll be brought into an Urgent truth about collective action and possibility. It’s a profound message at the core of much of this kind of expansive, brave and committed music, and to hear it delivered here with such fluidity, conviction and grace, as a deconstructed incantation to the moment / invoking the moment- is more than a pleasure; it’s a set of solutions, offered one after the other after the next. Cox has a rare, targeted way of hearing the presence of the instrument within an ensemble, one would have to witness this recording from multiple audible vantage points, over and over to fully appreciate this. And Ajtai is seemingly able to devise abstract anthems at will- tones that seem as if they’re more discovered than generated. And Gyárfás’ sensibility is similarly timeless, seems to have been pre-ordained and simultaneously completely of the moment. Together, they have created something- a shockingly beautiful, affirmative and lasting statement when we need it. ” – Josh Roseman 

Christopher Robin Cox (trombone and prepared trombone)
Péter Ajtai (contrabass)
Attila Gyárfás (drums and percussion)

Recorded on 25 June, 2024 at Lumen Kávéző in Budapest, Hungary
Recorded and Mastered by Attila Gyárfás
Liner notes by Josh Roseman, January 2025
Cover photo by Christopher Robin Cox
Executive producers – Deni Omeragić for PMGJazz

It is a tremendous privilege to present something truly audacious and unconventional: a trilogy. This is a feast for the discerning listener, for those with a keen ear for the avant-garde and the unexplored—those who 𝘩𝘢𝘵𝘩 𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘴 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘶𝘯𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴, as Zaratustra might have put it. But do not expect lofty or pretentious treatises on the Überjazzer—this is not about that. The concept is, in its essence, remarkably simple: three familiar figures (Blagojche, Dragan, and Filip) unite with a “newcomer”—the legendary Dorian Jovanovikj, a titan of the Macedonian world music and experimental scene. This marks his debut on the PMG Jazz label. For this special occasion, Dorian indulges his passion for unconventional instruments, bringing the Chapman Stick—a remarkable and unconventional member of the guitar family—into the fold. However, he does not stop there. This instrument is pushed beyond its traditional boundaries, transformed through an array of effects and electronic devices, steering it into uncharted sonic territories. The recording took place at the Krste Misirkov Cultural Center in Sveti Nikole, a space that not only serves as the physical backdrop but also lends its name to this trilogy, connecting the very heart of the music to the soul of the surrounding villages. In each volume, the compositions are named after these neighboring villages, creating an intimate connection between the music and the local geography. The musicians crafted three distinct formations and composed three unique pieces, each serving as an exploration of group dynamics within the specific context of that space. Sonically, the trilogy drifts between the haunting, ethereal qualities of Scandinavian minimalism and the jagged, raw energy of Miles Davis’ late-70s electric period, where the lines between genius, heroin abuse, and chaos blur. The result is a listening experience that is both challenging and profoundly rewarding. 

Blagojche Tomevski – bass clarinet, Bb clarinet, flutes, voice

Filip Bukrshliev – guitar 

Dragan Teodosiev – drums 


Recorded by Dorian Jovanovikj, at Dom na kultura ‘Krste Misirkov’ Sveti Nikole, on 06.10.2024

Mixed and mastered by Dorian Jovanovikj

Cover by Filip Bukrshliev

It is a tremendous privilege to present something truly audacious and unconventional: a trilogy. This is a feast for the discerning listener, for those with a keen ear for the avant-garde and the unexplored—those who 𝘩𝘢𝘵𝘩 𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘴 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘶𝘯𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴, as Zaratustra might have put it. But do not expect lofty or pretentious treatises on the Überjazzer—this is not about that. The concept is, in its essence, remarkably simple: three familiar figures (Blagojche, Dragan, and Filip) unite with a “newcomer”—the legendary Dorian Jovanovikj, a titan of the Macedonian world music and experimental scene. This marks his debut on the PMG Jazz label. For this special occasion, Dorian indulges his passion for unconventional instruments, bringing the Chapman Stick—a remarkable and unconventional member of the guitar family—into the fold. However, he does not stop there. This instrument is pushed beyond its traditional boundaries, transformed through an array of effects and electronic devices, steering it into uncharted sonic territories. The recording took place at the Krste Misirkov Cultural Center in Sveti Nikole, a space that not only serves as the physical backdrop but also lends its name to this trilogy, connecting the very heart of the music to the soul of the surrounding villages. In each volume, the compositions are named after these neighboring villages, creating an intimate connection between the music and the local geography. The musicians crafted three distinct formations and composed three unique pieces, each serving as an exploration of group dynamics within the specific context of that space. Sonically, the trilogy drifts between the haunting, ethereal qualities of Scandinavian minimalism and the jagged, raw energy of Miles Davis’ late-70s electric period, where the lines between genius, heroin abuse, and chaos blur. The result is a listening experience that is both challenging and profoundly rewarding. 

Blagojche Tomevski – bass clarinet, Bb clarinet, flutes, voice

Dorian Jovanovikj – Chapman Stick, electronics 

Filip Bukrshliev – guitar 

Dragan Teodosiev – drums 


Recorded by Dorian Jovanovikj, at Dom na kultura ‘Krste Misirkov’ Sveti Nikole, on 06.10.2024

Mixed and mastered by Dorian Jovanovikj

Cover by Filip Bukrshliev

It is a tremendous privilege to present something truly audacious and unconventional: a trilogy. This is a feast for the discerning listener, for those with a keen ear for the avant-garde and the unexplored—those who 𝘩𝘢𝘵𝘩 𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘴 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘶𝘯𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴, as Zaratustra might have put it. But do not expect lofty or pretentious treatises on the Überjazzer—this is not about that. The concept is, in its essence, remarkably simple: three familiar figures (Blagojche, Dragan, and Filip) unite with a “newcomer”—the legendary Dorian Jovanovikj, a titan of the Macedonian world music and experimental scene. This marks his debut on the PMG Jazz label. For this special occasion, Dorian indulges his passion for unconventional instruments, bringing the Chapman Stick—a remarkable and unconventional member of the guitar family—into the fold. However, he does not stop there. This instrument is pushed beyond its traditional boundaries, transformed through an array of effects and electronic devices, steering it into uncharted sonic territories. The recording took place at the Krste Misirkov Cultural Center in Sveti Nikole, a space that not only serves as the physical backdrop but also lends its name to this trilogy, connecting the very heart of the music to the soul of the surrounding villages. In each volume, the compositions are named after these neighboring villages, creating an intimate connection between the music and the local geography. The musicians crafted three distinct formations and composed three unique pieces, each serving as an exploration of group dynamics within the specific context of that space. Sonically, the trilogy drifts between the haunting, ethereal qualities of Scandinavian minimalism and the jagged, raw energy of Miles Davis’ late-70s electric period, where the lines between genius, heroin abuse, and chaos blur. The result is a listening experience that is both challenging and profoundly rewarding. 

Blagojche Tomevski – bass clarinet, Bb clarinet, flutes, voice

Dorian Jovanovikj – Chapman Stick, electronics 

Filip Bukrshliev – guitar 



Recorded by Dorian Jovanovikj, at Dom na kultura ‘Krste Misirkov’ Sveti Nikole, on 06.10.2024

Mixed and mastered by Dorian Jovanovikj

Cover by Filip Bukrshliev

Take a deep breath. As you exhale, vocalize the sound ‘A.’ Slowly begin to close your mouth—the sound will shift from ‘A’ to ‘U,’ and finally to ‘M’ as your lips meet. AUM.

AUM’s debut album unites Tomevski, Hadji Kocev, and Teodosiev in a live recording made in Skopje at KIC, Salon 19:19. They are frequent collaborators across many formations, bringing their shared perspectives and vocabularies into this project that challenges listeners to immerse themselves in its depth.

Grey Heron is an exploration of the sacred and the primal, inspired by AUM—the primordial sound, a symbol of creation and destruction. Through their interplay, the trio channels this duality, shaping a sound where strict forms serve as the foundation providing structure and focus, freely expanding into uncharted territory. This music resonates with the weight of existence, evoking the echo of the sacred syllable AUM.

Blagojche Tomevski – bass clarinet
Konstantin Hadji Kocev – piano
Dragan Teodosiev – drums

Composed by Konstantin Hadji Kocev

Recorded by Vladan Drobicki on 01.11.2024 at Salon 19:19
Mixed and mastered by Vladan Drobicki, November 2024
Cover art by Ilija Madjarov
Produced by Vladan Drobicki

Tomevski and Bukrshliev, trough the many formations they take part, are the definition of what you would call: frequent collaborators. But this is just the second outing as this particularly strange duo combination. Like the previous one, the material was also recorded in the small Macedonian town of Sveti Nikole, on a cold Sunday afternoon, in one take. Only the location changed: the first one was recorded in the studio of the local TV station [ТВ Свет], and this one is at the main concert hall of the town’s cultural centre. The change of venue dramatically influenced the end result, simply because there was a very different space to fill with sound: the TV studio was a relatively small insulated space, and the concert hall is big, empty and generous with reverberations. Instead of nine shorter pieces, now we have two half-hour long uninterrupted pieces of music where Tomevski and Bukrshliev make an inventory of the vocabulary for the continuously evolving improvisational language they share.

Blagojche Tomevski – bass clarinet
Filip Bukrshliev – guitar

Recorded by Vladan Drobicki on 20.10.2024.
Mixed and mastered by Vladan Drobicki, at Dom na Kultura ‘Krste MIsirkov’, October 2024
Cover by Filip Bukrshliev
Produced by Vladan Drobicki
Special thanks to Viktor Tanaskovski for the special VLAD amp

Five and a half years on from their last original trio recording, SVETLOST are back. Were they even away? Somewhat. Taking the long route around to end up in the same place – though, one could argue they are now on a different plane than they were at that moment. But, we suppose most of the world feels the same. The date of that last recording, January of 2019, and the one that saw the production of this album, May of 2024, bookend a period of a global pandemic, perpetual economic crisis, new wars, personal losses, and friends gone (but never forgotten).

Regrouping in 2024 with a renewed artistic focus, SVETLOST quickly found the groove that helped them create their first three (critically acclaimed) albums in the space of a few months. The assembled material features their trademark non-idiomatic improvisation framed in compositions rooted in noise-punk and doom-jazz. The LP was recorded in their underground basement studio and masterfully engineered by Vladan Drobicki, to give it a raw live sound that best showcases the feel of their performances.

The program of the album was partly inspired by Austrian/ Israeli artist duo Muntean and Rosenblum’s 1990s piece portraying three disengaged melancholic figures, nominally untitled, but inscribed in large block letters: EVERYTHING WAS AS IT HAD BEEN A MINUTE AGO, EXCEPT FOR A SENSE OF GENERAL SUSPENSION, AS OF THINGS HOLDING THEMSELVES IN STILLNESS, NOT DARING TO BREATHE.

This record marks Svetlost and PMGJazz’s first collaboration with Inverted Spectrum Records, a boutique label and concert organization initiative based in Budapest and Ankara. 

Ninoslav Spirovski [clarinet / tenor saxophone]
Deni Omeragić [baritone guitar / bass guitar / electronics]
Kristijan Novkovski [drums]

#1, #2, #4 – Composed by Novkovski / Omeragić / Spirovski.
#3 – Composed by Spirovski, arranged by Novkovski /
Omeragić / Spirovski.

Recorded by Vladan Drobicki @ Svetlost HQ, Skopje, 4 may
2024.
Edited, mixed and mastered by Vladan Drobicki, for PMGJazz.
Artwork by Kristijan Novkovski

Produced for and published by:
PMGJazz (Skopje, Macedonia),
a division of PMG Recordings.

Published by:
Inverted Spectrum Records (Budapest, Hungary / Ankara,
Turkey)

For inquires related to SVETLOST contact Deni Omeragić (omeragic.deni@gmail.com)

This is the second release, the culmination of the Skordas-Teodosiev-Tomevski collaboration early this year (the first album, Re-Absorption of Light, also on PMGJazz), only this time the trio is augmented to a sextet. The unusual instruments in the line-up provide the musicians with all the spectral tools needed to capture the full scope of the comical dichotomy inherent to the Balkan experience: where the sound of various traditional small flutes pierces the bulky, pseudo-sophisticatedly voiced guitar chords like a wraith from the past, while the bagpipes beckon the double-bass to join them in an all-gas-no-brakes fire music extravaganza. This music is pure Balkan free-jazz pandemonium, but in the best kind of way. Like a tour guide that is well informed in the free-jazz practices of the revered 60’s, it grabs you by the hand and takes you to a godforsaken part of the Osogovo mountains. You find yourself in some unearthly dark forest, where wild boars roam free and the huge beech trees provide you with cover while you dodge the bullets from the poachers. At night you witness some secret pagan ritual, encounter some odd looking mushrooms and quench your thirst by drinking cold-cold water directly from the spring. Maybe later, you try some of the wild berries…

Composed, arranged and performed by:

Nikolas Skordas – tenor sax, soprano sax, bag pipe (gajda and tsampuna), bells, shells, tarogato
Blagojche Tomevski – bass clarinet, clarinet
Vladan Drobicki – trombone
Filip Bukrshliev – el.guitar
Deni Omeragic – double bass
Dragan Teodosiev – drums

Recorded and produced by Vladan Drobicki
Cover art by Dimitar Apostolov Zewlean

A fantastic free jazz impro quartet bringing the east and the west part of the world in central Skopje (N. Macedonia) to perform a live concert. On a quiet Sunday night, their music lit the vibrant sound of contemporary tuba, es horn creating a journey similar to an Eel travelling more than 3,500 miles in music rivers worldwide. Tuba was closely followed by freestyle piano, traditional but open accordion and drums sensual but strong enough always to fill the middle. Yordan Kostov is to blame for this musical meeting. Like the eel, he travels the world to meet and collaborate with different musicians, who in a magical way, just like the path of the eel, gathered in Skopje one Sunday evening to share with us this great music.

Composed and performed by:
Roman Stolyar – piano
Yordan Кostov – accordion
Nick DeCarlo – tuba, alto horn
Dragan Teodosiev – drums

Recorded live by Vladan Drobicki on 03.03.2024 at PMGJazz Club Night in Laboratorium
Produced by Vladan Drobicki
Sleeve design by Violeta Kachakova

Can light be absorbed by sound? The physics postulates that light doesn’t affect sound, as light is an electromagnetic wave that travels in space, while sound vibrates in air and requires a material medium to travel. Still, sound waves can modulate light frequency while light can render acoustic images visible. This fantastic Greek-Macedonian collaboration of jazz virtuosos on sax, bagpipes, bells, shells, clarinet and drums creates an aura of light-sound connection. Pure sound energy is absorbed as music to our ears and transmitted as vibration and light to our bodies. You only need to close your eyes and surrender to this energy.

Composed and performed by:
Nikolas Skordas – tenor sax, soprano sax, bagpipes (gajda & tsampuna), bells, shells, tarogato
Blagojche Tomevski – bass clarinet, clarinet
Dragan Teodosiev – drums

Recorded and produced by Vladan Drobicki
Cover art by Dimitar Apostolov Zewlean