Release Type: PMGJazz

„Respected Macedonian bassist Ljubomir Stojsavljević makes his PMGJazz debut, with this wonderfully refreshing, funk-inspired record, by a group named simply SD4. Rounding up the cast are old favorites Bujukliev / Drobicki / Naumov – well known to us primarily through their association with SETHSTAT. Kind words about these three fine gentlemen have been said in the past on these pages, so let us not dwell on them once more.

Stojsavljević, on the other hand, is debuting here, so a few compliments are in order..well, maybe not. Being one of the more expressive instrumentalists this country has ever produced, words will never be quite enough. Having made his name as the founder and bassist of immensely popular newwave / synthpop group BASTION, he was particularly selective about his later musical projects – this is only his third full album in his 40+ year career – the others being BASTION’s only LP, the other a live album by Garabet Tavitjan’s PARAMECIUM (a well known jazz fusion band).

Speaking about BASTION – a cameo by bass clarinetist Gunter Kube on “Mr. Komplex” (a Bastion composition) is one of the highlights of this album. Also present are recognizable themes by artists as diverse as Duke Ellington and Soundgarden. Maybe. There’s only one way to find out.“

SD4 are:
Vladan Drobicki [trombone]
Panče Bujukliev [keys]
Ljubomir Stojsavljević [bass]
Goce Naumov [drums]

Gunter Kube [bass clarinet – guest on #5]

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Recorded at Kino Frosina-MKC & Caffe Magor (#5) by Alen Hadži-Stefanov
Produced by Vladan Drobicki
Cover photo Vladan Drobicki
Cover design Violeta Kačakova

„What to say about the second collaboration between Macedonian jazz juggernaut SETHSTAT and PMG (Collective / Recordings / Jazz)’s Mirko Popov? Well, seeing how this is a live album based on material from their first studio collaboration, I looked back at a review I wrote five years ago for that record, in which I said “Popov
s lyrics are the perfect platform for Sethstat’s music. Both iconoclastic in their own way – the first towards what’s called “contemporary jazz”, the other towards what’s called “contemporary Macedonia.”

Well, all I can say is, that this record, called “Docen čas” (roughly translated as “Late hour”), is not a moment too soon.“ – Deni Omeragić, PMG Jazz

Mirko Popov [vocal]
Vladan Drobicki [trombone]
Vasko Bojadžiski [tenor saxophone]
Panče Bujukliev [synthesizers]
Pavel Drobicki [bass guitar]
Dino Milosavljević [drums]

**
Composed by Sethstat and Mirko Popov
Cover photo by Violeta Kačakova
Design by Mirko Popov & Violeta Kačakova
Recorded live in concert @ Kino Frosina – MKC by Nenad Trifunovski
Mixed and produced by Vladan Drobicki

„PMGJazz’s flagship ensemble SVETLOST are back…though, probably, they were never really away. “Six Years” – their third album in just over 200 days, is a 54-minute ride through various moods and textures, presented through 6 compositions. Their trademark groove inspired rhythms and hypnotic repetitive bass-lines are still omnipresent, as is Ninoslav Spirovski’s unmistakable tenor saxophone wailing – but all presented in a slightly different way. In contrast to their previous two offerings – the orchestral megalith “Odron Ritual Orchestra” and the conceptual “Jazz (to the working class)”, this record is about shorter pieces, which comprise the bulk of the material that Svetlost usually plays live.

Recorded in a single session on 10 January 2019, in Skopje’s premier art-house cinema “Frosina”, mostly empty at the time, the acoustics of this recording are, to say the least – unique. The album was recorded by Alen Hadži-Stefanov, an experienced engineer, who regularly records the Macedonian Philharmonic, and has worked on albums of free jazz royalty – artists such as William Parker, Peter Brötzmann, Billy Bang, Andrew Cyrille, Jemeel Moondoc, Sunny Murray, Nels Cline, Die Like A Dog, Mark Dresser, Alan Silva etc. To preserve the integrity of the recorded sound the album is mixed without compression, except (for artistic reasons) the track “Together Alone”.

The digital booklet features an almost 1,500 words long essay, written by dr. Vangel Nonevski, reminiscent of the classic liner notes of ’60s jazz. Enjoy!“ 

All compositions by Novkovski / Omeragić / Spirovski

SVETLOST

Ninoslav Spirovski [tenor saxophone]
Kristijan Novkovski [percussion]
Deni Omeragić [bass guitar / electronics]

Produced by Novkovski / Omeragić / Spirovski
Recorded by Alen Hadži-Stefanov @ Kino Frosina – MKC, Skopje,10 January 2019
Production assistant – Erik Omeragić
Mixed by Deni Omeragić & Ninoslav Spirovski @ Blue Town Studio, 2 December 2019
Mixing engineer – Aleksandar Džo Gospodov
Mastered by Deni Omeragić

Design by Kristijan Novkovski
Cover photo: “Unfamiliar certainties” by Ana Ivanovska
Liner notes by Vangel Nonevski

Executive producers – Vladan Drobicki & Mirko Popov (for PMGJazz)

>> “Plush Pig” is the first released recording of the quintet led by Macedonia’s most idiosyncratic musician Yordan Kostov – a composer and accordionist of some renown – and featuring an all-star group, comprised of experienced percussionists Dragan Teodosiev (of Svetlost+Odron Ritual Orchestra, amongst others) and Damjan Grujo (in his PMGJazz debut), plus up-and-coming bassist Andrea Mirčeska (winner of Skopje Jazz Festivals’ Best Young Artist for 2019). But, arguably the records breakout character is Filip Bukršliev, Macedonia’s finest guitarist, jazz or otherwise, who sonically dominates the album, tying the whole ensemble in his trademark way, of course known to us from his two previous releases on this label, and his work with Fighting Windmills.

In his wast discography, this is is Yordan Kostov’s only second PMGJazz release, following his unaccompanied accordion album “Sanfona De Grapa” – one of our more interesting records. As long as you are here, you might want to check that one as well. <<

All compositions by Yordan Kostov, except #2 by Yordan Kostov & Filip Bukršliev

Yordan Kostov [accordion]
Filip Bukršliev [guitar]
Andrea Mirčeska [double bass]
Dragan Teodosiev [drums]
Damjan Grujo [percussion]

Cover: Filip Bukršliev
Recorded at Alshar Studio by Ivica Jankulovski
Produced: Vladan Drobicki for PMGJazz

„After their debut album “Odron Ritual Orchestra” (which was featured in Bandcamp’s selection for best jazz records of 2019) SVETLOST are back with a punch and a kick! Unlike the large ensemble performance of “Odron Ritual Orchestra”, this record has the group in its original incarnation – a trio – focused on ambient and electronic noise as much as on acoustic jazz.

This recording from the archives captures the group’s third concert, played in the studio of Skopje’s legendary radio Kanal 103. It was made through the radio’s vintage broadcast mixer Soundcraft SAC200 which contributes to the unique tone of the record, and also the odd crackle and pop heard throughout.

The music on “Jazz (to the working class)” was written specifically for this performance and is unique and unrepeatable – not that that’s a bad thing! The album is dedicated to the working class, to which SVETLOST proudly belong.“

SVETLOST
Ninoslav Spirovski [clarinet / soprano saxophone]
Kristijan Novkovski [percussion]
Deni Omeragić [bass guitar / synthesizer / electronics]

Composed by Novkovski / Omeragić / Spirovski
Produced by Novkovski / Omeragić / Spirovski
Recorded live on air at Kanal 103, January 1st 2018.
Broadcast produced by Ǵorǵi Janevski
Sound engineer – Mladen Pavleski
Recording assistant – Erik Omeragić
Design by Kristijan Novkovski
Executive producers – Vladan Drobicki & Mirko Popov [for PMG Jazz]

“Sanfona De Grapa” is an unaccompanied accordion album by Macedonia’s most idiosyncratic musician Yordan Kostov – a composer and accordionist of some renown.
In his wast discography, this is is Yordan Kostov first PMGJazz release – and to our our delight it has turned out as one of our more interesting records. Recorded in the vast emptiness of Skopje’s premier art-house cinema “Frosina”, by our very own Vladan Drobicki, it’s sound, plus Kostov’s unique musicianship contribute to a quite enjoyable experience. Truly, a record that bears multiple listenings.

UPDATE: Yordan Kostov now has a second PMGJazz release, a quintet recording named “Plush Pig”. As long as you are here, you might want to check that one as well.<<

Yordan Kostov, accordion
Music composed and arranged by Yordan Kostov
Recorded and mixed by Vladan Drobicki
Recorded at Youth Cultural Center, Skopje (MKC)
Produced by Vladan Drobicki & Mirko Popov for PMG Jazz
Cover photo by Vladan Drobicki
Cover design Violeta Kachakova

“This is an album that’ll get into your bloodstream. This 11-piece ensemble is a throwback to the avant-garde big bands of the ‘70s, where chaos and raging intensity amplified sweet melodicism and a thundering groove. The Skopje, Macedonia ensemble Светлост (or Svetlost) radiate an energy that is positively infectious, with a rhythmic approach that borders on foot-tapping catchiness, and harmonies as warm as a fireplace in an Alaskan winter. And for an album with such a massive presence, the ensemble weaves all kinds of lovely textures into the fabric of the music, with four saxophonists, two trombonists, a pianist, and a minibrute keyboardist—and plenty of percussion to boot. This is one of the best things I’ve heard all year.” – Dave Sumner, The Best Jazz on Bandcamp: September 2019″

“The 2019 release from the Skopje, Macedonia ensemble Светлост (or Svetlost) is a cathartic experience. The 11-piece ensemble modulates between a chaotic intensity and an uneasy serenity, skipping melodic fragments over a raging groove like stones across the waves. The connections between an individual and a work of art are as nuanced as the qualities that make us all individual people. It can be impossible to break it all down to cause-and-effect. Светлост cuts that Gordian knot right down the middle by letting everything out. Unguarded and sincere, the ensemble opens every possible avenue in order to connect with the listener. It’s a throwback to the avant-garde big bands of the ‘70s that feels immediate and relevant to us today.” – Dave Sumner, The Best Jazz Albums of 2019

All compositions by Kristijan Novkovski / Deni Omeragić / Ninoslav Spirovski

Recorded at “Alshar” by Ivica Jankulovski & Vladan Drobicki [Skopje, 23 May 2019]
Recording assistant Bisera Anastasova
Mixed by Vladan Drobicki
Artwork photos by Bisera Bazer
Band photo by Mirko Popov
Design by Kristijan Novkovski
Executive producers: Vladan Drobicki & Mirko Popov [for PMG Jazz]

SVETLOST + ODRON RITUAL ORCHESTRA

Ninoslav Spirovski [clarinet / soprano & tenor saxophone]
Petar Hristov [soprano saxophone / alto saxophone]
Ivan Trajanoski [alto saxophone / baritone saxophone]
Vasko Bojadžiski [tenor saxophone]
Bisera Bazer [trombone]
Vladan Drobicki [trombone]
Kristijan Novkovski [drums / percussion]
Dragan Teodosiev [drums / percussion]
Konstantin Hadži Кocev [piano]
Panče Bujukliev [minibrute]
Deni Omeragić [contrabass]