Label: Anelia Records
Source: Cdbaby
‘In
the North’ is the third album by guitarist Tassos Spiliotopoulos and his
first since his relocation from London to Stockholm. Originally from
Athens, Greece, Tassos Spiliotopoulos spent the better part of twelve
years living in London and establishing a solid reputation as one of the
most exciting, up and coming guitarists in the UK Jazz scene. He worked
with some of the country’s most celebrated jazz musicians including
Kenny Wheeler, Gary Husband, Asaf Sirkis, John Parricelli, John
Etheridge and appeared in several critically acclaimed albums while at
the same time maintaining a busy international touring schedule both as
sideman and as bandleader.
In 2013 after a period of introspection Tassos felt it was time to move on. Having family ties to Sweden he decided to settle in Stockholm where, in his own words, ‘..the environment seemed right for reflection and exploration’. But between the challenges of settling in a new country, world tours with the Asaf Sirkis Trio and producing for up and coming singer/songwriter Jenny Holmgren it would take Tassos another couple of years to return to recording as a bandleader. It was while taking part in a project called ‘Tune-up Järva’ and meeting saxophonist Örjan Hultén and his trio that Tassos came up with the idea to record ‘In the North’. ‘.. I was looking for a band to play with in Stockholm and when I run into Örjan, Fredrik and the other guys we clicked instantly… I thought, here is a band I can really play with..’
A few local gigs later the new quartet of Tassos Spiliotopoulos, Örjan Hultén, Palle Sollinger, Fredrik Rundqvist headed to ‘Small House’ studios in Tyresö to record ‘In the North’. An album that Tassos considers his best recorded work yet and one that confirms his reputation as one of the most accomplished guitarists of his generation and a musician that brings something truly new to the Jazz table. As with previous Tassos Spiliotopoulos albums, the music builds on to the modern Jazz idiom, but this time new influences from greek folk music, film music, flamenco, blues and fusion are incorporated. ‘.. I never wanted to be a specialist in any one style of music.. rather to let all the different influences blend into my own style..’ For all his technical prowess Tassos never loses sight of what is important and allows the melodic and intimate elements of his music to bring the album together. The quartet interprets Tassos’ compositions with grace and confidence while interplay and high energy improvisation is central to their performance.
In 2013 after a period of introspection Tassos felt it was time to move on. Having family ties to Sweden he decided to settle in Stockholm where, in his own words, ‘..the environment seemed right for reflection and exploration’. But between the challenges of settling in a new country, world tours with the Asaf Sirkis Trio and producing for up and coming singer/songwriter Jenny Holmgren it would take Tassos another couple of years to return to recording as a bandleader. It was while taking part in a project called ‘Tune-up Järva’ and meeting saxophonist Örjan Hultén and his trio that Tassos came up with the idea to record ‘In the North’. ‘.. I was looking for a band to play with in Stockholm and when I run into Örjan, Fredrik and the other guys we clicked instantly… I thought, here is a band I can really play with..’
A few local gigs later the new quartet of Tassos Spiliotopoulos, Örjan Hultén, Palle Sollinger, Fredrik Rundqvist headed to ‘Small House’ studios in Tyresö to record ‘In the North’. An album that Tassos considers his best recorded work yet and one that confirms his reputation as one of the most accomplished guitarists of his generation and a musician that brings something truly new to the Jazz table. As with previous Tassos Spiliotopoulos albums, the music builds on to the modern Jazz idiom, but this time new influences from greek folk music, film music, flamenco, blues and fusion are incorporated. ‘.. I never wanted to be a specialist in any one style of music.. rather to let all the different influences blend into my own style..’ For all his technical prowess Tassos never loses sight of what is important and allows the melodic and intimate elements of his music to bring the album together. The quartet interprets Tassos’ compositions with grace and confidence while interplay and high energy improvisation is central to their performance.
1. Waterfall
2. Emerald Blues
3. By Way of Fire
4. Poimenikon (Shepherd's Minor)
5. Friday Frolics
6. Downfall Monologue
7. Underground
8. Old Demons
2. Emerald Blues
3. By Way of Fire
4. Poimenikon (Shepherd's Minor)
5. Friday Frolics
6. Downfall Monologue
7. Underground
8. Old Demons
Tassos Spiliotopoulos
Örjan Hultén
Palle Sollinger
Fredrik Rundqvist
Örjan Hultén
Palle Sollinger
Fredrik Rundqvist
