Dusan Jevtovic - No Answer Project LIVE in Barcelona (only digital release) January 26, 2022

It is apt that the cover art of Dusan Jevtovic’s latest release portrays the members of the No Answer Project sitting near to a roadside. Dusan Jevtovic, Vasil Hadžimanov and Asaf Sirkis face the same direction, but the road they explore reveals many interesting deviations as they travel towards their collective destination. The subtlety, skill, and searing musicianship in evidence in this release, enables the listener to accompany the trio of musicians on an exciting journey of discovery.

The album captures the performance of a Barcelona concert during May 2019. The seven compositions bear all the trademarks that has made Jevtovic’s work so distinctive over the years. Four of the compositions originally appeared on Jevtovic’s No Answer release. The live renditions of these tunes are equally compelling and are arguably even more rewarding for they capture the excitement, invention and improvisation that goes hand in hand when this type of progressive fusion is created in a live setting. The beautiful rendition of Yo Sin Mi is one of the albums standout tracks.

The three other pieces; Blues For A, Op-Sa and Nine have not been released before. Their inclusion in the set will ensure that many aficionados of Jevtovic’s work will be excited to hear this release. All three pieces are excellent and are worthy additions to Jevtovic’s catalogue of work.

Blues for A is particularly evocative, it seamlessly moves between cleanly struck guitar sections, yowling solos and disconcerting heavy sections where the extraordinary percussive drumming of Sirkis glues everything together. As might be expected when players of the calibre of the trio are involved, it moves outside parameters normally connected with the Blues. Consequently, it has several inventive passages. These reveal an adventurous air and an innovative capacity, whilst still maintaining a peripheral yet identifiable association with the Blues.

Throughout the concert, distorted guitar chords full of malevolence and power are juxtaposed with delicate sections that have an ethereal air. Sirkis skillful use of his kit is at the heart of everything and his ability to play with delicacy and with dynamic power, when necessary, propels the music with great dramatic effect. This enticing mix is superbly embellished by Hadžimanov’s sensitive use of piano, electric piano, and synth when the need arises.

Hadžimanov’s fine keyboard patterns offer a different set of colours and creates a noticeable contrast. This ensures that the music has an unpredictable and exciting edge. His flowing solo in Blues for A is simply magnificent. However, his wonderfully crafted piano interlude in the beautifully melodic Yo Sin MI is equally impressive and provides another standout piano moment during the album.

The quality of the recording is excellent and the work of Acklam studios in Barcelona should be commended for ensuring that the skillful performance of each instrument can be easily discerned.

The No Answer Project’s selection from the No Answer album and their presentation of three previously unheard compositions is a thoroughly rewarding experience.

The trio’s unique blend of progressive jazz treads a road that is seldom travelled and I for one, cannot wait to experience their journey again.

1. Al Aire/ Soko Bira 05:14

2. Blues For A 07:09

3. No Answer 07:19

4. Yo Sin Mi 06:20

5. Op-Sa 07:30

6. El Oro 09:39

7. Nine 05:41

Dusan Jevtovic guitar

Vasil Hadzimanov keys

Asaf Sirkis drums

Recorded Live at Aclam Studios Barcelona 2019 by Jose Cattaneo

Mixed and mastered by Juan Pablo Alcaro, Buenos Aires, Argentina

Cover photo Xavi Parce

Cover design Aleksandar Popovic

Linear notes Owen Davies

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Dusan Jevtovic / Vasil Hadzimanov DUO (June 2021)

The inspired pairing of guitarist Dusan Jevtovic and pianist Vasil Hadzimanov. Think ECM record label vibe filtered through Radiohead played at an intimate after-hours jazz venue and you’ll catch the vibe.

Vasil’s beautiful arpeggiated piano serves as delicate counterpoint to Dusan’s raw textured playing.

As with the very best instrumental music, there is a lot of careful listening, creative comping, and building off the other players’ energy, resulting in a music that is at once confident, inspired and original.

1. Searching For New 06:01

2. Olas de Anhelo 06:10

3. Coming Back From Yesterday 04:36

4. El Raval 05:04

5. Space Salchicha 05:34

6. Carried By The Wind 04:16

7. Mente Pura 04:46

8. Third Second Step 04:25

9. Gipsy 05:09

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Dusan Jevtovic - No Answer (MOONJUNE RECORDS 2017)

The inspired pairing of guitarist Dusan Jevtovic and pianist Vasil Hadzimanov, mobilized by the convincing playing of Asaf Sirkis on drum kit, has resulted in a sound that cross-pollinates the most forward thinking aspects of progressive music with the excitement of post-jazz. Think ECM record label vibe filtered through Radiohead played at an intimate after-hours jazz venue and you’ll catch the vibe. Choosing to work without a bass player opens new dynamic possibilities and allows the guitar and keyboard voicing to dance and weave in a textural ballet.

Vasil’s beautiful arpeggiated piano serves as delicate counterpoint to Dusan’s raw textured playing. Asaf alternates between the delicacy of Jon Christensen and the driving power of vintage Billy Cobham. Mini Moog bass brings a powerful bottom end for Jevtovic’ soaring acrobatics and reinforces Sirkis’ driving grooves. As with the very best instrumental music, there is a lot of careful listening, creative comping, and building off the other players’ energy, resulting in a music that is at once confident, inspired and original. Dusan Jevtovic’ second international release (his third) on the New York progressive jazz label MoonJune might be his groundbreaking work which will intrigue fans of guitarists such as John Abercrombie, John Frusciante, Terje Rypdal, David Torn, Nels Cline, and Jimi Hendrix.

Dusan Jevtovic is Serbian guitarist based in Barcelona, Spain since 2003, and has released two solo albums: On The Edge” (2009, L’Indi, Spain) and Am I Walking Wrong? (MoonJune, 2013), and has recorded and toured with a vast arrays of International artists such as Xavi Reija, Tony Levin, Gary Husband, Asaf Sirkis, Vasil Hadzimanov, Marko Djordjevic, Xavi Reija, Bernat Hernandez, Markus Reuter, Rafa Pons, Rim Banna.

Vasil Hadzimanov is Serbian pianist/keyboardist based in Belgrade, and son of two iconic pop singers from 60’s and 70’s, who are still active: Macedonian legend Zafir Hadzimanov, and Senka Velentalic. Alumni of Berklee College of Music, Vasil has recorded and performed with Theodossi Spassov, Marko Djordjevic Dusan Jevtovic, Toni Kitanovski, David Binney, Antonio Sanchez, Matt Garrison, Vlatko Stefanovski, Nigel Kennedy, Vlatko Stefanovski, David Gilmore (jazz guitarist).

Asaf Sirkis is one of the busiest European drummers, performing over 200 shows per year. Based in London, born in Israel, he recorded and performed with Tim Garland, Jacob Collier, Larry Coryell, Gwilym Simcock, John Abercrombie, Jeff Berlin, Kenny Wheeler, Gary Husband, Gilad Atzmon, Andy Sheppard, Bob Sheppard, Mark Egan, John Etheridge, Mark Wingfield, Nicolas Meier, Dwiki Dharmawan, Dewa Budjana, Kamal Musallam, David Binney, Billy Sherwood, Carles Benavent, Nguyên Lê, Jimmy Haslip, Beledo, Mauro Pagani, Soft Machine Legacy, and many more.

DUSAN JEVTOVIC guitar

VASIL HADZIMANOV acoustic piano, Fender Rhodes, Mini Moog bass

ASAF SIRKIS drums