SLAMCD536 Szilárd Mezei Septet – 100 Tű Hossza

‘100 tu hossza’ (Length of 100 Needles), from the septet led by viola player Szilárd Mezei is an eclectic collection of energetic Mezei compositions with strong Central European influences and some great soaring improvisation.

Szilárd Mezei: viola
Bogdan Rankoviæ: alto sax, bass clarinet
Branislav Aksin: trombone
Albert Márkos: cello
Kornél Pápista: tuba
Ervin Malina: double bass
István Csík: drums

“As always noticeable in his scores, Mezei – whose solitary materializations on the viola comprise symbols of a special natural ability – is well aware of the value of dynamic change, knowledgeably establishing points of (relative) relief when required. The band seems to calm down on cue during brief snippets of the title track, only to leave Bogdan Ranković’s reeds rekindle the fire with fiercely classy explorations of the “disruptive stream”. When they regroup after the soliloquies, or launch a new exercise in difficult-to-memorize themes (“Metal Cat” is quite toothsome and even enticing in that sense, while the emotionally affecting “Szakadó Szakadó” gathers Dedication Orchestra scents and Eastern flavors), the little man from Vojvodina emerges once again as one of the genuinely great voices of the European scene.” – Massimo Ricci, The Squid’s Ear

“Although Mr. Mezei is a gifted musician, it is his composing that consistently knocks me out. For this disc Szilard has put together an excellent septet of his regular collaborators. Recorded at the Loft in Koln, the sound is superb. “Seventh” is taken at a nervous, fast-paced tempo with some intricate lines played tightly together and exciting solos from the alto sax, trombone, viola and tuba. Although “Lost Water-Coast” features the cellist, it is layered harmonies for the rest of the band that makes this so compelling. You can tell that Mezei put a good deal of time into composing and arranging this material since the more I listen, the more complex ideas I hear between the soloists and the rest of the ensemble, together and apart. Certain sections are stripped down to give the players a chance to breathe between the more challenging written parts but everything here has a sense of purpose. This music is somewhere in between modern classical and avant jazz, yet it works on a variety of levels. Like everything else from Szilard Mezei, this is another buried treasure well worth seeking out.” – Bruce Lee Gallanter, Downtown Music Gallery

All compositions by Szilárd Mezei
Recorded 21st June 2010, at Loft, Köln, Germany by Christian Heck
Mixed and mastered by Szilárd Mezei

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