Kafka Pony
Music Of Mastaneh Nazarian
© 2006 Mastaneh Nazarian (634479651571)
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Modern jazz compositions/improvisations for guitar trio: beware of the twisted, unusual and the quirky.
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Guitarist and composer Mastaneh Nazarian introduces 6 original pieces for guitar trio, exploring new forms and textures for the ensemble through bossas, ballads and jazz waltzes. Beware of the twisted, the unusual and the quirky.
Featuring the drumming talent of Paul Tavenner and bass ultra-melodicism of Jonathan Dimond, expect the slightly unexpected with Kafka Pony.
About Mastaneh:
I have been manipulating the world of sound as long as I can remember. A preoccupation with guitar related activities took hold at about the same time I immigrated to Rockville, Maryland from Tehran, Iran.
Fell in love with everything music + jazz + lyrical soon after her first Yamaha Nylon String. I knew I was on the right path when I got the following comment from one of the instructors after showing up bright eyed and bushy tailed with my electric guitar to a Summer Jazz Workshop at the local Montgomery College:
"Just what the world needs…a girl with a guitar!"
Influences:
My biggest influences have been language and the wonderful teachers that I was lucky enough to run into and still do everyday.
... the music of Iran and it's many cultures, and Brazilian music are other top contenders.
…Olive Oil and all things good and food and tea and family are on the top of the list!
Ok, Ok, must have been those crazy Polanski movies...
Now really, lets get real: I have three words for you:
Ellington Schoenberg Mingus
reviews
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actually...6 stars!
author: jazzgroovowonderful album, great interplay between top class musicians who master technique and musicality, freedom and groove. I love this kind of 'dark mood'wich flutters over these beautiful compositions, something that reminds me of other albums and artists like 'the book of flame' of michael manring, 'bright size life', 'paris blues' of steve lacy and gil evans, joel newton, bruce dunlap, the dig trio ecc. we need more stuff like this!!
Musical colors branch through dynamic melody, texture and a musically mathmatica
author: Stephen'Breeze'SmithMastaneh's writing feels like a comfort zone of moving melodies, yet reflects a sense of humor bringing just the right edge for my ears to swing and fly from branch to branch throughout her Kafka Pony tree. Band mates Jonathan and Paul are textural, colorful and expressive as they wrap their sensitive musicality around Nazrian's music. A must-have for guitar trio enthusiasts.
A journey to a mysterious and wonderful world!
author: Leo McFaddenTo write a short review of this CD would be a difficult task. Even when one avoids listing the many superlatives that come to mind after listening (and beautiful highlights from each track) there is a compelling need to define, or at least attempt to define the feeling that is experienced, at least by this reviewer, upon hearing the album as a whole. It is at once one of melancholic longing and transcendent joy- all filtered through Mastaneh Nazarian’s wry compositional voice. Whilst certain pieces can be referenced as influenced compositionally by some of the modern greats in the improvised guitar world (Allan Holdsworth, Bill Frisell, and John Scofield), an angular melodicism pervades that is unique to Nazarian. The ensemble playing on this album is also noteworthy as are the individual performances of all three musicians. Beautifully recorded, engineered and mastered by the band's drummer, Paul Tavenner, this album is one which I get a little more from every time I re-visit it.
A must have for Jazz/Fusion lovers
author: Erik MillettThis CD is one of the best independent Jazz/Fusion releases I have heard in a long time. Tonally reminiscent of early Metheny/Pastorius collaborations with more structural freedom, each instrument provides a solid presence while leaving plenty of room for each other. While each track is a gem, my ear especially gravitates to "Samba a la Warsaw" and "Side On."
Excellent; a reat treat to listen to; must have; one of the best Jazz CD's I've
author: Reza GanjaviThis CD is really incredible -- one of the best Jazz CD's I've ever heard. Really enjoyable compositions, performances, and a very unique sound ambiance. It's a must have!