ManSound. Hymn of Ukraine. (State Anthem of Ukraine)

The group ManSound has already assigned to itself the glory of one of the most interesting and professional jazz collectives of Ukraine. Including – among the collectives that perform music a capella. Moreover, cooperation between the group and one of powerful music recording houses has recently begun – it is entirely obvious that jazz is achieving a new stage of development here. And the first result of their cooperation is not quite a usual release. Actually, the name of this single speaks for itself – the national Anthem of Ukraine really sounds here. All the three versions of the Hymn are variations in the range from gospel and soul to swing – and, to tell you the truth, all the tracks sound just cool. Common sense seems to prompt that we should expect for a skeptical attitude to this kind of experiments. But, dear guests, I insist – the disc is a very qualitative, joyful, live present for all admirers of jazz. Moreover, it is an illustration of how creative approach may change set stereotypes in the radical way. Personally I, for example, have always known that the hymn of a country must sound solemnly – and now I know that its solemnity may be really joyful. And with this new knowledge – I'm amused.

Anton Jozhik Lejba (Hedgehog)