ShockolaD. Pokosy.

It amazes at times how finely the Ukrainian folk songs are blended in with the jazz ideas by ShockolaD. Leaving aside the technique there, after all, any tune can be set for jazz, if there’s a will. Let’s pay attention to, as it were, arrangement aesthetics. ShockolaD may have limited itself to some hints at the source turning these songs into a riff with their complete mastery of performing. But the group changes the type of tune very neatly, and, at some extent, they rather add to it than change. It may somewhat confine the space for external developments, though as a result, the musicians keep closer to the main canvas streaming deep their fantasy that comes out newly tinted, with reflections of mastership, facets of source songs – all these needing true consideration, and it is present here. Very likely it is due to less pronounced bass and percussions in this album that come to produce an expressive and strong groove. Keyboards and brass fly clear, emotionally, and rich, with the vocal brining in feelings and drive.

Briefly to mention 2, 10, and 12 tracks of the album to be true jazz romances, a kind of a city folk of a new age. These songs nicely blended with a whole picture of Pokosy promising to be a step forward of the group. All in all, it shows to be an interesting drift, doesn’t it?

Anton Jozhik Leyba (Hedgehog)

Ihor Hnydyn - drums
Anastasija Litvinuk - piano, fender rhodes
Dana Vynnytska - vocal
Sergij Brydun - bass
Volodymyr Urban - alt, sax