Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » XADU: Random Abstract
XADU: Random Abstract
ByThe title track "Random Abstract," is modeled with Jevtovic's death metal crunch chords, fancy fretwork and his partner's budding drum patterns as they incite notions of a forthcoming Apocalypse along with some crafty noise-shaping episodes. However, the duo improvises quite often and doesn't sit on one particular groove, whether they indulge in some good old straight-four rockers or employ some grit and grizzle amid an array of fireworks and the drummer's peppery, up-tempo polyrhythmic beats.
Jevtovic uses his EFX pedals to great effect while dishing out a diverse tonal stew via harmonious passages and ostinato developments that offer a few mesmeric forays into the netherworld. During certain movements the musicians execute steely-edged and fractured funk themes, and generate an imposing jazz-fusion workout on "Workplace." The musicians also go toe-to- toe but don't strangle themselves with a hodgepodge of technical blowouts or incessant soloing escapades. Elsewhere, Jevtovic's droning notes and avant-garde expressionism instills a 360-degree shift in strategy. As a whole, it's an entrancing and focused venture produced with the audience in mind, and not just a trial and error type practice session by any stretch of the imagination.
Track Listing
Secrets; Random Abstract; Decaying Sky; New Pop; Something In Between; Deep Ocean; Place With A View; Workplace; No Hope.
Personnel
Xavi Reija: drums; Dusan Jevtovic: guitar.
Album information
Title: Random Abstract | Year Released: 2015 | Record Label: Moonjune Records
< Previous
Open Road