SLIVOVITZ — LiveR (review)

SLIVOVITZ — LiveR album cover Live album · 2017 · Eclectic Fusion Buy this album from MMA partners
4/5 ·
js
Possibly the best fusion band you’ve never heard of, Slivovitz is one of those groups that deserves much wider recognition. Although they started out as an eclectic rock band with fusion leanings, over the years, and through a change-up in the rhythm section, Slivovitz has blossomed into a full blown fusion outfit that can go toe to toe and blow for blow with anybody. This latest album that includes live recordings from 2016 finds the band hitting new peaks and finalizing their status as current fusion heavyweights. All of the tunes on “LiveR” come from their previous two studio albums, but here they are given new life as the band has grown at a rapid rate. Although all of their music more or less falls under the broad umbrella of fusion, their eclectic tendencies remain intact as they perform complex arrangements that draw from funk, prog, the Middle East, blues rock and more.

One of the more striking aspects to Slivovitz is their sound. With a front line ‘horn’ section that includes harmonica, sax, trumpet and violin, they obviously aren’t going to sound like anyone else. It is an entirely un-slick sound, pleasingly raw and ragged, and with their penchant for melodies from Eastern Europe and the Middle East, they can often sound ‘gypsy’ like. Slivovitz can also use all of these instruments to make interesting orchestrations, which they often do while indulging their appreciation for fast changing prog rock style arrangements. This is a live album and everyone gets plenty of solo room and many of the intense solos are the highlight of the record, particularly the rides by saxophonist, Pietro Santangelo.

Album opener “Mai Per Comando” is a top track with its upbeat punk funk reminiscent of the early days of Bill Laswell’s Material. “Currywurst” features JB’s style funk in a somewhat frantic and slightly fractured mode. “Negative Creep” is actually the Nirvana song and Slivovitz plays it hard and heavy in that same style. “Caldo Bagno” is a bonus track that features a burning distorted guitar solo from Marcello Giannini.
Share this review
more

Review Comments

Post a public comment below | Send private message to the reviewer
Please login to post a shout
No shouts posted yet. Be the first member to do so above!

Review Index

Member Zone

Username:
Password:
Stay signed in

Jazz Subgenres

Artists Alpha-index

JMA TOP 5 Jazz ALBUMS

Rating by members, ranked by custom algorithm
Albums with 30 ratings and more
A Love Supreme Post Bop
JOHN COLTRANE
Buy this album from our partners
Kind of Blue Cool Jazz
MILES DAVIS
Buy this album from our partners
The Black Saint and the Sinner Lady Progressive Big Band
CHARLES MINGUS
Buy this album from our partners
Blue Train Hard Bop
JOHN COLTRANE
Buy this album from our partners
My Favorite Things Hard Bop
JOHN COLTRANE
Buy this album from our partners

New Jazz Artists

New Jazz Releases

Green Puma / Tropical Dandy Jazz Related Rock
THE LINK QUARTET
Buy this album from MMA partners
Vinny Golia Quintet : Can You Outrun Them? 21st Century Modern
VINNY GOLIA
Buy this album from MMA partners
Bow Code Fusion
SAMPO HIUKKANEN
Buy this album from MMA partners
Anthem For No Man’s Land Jazz Related Improv/Composition
ANDREAS SCHAERER
Buy this album from MMA partners
Cabaret Eclectic Fusion
MARIUS NESET
Buy this album from MMA partners
More new releases

New Jazz Online Videos

Paper Plane Pilot
MIKE DE SOUZA
js· 10 minutes ago
Green Puma
THE LINK QUARTET
js· 14 minutes ago
Heavy Cream
SAMPO HIUKKANEN
js· 2 hours ago
Sunday afternoon
FURIO DI CASTRI
snobb· 15 hours ago
Harmônicos
FABIANO DO NASCIMENTO
js· 1 day ago
More videos

New JMA Jazz Forum Topics

More in the forums

New Site interactions

More...

Latest Jazz News

members-submitted

More in the forums

Social Media

Follow us
Follow us on Twitter Become a Facebook fan RSS Feed