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f you’re a fan of modern big band music, you’re going to have a friend in the Danish team of Blood Sweat Drum + Bass, which is a 15-30 rotating orchestra that on this cd/dvd shows the width and breath of this exciting band. You’ve got international stars like Palle Mikkelborg/tp-fh, David Liebman/ss-fl, Moslen Rahal/fl, Maher Mahmoud/oud, Helen Davies M ikkelborg/harp and Bilal Irshed/oud that contribute solos and extra framework to the four songs on the cd and the 11 tunes on the dvd which has videos from concerts of the past 7 years. Most of the songs are suite-like in their range and mood swings, with some the shadow of Gil Evans looming over the harmonies
The title track is a 22” peace that mixes Mikkelborg’s gasping trumpet and Liebman’s soprano weaving in a collection of grooves ranging from reggae to waves of swing. A brooding “Prayer for Syria” features Rahal’s flute and vocals by Gunhild OVeregseth and Turid Guldin, while some exciting drum work rumbles along during “On The Road to Alhambra.” Electronics, strings and lots of brass create layers upon layers, and the variations of moods feel like changing pictures on a power point presentation. It’s a pleasure to find a band that is successful in mixing sophisticated sounds with palpable rhythms, balance head and heart.