Hungary-based label BMC (short for Budapest Music Center) Records specializes in left of center ideas and approaches. We’ll feature a handful of releases every now and then. If nothing else, these guys are trying to find new sounds and approaches. Dig in!
Soprano sax icon Dave Liebman teams up with pianist Kristjan Randalu for 16 interpretations of the classic Mussorgsky opus Pictures at an Exhibition. There are a handful of “Promenades” which range from elegiac to launguid blue, while the major framed pieces range from dots and dashes of “Les Tuileries” and agitated “Gnomus” to graceful tricles on “Cum MOrtuis inLingua Mortua”. Randalu is full fisted on “Baba Yaga” and in a ragtime mood fo “Limoges-The Market” while Liebman puffs out “Ballet of the Unhatched Chickens” and is dramatic on the shadowed “Catacombae”. Russian art exhibit.
Jans Aved/ts, Marton Fenyvesi/ag, Matyas Szandai/b and Andras Des/perc create 10 moments of spontaneity on this release. Long tones mourn over the rustle of “ Cautiuous Party” while Aved hits th upper register on”Interplay II-Onwards”. Szandai and Fenyvesi veer around mouthpiece experiments on “Pan” and jam like the Yardbirds for “Life Sings On”. There’s a 3 legged race on Music for Brokers” and a dash of swing for “Dora’s Song”. Is there sheet music for this?
Vocalist Veronika Hercsa teams up with harpist Anastasia Ravalyaeva and Marton Fenyvesi on guitar and electronics for interpretations of Claude Debussy compositions. Harcsa is operatic with Fenyvesi for “Beau Soir” and ehterial on the dainty “Fleur Des Bles”. She fills the room on “Le Chevelure” while Razvalyaeva’s harp is effective on the dreamy “La Flute De Pan” and pretty for “Nuit D’ Etoiles”. There are dark effects and harmonies on the harrowing “Le Son Du Cor S’Afflige Vers Les Bois” and patient spacings for “La Me Est Puls Belle”. Impressions of Impressionism.