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.

kev rowland Slivovitz are back with their fourth album, which has been made available in multiple formats: HD Download (24bit/88.2khz WAV, FLAC, M4A, MP3-320) and CD (rigid cardboard Mini LP gatefold style packaging, on MoonJune, in collaboration with Audio Anatomy, Poland) and LP - 180 gram vinyl (released in a limited quantity on the Italian vinyl only label SoundFly). Recorded live on May 27th, 2016 at Casa di Alex (Milan), here we have the same line-up that recorded the previous studio album, with material being taken from both ‘All You Can Eat’ and ‘Bani Ahead’. As one would expect from these guys, they have taken the original material and have kept it incredibly tight, but have also allowed themselves to expand and take it into new directions.

These guys are at one with the music, and at one with each other. Yes there is a great deal of structure, there needs to be when the music is as complex as this, yet there is also plenty of room for individual expression. Marcello Giannini allows himself to turn his amp up just that little bit more, using distortion to create a backdrop where he can sit and let the others take the lead, or provide just that little bit of edge. One of the highlights of the set is “Cleopatra Through”, where the guys do allow Riccardo Villari to demonstrate his skills with the violin, and one can feel/hear them all champing at the bit waiting to make their presence felt. It is almost like a pack of wolves, they all want to demonstrate that they are the alpha, but let the others strut their stuff first. The restraint being displayed by all of them is quite considerable, but the music as a whole is always more important than any single individual, and they know when it is time not to play, when it is time to support, and when it is time to just let loose the hounds and go full blast into the dark night. Music likes this takes on an additional edge when in the live environment, and if you have yet to approach these guys, then this is the pl;ace to start.