js How does one put out an interesting fusion record these days? Once the new kid on the block, fusion has been around for almost 60 years now, what can someone do that’s new in the fast approaching third decade of the new century. A good place to start would be to check out, “Lines In Sand”, the new CD by Balkan keyboardist Vasil Hadzimanov. Here we find music that combines influences from the Balkans and Middle East with American jazz, funk and RnB plus plenty of modern day sounds and rhythms via the youthful world of electronica and European nu jazz and you end up with a creation that opens new doors and presents fusions of fusion that you haven’t heard before.

Vasil Hadzimanov has been performing and composing professionally for almost 25 years now, and his group featured on here has been together since 2001. The fact that these guys have known each other for some time shows in their intuitive interactions. For being a fusion record, “Lines in Sand” is gratefully short on long winded solos. There are plenty of barn burning rides for Vasil and his band mates when needed, but often they eschew the solos for a more team oriented approach to improvisation. In that respect they recall classic Weather Report at their best. Of the solo spots themselves, honorable mention must go to guest saxophonist Rastko Obradovic and his Coltrane like excursions.

It’s the variety and the creativity within that variety that makes “Lines in Sand” work. Here is a band that can go from swinging acoustic post bop to Balkan techno within one song and make it sound as organic and natural as a hearty bowl of super crunch granola.

js Jazz fusion is alive and well in 2016, and still making a steady comeback thanks to artists like Vasil Hadzimanov and his new lively live album; “Alive”, which features Vasil’s usual electric quintet expanded with the inclusion of saxophonist David Binney. The spirit of early Weather Report can be heard on here, both the Miroslav and Alphonso versions, which is always a good thing as Vasil channels Zawinul while Binney invokes Wayne Shorter, but there is a lot more influences at work on here than just the past. Like a lot of modern fusion artists, Hadzimanov has modernized his sound with shades of electronica and drumnbass rhythms, plus influences from around the world, particularly the Balkans and North Africa. Also, like a lot of modern fusion, the boring slickness of the 80s is far behind us on “Alive”, instead, this music is raw, imaginative and energetic with a very loose approach.

“Alive” opens with two lengthy cuts that bear some resemblance to the aforementioned Weather Report, and while Vasil and David’s call and response might remind some of classic Zawinul and Shorter, over time, Binney tends to eschew the minimalist Shorter style, and instead digs deep into his saxophone with sheets of notes that recall modal masters like Kenny Garret and John Coltrane. After these two openers, things diversify a bit with the percussion led “Oldazim” and the North African rock of “Dolazim”. Later in the album, the quiet and meditative “Razbolje Se Simsir List” uses classical type motifs and “Uaiya” presents Binney’s most extensive solo. Overall there are no bum tracks on the entire album, its smokin hot from start to finish.

snobb Berklee graduate Vasil Hadzimanov is a son of one of the most popular Macedonian chanson singer Zafir Hadzimanov.After few years he spent playing in US, he returned to his native Serbia and founded what currently is obviously most professional Serbian jazz fusion band (with another Berklee graduate bassist Vlada Samardžić on board).

The history of modern days West Balkans jazz isn't easy at all. Being one of advanced jazz country in all Eastern Europe in late 70-s, during Balkan wars musical tradition in all former Yugoslavian countries were destroyed and all best musicians were emigrated to Western Europe or US. As a result new generation of competent jazz musicians in region almost doesn't exist at all.

In that situation, Vasil Hadzimanov band is almost a miracle - extremely professional musicians play jazz fusion,seriously influenced by Joe Zawinul at the top level of musicianship. Hadzimanov as keyboardist is all excellent, and mostly keyboards based band's sound is authentic enough mixing mid-70s fusion with clever doze of Balkan folklore. Possibly some conservative look on material could be criticized, but knowing the musical situation in the region such genre's choice looks quite understandable though.

Even if this album is first of all keyboards-based fusion example, there is enough space for each musician,and everyone of band's members demonstrate extremely high professional level. Great thing is there is not overdose of Balkan/Gypsy folk elements in band's music (not an often case for region bands).In all,excellent if a bit vintage fusion album,one of the best jazz release coming from Western Balkans from last few decades.