MÁSFÉL — En garde! (review)

MÁSFÉL — En garde! album cover Album · 2005 · Jazz Related Rock Buy this album from MMA partners
4/5 ·
js
Since this band has been around since the early 90s you could hardly call them new, but their sound is really modern and they are new to me, so if they are new to you, they are one of the finest 'new' bands to come along in quite a while. Masfel starts with a mix common to live electronica bands that includes drumnbass, dub, house and trip- hop; but they also add other unexpected styles such as Fred Frith type odd metered fusion-rock with East European flavors, math rock, crime jazz and even some metal. None of these style combinations sound contrived or forced and all flow together to make unique songs that are upbeat and 'catchy'. All of the musicians are superb, but I really enjoy saxophonist Levente Lukac, who often double tracks his saxophones to get that old school 50s rock sound that was also utilized by 70s fusion-rockers like King Crimson and Passport. The use of the saxophones as well as some raw rockin elements keep Masfel from sounding plastic and overly digital, a problem that plagues many bands that try to create a live electronica sound. Occasional vocals from Gaya Arutjunjan add an exotic element that reflects her East European singing style. There is a lot of joy and kinetic vibes to this energetic band and I bet they are a blast to see live.
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

My Ship Hard Bop
WILLIE JONES III
Buy this album from MMA partners
Ice Breaking Post-Fusion Contemporary
DAG ARNESEN
Buy this album from MMA partners
Lee Ritenour & Dave Grusin : Brasil Latin Jazz
LEE RITENOUR
Buy this album from MMA partners
From The North - Gogo Penguin Live In Manchester Nu Jazz
GOGO PENGUIN
Buy this album from MMA partners
Anthony Braxton Saxophone Quartet : Sax QT (Lorraine) 2022 Avant-Garde Jazz
ANTHONY BRAXTON
Buy this album from MMA partners
More new releases

New Jazz Online Videos

03 Willie Jones III My Ship #NightIsAlive
WILLIE JONES III
snobb· 6 hours ago
Fall
SUNNY KIM
js· 20 hours ago
Twilight
RANDY SCOTT
js· 1 day ago
Trifecta - Beck and Call - official video (taken from The New Normal)
TRIFECTA
js· 2 days ago
Phoenix
GRÉGORY PRIVAT
js· 2 days 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