Austrian Syndicate
ACT, 2023
8/10
The always impressive David Helbock brings his rhodes, synth and effects to this fusion effort that tips its hat to the Austrian legend Joe Zawinul, and there’s several musicians on hand for the energetic and diverse listen.
“Money In The Pocket” opens the listen with Alex Acuna’s lively percussion alongside Herber Pirker’s fluid drumming and Helbock’s playful synth, and “Hymn To Vienna” follows with a warm intimacy thanks to Peter Madsen’s agile piano and plenty of atmosphere that’s quite graceful.
Elsewhere, “The Third Man” welcomes Dhafer Youssef’s oud to the animated and cinematic landscape, while “The Ups And Down” features Lakecia Benjamin’s soulful sax that complements Raphael Preuschl’s funky bass acrobatics.
Approaching the end, Fred Wesley’s radiant trombone helps illuminate the superb bass plucking of the album highlight, “Crimson Woman”, and “Komm, Lieber, Mai und mache” exits with a busy, cultured delivery that uses Maria Joao’s very frisky vocals and Claudio Spieler’s dynamic percussion strategically.
A listen that spans talent across the globe, Helbock and company make for 12 tracks that never stay in one place long, and puts much excitement into the jazz flavored, worldly mood that’s as contagious as it is accomplished.
Travels well with: Skip Grasso- Becoming; Russ Hewitt- Chasing Horizons