Transverse
Calligram, 2025
9/10
Chad McCullough, Gordan Spasovski, Kiril Tufecievski and Viktor Filipovski come together for these 8 involved jazz songs that carry Macedonian folk traces and illustrate superb chemistry.
“Lake Orchid Lament” opens with the swirling keys from Spasovksi that align with McCullough’s soulful trumpet, and “Falling Tide” continues the elegance via dreamy keys and Filipovski’s restrained drums that tug on the heartstrings.
Halfway through is where “For Leni” resides, and it welcomes upbeat keys and flowing brass amid Tufekcievski’s playful bass, while “The Forlorn Tale Of Tomorrow” offers intimacy and emotion thanks to the soft gestures and thoughtful environment.
“Twist” and “Real & Unreal” exit the listen. The former carries a rich and cautious bout of textured ideas, and the latter allows for the cozy rhythm section, warm trumpet and light keys to radiate much timelessness.
This is the quartet’s first recording on American ground and let’s hope it isn’t the last, cause their attention to rhythm, melody and swingin’ moments is very easy to enjoy.
Travels well with: Chad McCullough- in these hills, beyond; Alyn Cosker- Onta