Reincarnated
Immersive Audio Network, 2020
8/10
The esteemed guitarist, producer and improviser Ulas Hazar returns with Piotr Torunski, Mike Roelofs, Mehmet Katay and Al Di Meola, as the artists inject bossa nova, Gypsy swing, bebop and even flamenco into these highly tuneful 9 tracks.
Hazar starts the album with the hypnotic acoustic guitar of “Made For Wesley”, where enchanting melodies populate the engaging opener, and “Spain” follows with help from Al Di Meola, who plays the cajon, a percussive instrument, as the pair work together dynamically on the Chick Corea tune.
Elsewhere, bossa nova and adventurous jazz flow alongside on “Bossa Dorado”, while “Made in France” brings a strong energy to the jazz waltz with particularly great percussion from Katay. “For Sephora”, the album highlight, then recruits a playful Brazilian influence to the warm melodies, and the traditional “Le Vieux Tzigane” allows Hazar’s exceptional guitar work to shine on the solo piece and album finisher.
A German native, amazingly, guitar wasn’t Hazar’s primary instrument at the onset of his musical career. Here, though, he proves yet again that he’s one of the most skilled and versatile guitar players today, across a very eclectic and admirable jazz effort.
Travels well with: Sukyung Kim- Lilac Hill; Jason Kao Hwang- Human Rites Trio