In Morava/Na Morave
Newport Line, 2023
8/10
Listen to In Morava/Na Morave
The esteemed pianist and composer Skip Williams finds himself in the company of the bassist Josef Fečo and drummer Tomáš Hobzek for these tracks that pay tribute to Wilkins’ many travels across both sides of the Atlantic.
“My Beautiful Stranger” starts the listen with Williams’ warm keys amid Hobzek’s fluid drumming for the rhythmic climate, and “Nearly Good Wine” follows with swift melodies that benefit much from Fečo’s playful bass lines.
The pace trims back in the middle for the intimate “Kaja (Take Two)”, thanks to Wilkins’ emotive key progressions, while “Bohunka’s Cakes” meshes the trio’s respective skills into a rich and dynamic display of cozy, timeless jazz sounds.
The last 2 tracks don’t disappoint either, where “Kaja (Take One)” glows with an introspective and dreamy appeal, and “Threads” exits with adventurous vocal scatting populating the unpredictable bass and diverse drumming which suits the radiant keys.
Travels well with: Donald Vega- As I Travel; Anthony Fung- Fo(u)rth