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Progressive Rock CD Reviews

Orkestar MÉZÉ

Peasant Funk

Review by Gary Hill

This is quite a cool album. It’s got a lot of jazz and fusion, but there is also plenty of world music on display. It’s entertaining from start to finish and comes highly recommended.

This review is available in book format (hardcover and paperback) in Music Street Journal: 2013  Volume 4 at lulu.com/strangesound.

Track by Track Review
Peasant Funk

A killer jazz jam opens this, feeling like something from the heyday of the big band era. The tune works out to a killer modern funky jam from there, though. There are some elements of world music woven into this as it continues. The thing combines those varied sounds as it works its way forward. This is an instrumental.

Pustono Ludo I Mado
The same general mix of styles is heard here. The female vocals lend a different air to the piece. It is less funky and more based in world music. The extended instrumental section later includes some killer saxophone soloing. It works towards space meets jam sounds during that instrumental movement.
The Goat's Hyacinths
Twisting and turning, this killer instrumental is even stronger than the two openers. The funky bass guitar that drives it really stands out. Still, there is plenty of that world music vibe and this just works through some jazz and other styles as it continues. The horn soloing is classy.
Miniskirts
Although the world music is still present on this instrumental, the tune is really almost pure fusion. It’s another great piece of music on a disc that has no shortage of great music.
Song from Belitza
The rhythm section opens this piece. It’s got jazz, rock and world music in the mix. It also sees the return of the vocals. There are some great twists and turns on this beast.
Silicone (Sagapo)
Imagine mixing world music with jazz and an edgy rock sound. You’ll be pretty close to this fun tune. It’s got male vocals and at times makes me think of a proggy Devo.
Under The Table
Here is another that lands pretty firmly under the “jazz” heading. It twists and turns and has a lot of energy and just oozes cool. It’s a great instrumental.
Vino Pia
There is a lot of klezmer music in this number. It’s got the familiar mix of sounds outside of that, though. Female vocals return here and there is a real driving element to this. It’s high energy and quite tasty.
Ederlezi
This might be the most understated cut here. It’s also my favorite. The vocals are amazing. The mix of mellower retro sounding progressive rock and world music is classic, too. It is just such a powerful piece of music, despite being mellow. There is a more powered up, jazzy section near the end.
ButchyMitch
That klezmer element is prominent on this tune, but so is jazz. It’s another killer piece.
Funky Peasant
Non-lyrical vocals (sort of in the background), with a real klezmer element open the title track. Then it gets a full jazz treatment without those vocals. This is a short little jam that feels a lot like the previous piece.
Ederlezi (?ALKANSKY Remix)
Here we get a remix of the album’s best song. Normally I’m not a big fan of this kind of concept, but it works really well on this number.
 
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