EYOT - Drifters '2013

Tracks list

Now for some of you this seems a tad early for a new release review when in
reality we are talking just slightly over a month on some cutting edge music
which seems to be the consistent sonic road less traveled for Neuklang. Eyot is
based out of Serbia and this particular release is about as close as you can get
to a sonic virtual diary of their travels from east to west. Drifters is far
more than an apt title to describe the nomadic existence played out on the road
but is instead a musical time capsule put together by an exciting collective
that celebrates the intimacy and personal time growing both personally and
artistically during this 4tets highly energetic growth spurt.

While the band posses a highly charged energy the whole yen/yang thing is
seemingly shot down (at least by some) as being a bit on the melancholy side of
the coin. Despite the failed attempt at pigeon holing this ensemble, Eyot
manages to find that elusive pot at the end of the rainbow. These people are
musical realists much in the sane way a critic can not refer to every release
that crosses their desk as amazing. Eyot is however on to an amazing fresh sound
and approach to a more contemporary sound that could be the next big thing here
in the States. The conceptual representation here is of musicians with a hunger
for a new sound, the lost chord as it were. The end result is a magical blend of
jazz culture with classical piano, the edgy sound of Eastern European folk music
and the ambient texture of a walk on the smooth side of electronic fusion.
Bottom line is that it works or perhaps it is the symbiotic chemistry of the
band members that allow this hybrid in its infancy to slowly begin to take hold
across the globe.

She Is Dreaming Of A Better Day opens with a rather ominous if not mysterious
piano and drum duo that would make one feel more at home watching a murder
mystery until the tune unfolds with methodical like precision including the bass
work of Marko Stojiljkovic complimented by drummer Milos Vojvodic. The Crest Of
The Wave is an enthusiastic piece, contemporary in scope without bordering on
the corporate boardroom approach band or artists such as Bony Jams or Trombone
Shorty might take a stab at. The title track Drifters keeps the simple melodies
close to the vest while letting loose with to her the subtle nuances that seem
to reveal something new with each subsequent spin. Weaving in and out of certain
tunes is an almost early Radiohead feel and thus the organic pulse created with
the opening track is allowed to come full circle.

Inventive, inspirational and at times somewhat in your face Eyot crashes the
musical glass ceiling with ease and despite the myriad of influences from which
the band pulls, Eyot is a name to remember for future reference.. 4 out of 5
stars. As close to perfect as one can pull off without finding those pesky sonic
tripwires. A perfect mix of the old and the new forming a new sonic alliance for
a new generation. (Brent Black, Criticaljazz.com)

Dejan Ilijic, piano
Sladjan Milenovic, guitar
Milos Vojvodic, drums
Marko Stojiljkovic, bass

Tracklist:
01. EYOT - She Is Dreaming of a Better Day (7:35)
02. EYOT - The Crest of the Wave (5:07)
03. EYOT - At Source (7:30)
04. EYOT - Coils (4:25)
05. EYOT - Well Get There (4:01)
06. EYOT - Drifters (7:24)
07. EYOT - Firebird (6:51)
08. EYOT - The View Through the Blurry Window (13:06)

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