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"Simply put, Kalamona is Eastern European jazz at its best: exuberant, emotional, visceral, and modern. Dél-Alföldi Szaxofonegyüttes (The Southern Plain Saxophone Ensemble) blend Hungarian folk songs and avant-garde jazz licks to create the most festive music since John Zorn's Masada. Béla Burány, Balázs Dongó, and Béla Ágoston are accomplished saxophone players propelled by a level of energy that equals a whole big band. They rival in solo virtuosity, but also come together to form nice contrapuntal motifs. They are backed by a strong rhythm section made of bassist Róbert Benkö, sadly a bit lost in the mix, and drummer Tamás Geröly, a dynamo. Kalamona is beautifully sequenced. It begins with two short saxophone trios that emphasize a nostalgic mood. Then comes the traditional festive tune "Kerekes" (Wheel Song), which introduces the rhythm section. That's when Dél-Alföldi hit hard with "Molnár Hol a Pénzed" (The Miller's Ballad) and "Kalamona." The first piece pairs a swinging jazz theme with a softer middle section, the ballad, sung by Ágoston. A series of saxophone solos follow, dancing on the fine line between jazz and experimental, blowing ferocious split tones and highly lyrical phrases. The title track is another one of those irresistible East-European party tunes ("Doodle" and "Reindeer" will also get the feet going). The 20-minute suite "Jelek/Sámánének" (Signals/Shaman Song) is the most raucous track, one powerful highlight. Fans of Masada, Yuri Yukanov, and klezmer/gypsy music with an avant-garde twist in general will love this. This is music to get excited about. And as usual with November releases, the CD comes packaged with stunning artwork. Strongly recommended."
1. The Shepherd's Dream
2. Song from Moldva
3. Wheel Song
4. The Miller's Ballad
5. Kalamona
6. Signals / Shaman Song
7. Doodle
8. Reindeer
9. A Question for the Evening
Béla Burány (Baritone and Soprano Saxes)
Balázs Dongó Szokolai (Soprano Saxophone, Bass Clarinet, Kaval, Overtone Singing and Whistle)
Béla Ágoston (Alto and Tenors Saxophone, Bass Clarinet, Vocals and Overtone Singing)
Róbert Benkő (Double Bass)
Tamás Sándor Geröly (Drums and Percussion, Vocal)
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The ensemble was formed by three young sax-players in 1992, all born and, by and large, still living in the Southern and South-Eastern end of the Great Hungarian Plains. In fact they derive their name from the region of their birth. ("Dél-alföldi" means "of the Southern Plains"). Their common ground is not just a matter of geography, although geography matters too because the corner of Hungary they come from practically borders on the Balkans and that is also something that you can hear in their music. The present personnel crystallized in 1997. Their repertoire includes folk arrangements, traditional pieces, and jazzy, almost danceable compositions with their roots in the rhythmic world of Hungarian and Eastern European folk music and jazz. Their musical choices are illustrated by their instruments too: the bag pipe, the hit gardon (a percussion instrument resembling the shape of a cello), traditional recorders, and the "körtemuzsika" (a special Hungarian flute) are in their arsenal just as well as a unique vocal effect called tuva singing. In the singular compositional concepts of the three saxophonists just as in the free parts one can point out highly individual ideas. However, the influence of Mihály Dresch’s and György Szabados’ music on their approach is undeniable.
01. Sirató
02. Fekete Kata
03. Matropolis Shaman
04. Új Tánc
05. Verbunk És Rilladri
06. Fecske (Mesteremnek)
07. Esthajnal (Csiribiri Emlékére)
08. Cool
Ágoston, Béla voice/saxophone/clarinet/saxophone - tenor/saxophone - alto
Benkő, Róbert double bass
Burány, Béla Pöcök saxophone
Geröly, Tamás drums
Szokolay, Dongó Balázs saxophone/recorder/clarinet
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