Marton Juhasz - 2025 - Metropolis

(39:33; Unit Records)






















Track list:
1. Plato’s Clave 4:24
2. Ancestral Drift 6:20
3. Sao Paulo 4:37
4. Helio 4:09
5. Wren Song 6:26
6. Radar 4:14
7. Winged Travelers 4:43
8. Mr. Busyman Goes On Holiday 4:40

Line-up:
Charley Rose - saxophones
Fabio Gouvea - guitars
Jeremie Krüttli - bass
Lorenzo Vitolo - fender rhodes
Marton Juhasz - drums


Prolusion.
Hungarian artist and composer Marton Juhasz has a career that goes back 15 years and a bit, and have participated on a number of different recordings over the years in addition to releasing solo albums along the way. His latest solo album is called "Metropolis", and was released through the label Unit Records in February 2025.

Analysis.
While it is safe to state that jazz is the main style explored on this instrumental production, this is also a creation that ventures into the jazzrock realm on regular occasions. While perhaps not a purebred example of the latter, depending on subjective point of view, it is most certainly a production that will be of interest for those with a taste for this particular variety of progressive rock.

Not that style and orientation is all that important. At least in this case my perception is that this is a creation that celebrate and explore the role of the rhythms in music more than anything else. Which is, perhaps, both logical and natural, considering that Juhasz is a drummer.

Expressive rhythm patterns is a staple throughout here, explored and executed in more overt manners as well as in more careful and subtle ways. Infectious grooves and driving rhythm patterns providing tension and momentum are prevalent, but careful rhythm displays providing elegant support for the other instrumentalists are very much in place too.

From the strong and distinct groove of 'Plato's Cave' through to the busy and compelling percussion details that is such a defining feature on 'Mr. Busyman Goes on Holiday' to the more careful support on 'Helio', variation is to be found and enjoyed in a number of different manners here. Playful excursions and elegant displays alternate with compositions with a more expressive approach and execution, with 'Wren Song' perhaps being a bit of a key track for those fond of the more expressive aspects of the jazz and jazzrock tradition. And the aforementioned 'Helio' may well be the one composition to lend an ear to for those fond of the more atmospheric aspects of an artist such as Al DiMeola.

This is a playful creation more than anything else, and a production where all the instrumentalists gets ample room to soar and shine to boot. As well as a creation that does a good job in balancing the atmospheric and compelling creations with those who are a bit more expressive and challenging in nature. Arguably with a bit more of the former than the latter.

Conclusion.
Those who enjoy their jazz and jazzrock explored in a compelling and playful manner, with occasional side steps into more overt expressive and challenging territories, should find a lot to enjoy on this production. Especially for those with a real soft spot for the drums and percussion to have a prominent and defining role in the proceedings. And in general, an album to seek out by those who love and treasure a compelling and subtly expressive variety of playful and instrumental jazz and jazzrock.

Olav "Progmessor" Björnsen, February 2025

Links:
https://martonjuhasz.com/
https://unitrecords.com/

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