Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Rale Micic: 3

Rale Micic: 3

By Jerry D'Souza
April 13, 2010
Sign in to view read count

Guitarist Rale Micic, who was born and raised in Belgrade, Serbia, moved to the United States after receiving a scholarship from the Berklee College of Music. He later made New York his base. Micic has recorded three CDs for CTA Records. The first, Bridges (2003), featured a quintet that included trumpeter Tom Harrell, followed by the quartet date, Serbia (2006). For his third venture 3—which stands for "rhythm, harmony and melody"—Micic has pared his band down to a trio. Drummer Gregory Hutchinson returns from Serbia, while bassist Sean Conly, from the guitarist's first two records, is replaced by Scott Colley.

Micic is a sensitive player who spins tales of delicate enticement melding Serbian melodies and jazz harmony. He plays with deliberate ease, letting the rhythm flow smoothly before he enunciates it with emphatic chords. But there is more, as he swerves out of linear development to add swing, bop and, in the case of "Serbology," an extended skein of Serbian music and rhythm. Micic underpins the momentum with a breezy pulse, adding just a sprinkling of bebop for extra flavor. Hutchinson and Colley are empathic, with Hutchinson riding out to add an occasional daub of color. The beat is given added dimension and texture by the drum work of special guests Uros Markovic on tapan and Aleksandar Jovanovic on tarabuka.

It is hard to argue with the well-delineated thematic exposition of "I Love You." Starting off quietly, the guitar's shimmering lines jump into a buoyant pulse after a conversation with Colley. The earlier mood has been effectively transposed, the stylistic move quiet simply delightful.

Micic serves his inspired and irresistible compositions with flair and an accomplished approach to give this CD a lyrical and highly satisfying presence.

Track Listing

Dealin'; The World Doesn't End; I Love You; Serbology; Pannonia; Naïve art; Three of a Kind; Thirty Three; Night Has a 1000 Eyes; Gybanitza.

Personnel

Rale Micic

guitar

Rale Micic: guitar; Scott Colley: bass; Gregory Hutchinson: drums; Uros Markovic: tapan; Aleksandar Jovanovic: tarabuka.

Album information

Title: 3 | Year Released: 2010 | Record Label: CTA Records

< Previous
Aliso

Next >
Aliso

Comments

About Rale Micic

Instrument: Guitar

Tags

For the Love of Jazz

All About Jazz has been a pillar of jazz since 1995, championing it as an art form and, more importantly, supporting the musicians who create it. Our enduring commitment has made "AAJ" one of the most culturally important websites of its kind, read by hundreds of thousands of fans, musicians and industry figures every month.

You Can Help

To expand our coverage even further and develop new means to foster jazz discovery and connectivity we need your help. You can become a sustaining member for a modest $20 and in return, we'll immediately hide those pesky ads plus provide access to future articles for a full year. This winning combination will vastly improve your AAJ experience and allow us to vigorously build on the pioneering work we first started in 1995. So enjoy an ad-free AAJ experience and help us remain a positive beacon for jazz by making a donation today.