Ratko Zjaca: Continental Talk (2009)

John Barron

CD/DVD Reviewer since 2007

This writer enjoys listening to past giants and anyone else who doesn't try to sound like them.

Recent articles (188 total)

Published: June 6, 2009

When guitarist Ratko Zjaca plans a recording session, he thinks big in terms of sidemen. The guitarist's 2006 release Crossing the Border (Nishville Records) featured bassist John Patitucci John Patitucci
b.1959
bass and drummer Al Foster Al Foster
b.1944
drums , along with saxophonist and co-producer Stanislav Mitrovic. For Continental Talk, Patitucci and Mitrovic return and Foster is replaced by legendary drummer Steve Gadd Steve Gadd
b.1945
drums . Trumpeter Randy Brecker Randy Brecker
b.1945
trumpet is featured on three tunes.

The disc's twelve tracks—all original material written by Zjaca and Mitrovic—range from in-the-pocket funk to more open-ended modal jams. Zjaca leads the way throughout with his clean-toned hollow body Gibson guitar. The opening minor blues "Breakfast in Tokyo" and the mellow 6/8 bounce of "Portrait in Retrograde" demonstrate the guitarist's use of lush voicings and swinging single note lines. Tunes such as "At the Crossroads," "Home Again" and "Anibas" portray a light and lyrical landscape with Zjaca featured on acoustic guitar.

Mitrovic soars gracefully from track to track on both tenor and soprano saxophone. Indeed, the saxophonist turns in some of the more inspiring solos on the recording, including a Joe Henderson Joe Henderson
1937 - 2001
sax, tenor -inspired romp through his own composition "Correspondence" and a memorable duet with Gadd at the beginning of "Inner Ears."

As would be expected, Gadd and Patitucci provide rock-solid support with sensitivity to the unfolding of each groove. Brecker blows everybody away with brazen force, especially on the rocked-up "E Doubt."

Track Listing: Breakfast in Tokyo; The New Life: Portrait in Retrograde; Inner Ears; Kurosawa; At the Crossroads; Home Again; Correspondence; Feather; The Gate; Anibas; E Doubt.

Personnel: Ratko Zjaca: electric guitar, acoustic guitar; John Patitucci: acoustic bass; Steve Gadd: drums; Stanislav Mitrovic: tenor saxophone, soprano saxophone; Randy Brecker: trumpet.

Record Label: In + Out Records
Style: Modern Jazz