Words by Justin Turford
Greek noir, is there such a thing? If there is is then this is the house band and bandleader Yannis Angelolopoulos AKA Jan Van is its rhythmic heart. Top quality improvisational music that is loosely though definitely jazz (as we agree on jazz to be) with a laïkodimotiko (local, popular music) foundation.
As the already economically hammered Greek nation was tentatively climbing out of its recession, Covid 19 unleashed another stratum of hell on the country. Jan, wrenched down like so many across the globe, looked to creating a jam session with other musicians to allow these confused, traumatised feelings to unchain into something useful, creative, expressive, cathartic. There was very little to the brief given. ‘WATER’.
A highly experienced improvisational jazz drummer with seven years at the Rotterdam’s Conservatorium's (Codarts) Jazz Department under his belt and a long and varied background in the Athens jazz and improv world, Jan knew who to turn to. Straight after lockdown ended in May 2021, the band were assembled. Paraskevas Kitsos on bass, Vangelis Stefanopoulos on piano and Fotis Siotas on violin, viol, and voice. No pre-written compositions, recording live in a studio. True improvisation (though you wouldn’t know it if I hadn’t told you). This isn’t spontaneous jazz in the freakout vein, wild screeching horns and tumble rush drums. As the brief hinted at and as the title of the album ‘Streams’ reinforces, the music recorded has a calmness about it. This isn’t water as tidal waves but as winding brooks, moments of stillness, dark pools with endless bottoms. The record also grooves pretty hard. Jan is a sublime drummer as listeners of his work with fellow rhythm traveller Dave de Rose will confirm, and his fellow musicians know exactly where to place their notes, when to sit back, offer space, listen.
The band
The album came out in June so I’m a bit late to the party here but then time has become a nonsensical regime during this period non? The delay, however, has given me time to really delve deep into the record and it really is something. Emotive, liberating, funky and thoughtful. A truly cinematic album that needs to be listened to as a whole. Excellent 9/10
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