Anastasios Savvopoulos / Azure - Convex Mirrors [Aut Records 074]

Released via the ever active Italian staple that is Aut Records as the labels cat.no. 074 on September 13th, 2k21 is "Convex Mrrrors", the first ever album by the Anastasios Savvopoulos-led quartet that is Azure. Informed and influenced by the compositional ideas and formal approach of both cubism and futurism in art the group forges a total of five compositions over the course of approx. 39 minutes on this longplayer, creating a fascinatingly retrofuturist combination of laid back Jazz and what seem to be electronically implemented glitch techniques which are only appearing in the opening sequence of the otherwise smooth and slick title track and its extended meanderings whereas "Debonair" keeps things classy, yet shifts gears towards a more lively and dramatic Jazz approach driven by an intense melodic interaction of mostly piano and saxophone before a slightly twangy and somewhat psychedelic take on guitar performance takes over in the tunes second half. The subsequent "Epicycles" sees the ensemble Azure on a journey into tenderness and quasi-romanticism for lovers with an acquired and exquisite musical taste, "False Mirrors" - again, mirrors! - provides nothing but good vibes based on a complex syncopated rhythmical swing accompanied by bright shimmering melodic variations and occasional off kilter excursions and the concluding "Paroxysm" closes the cycle on a smokey, laid back vibe evoking memories of the patina covering your favorite underground cocktail spot which has been there for decades, even before you moved into town. One not to be missed for true Jazz aficionados.