MUSIC SOUP
This Greek organ trio hailing from Athens offers some sophisticated and satisfying jazz which unfailingly swings. Evgenia Karlafti plays a Hammond XK3c organ which emulates, as much as anything can, the classic sound of the old Hammond B3. There’s certainly a touch of Larry Young about Karlafti’s technique. Nestor Dimopoulos, meanwhile, contributes Kenny Burrell-like guitar to the mix. This is all hung together by Vagelis Kotzabasis’s tight drumming. Of the eight numbers featured here, only one is a non-original, Burt Bacharach’s wistful My Little Red Book. Some of the selections veer towards mainstream but there are some standouts such as Korean Apartment, Around The World and Fun Island.
-Jazz Journal
"...Το Music Soup Organ Trio είναι ένα (ελληνικό) τζαζ σχήμα, που μπορεί να διαπρέψει, και δισκογραφικά, οπουδήποτε στον κόσμο – κάτι που το γνωρίζουν, πρώτοι όλων, οι αμερικανοί συνεργάτες του."
Comfort food grooves are served by the organ trio collection of Nestor Dimopoulos/g, Evgenia Karlafti/org and Vagelis Kotzabasis on the hopping set of mostly originals. Hip pulses are in abundance with Dimopoulos’ guitar gliding like vintage Grant Green on hummers like “Korean Apartment” and the gently swinging “A Day In The Park”. Kotzabasis supplies a funky back beat and Karlafti is accompanied here on Fun Island” and the snappy “Around The World” by pianist Kym Purling, while she pulls out all the stomps as she gets into a churchy mood on “Freeland”. Henry’ Gergen’s trumpet adds to the boogaloo mood of “Appointment In Athens”, with the overall mood reminiscent of vintage ideas with Grant Green and Larry Young. A hip hugger!
..."this Athenian trio who are well-versed in the tradition laying down a funky groove that nods as much to Philly or Detroit as it does the Greek Capital.
Seven originals co-composed by Dimopoulos and Karlafti as well as a lesser known Burt Bacharach tune, My Little Red Book, make for a selection of danceable tracks. Around the World isn't the Victor Young tune that Buddy Greco and Matt Monro charted with but a catchy original that, to my ears is far superior. In fact all of the numbers are so catchy that I got the feeling that I knew them almost as soon as I heard them!"
