Triobrok is a Balkan outfit that combines the energy of punk, the urgency of improvisation and the transcendence of post-Coltrane free jazz. And I really like it!
Consisting of Ali Onur Ogun on tenor saxophone, Daniel Izmaylov on double and electric bass and Atilla Ozan Keskin on the drums. On the second track, the lovingly titled “Low Profile Rich People”, Marko Stricevic plays electric guitar. They channel raw energy, combining elements of the aforementioned musics, but never stick to then or try to stand behind one musical label. Quite the contrary I strongly believe, as they openly try (or cry through their respected instruments…) to deconstruct all labels.
Their music is certainly aggressive and if I had to nag about something for this fine recording, it would be that the sheer volume of the two so satisfying tracks (clocking just over forty minutes) sometimes saturate their capacity to improvise. On the other side of things, I fantasize about catching them live. It would be a blast for sure.
Covering the distance between Istanbul and Belgrade, the geography and their Balkan roots play a role (even though, on a first level, this isn’t a thing to expect). Generalizing a bit, our shared Balkan experiences, past and present, have always been about fierce, joyful, trancelike music that generates, more often than not, extreme feelings.
In bandcamp’s notes there is a passage that declares –I’m putting my explanation of it here- their playing as something that “felt right” for them in that time and place. I strongly believe that this is the key to understand but, more importantly, to feel their music. Triobrok engulfs the absolute urgency of now, as any great music should, playing as if it is the last time and delivering an organized chaos of many sonic possibilities. Certainly one of the best releases for 2025 so far for me.
Listen here:
@koultouranafigo
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