Ksenia Slobodian Quintet: Inner Vibrations
Review by Krzysztof Komorek
Ksenia Slobodian Quintet
Inner Vibrations
(self released, 2023)
Seven original compositions by pianist Kseniya Slobodian are featured on her debut album, recorded with the quartet she leads. Ukrainian musicians took part in the recording, including trumpet and flugelhorn player Yakiv Tsvietinskyi, one of the project leader's teachers. The ensemble was completed by tenor saxophonist Danylo Vinarikov and the rhythm section formed by drummer Ihor Pozhidaiev and bass guitarist Danylo Parshykov.
The entire album lasts forty minutes and is firmly set in the idiom of mainstream jazz. This is not surprising given that the pianist cites the work of artists such as Brad Mehldau, Fred Hersch and Maria Schneider as her inspirations. One of the tracks on "Inner Vibrations" is dedicated to the latter.
Catchy, attractive melodies and interesting arrangements are the strength of this album. The parts of the wind instruments, to which Ksenia Slobodian leaves a lot of room for solo show-offs, come off well. The leader herself also presents herself excellently as an instrumentalist. A very good album and worth watching, a new figure in the jazz world.