JANKO NILOVIC Vinyl & CDs

Review: Janko Nilovic's Rythmes Contemporains (aka "Giant") is a cinematic masterpiece, long-awaited and worth the anticipation. Nilovic assembled 45 musicians for this monumental session, resulting in a collection that transcends the typical "library music" label. The album spans lush pop, big band, fusion, and beyond, embodying the essence of the exotica genre. Featuring horns, a funk-influenced rhythm section, strings, flute, electric guitar, piano, and a wordless choir, the music exudes a riveting restlessness. The compositions and arrangements shine with harmony, melody, and unexpected shifts in mood and direction. The sound quality and musicianship are impeccable. Rythmes Contemporains opens with 'Black on a White Ground,' combining driving beats and rave-like percussion with a film score-like sensibility. 'Mouvements Aquatiles' is brief yet beautiful, while 'Underground Session' adds menace with dueling sax and guitar solos. The extended pieces 'Giant Locomotion' and 'Xenos Cosmos' stand out, especially the latter, which explores diverse musical terrains in a shorter span. For fans of exotica or those seeking a fusion of jazz and film scores, Rythmes Contemporains will be an exciting find.

Review: Underdog Records is continuing to reissue some of its most standout albums, and Janko Nilovic's Soul Impressions from 2015 certainly fits the bill. The Montenegrin-French composer and arranger, is a mad skilled keys and percussion man as well as singer and producer who was born in Turkey. He put out more than 35 albums from the late sixties onwards and this one is a raw fusion of prog rock, jazz, edgy funk, blues and east listening. It's unpredictable but hugely absorbing and comes pressed here on heavyweight vinyl.

Review: Broc Recordz's Cosmos Giants album is a celestial creation that stems from a monumental collaboration between Janko Nilovic, JJ Whitefield from Poets of Rhythm, and Igor Zhukovsky of the Soul Surfers. Together, they've sculpted a sonic world where genres meld seamlessly and offer a transformative auditory experience where funk, psyche, and soul all inform a jazz underbelly. The ensuing musical odyssey rather defies easy categorisation that is all about immersion in meticulously crafted tracks. From the laidback vibes of 'Inner Space' to the eerie and celestial melodies of '(Wind From) Mount Everest' this is a high-class record.

Review: Montenegrin-French composer, arranger, conductor, keyboardist, percussionist, vocalist and producer (nuff skills!) Janko Nilovic & The Soul Surfers have already turned our ears this year with a super 7" on Funk Night. Now they're back with another limited bit of 45rpm heat on Broc. Noth sides of this one makes for impossibly funky listening, with skilled instrumental solos getting deep under your skin and making you move. They are packed with charm and mark another noteworthy outing for this outfit.