SOKRATIS VOTSKOS QUARTET Vinyl & CDs

Review: Formed in 2017, the Sokratis Votskos Quartet is fast becoming one of the leading lights in Greek jazz. Later in the year they'll be releasing a brand new album on Jazzman, from which this tasty double A-side is taken. "Almopian Etude" is a veritable humid summer breeze of a track: a loose and languid fusion of spiritual piano motifs, languid double bass, bustling drums and alternately snaking and intoxicating horn solos. B-side "Sevenates" is an altogether funkier proposition, with cyclical saxophone motifs increasing in intensity over a jumpy, piano-driven rhythm track. It's not exactly jazz-funk, but it's certainly travelling in that direction. Either way, it's ace.

Review: "Sketching The Unknown" is a terrific name for an album, particularly for a deep modal jazz set that aims to draw maximum influence from "the folk and modal music of ancient Greece". We're not knowledgeable enough on Greek musical traditions to say whether or not saxophonist Sokratis Votskos and his quartet have successfully accomplished that aim, but we can confirm that "Sketching The Unknown" is superb. Brilliantly arranged, played and produced with surprises around every corner, it's one of the boldest and inventive jazz sets we've heard for some time. There's no fusion antics, sampled hip-hop beats or modern studio trickery, just five high quality jazz cuts that sound like they will last the test of time.