SIPI BENEFIT CONCERT (FEAT. STEVE HACKETT)

First of all, this album has no relations with symphonic rock. It's pure jazz fusion with some folk elements. Second, this album should be placed under fusion band Djabe name more correctly. Steve Hackett is guest guitarist there.

But whenever hungarian band Djabe isn't included in PA list of bands, this album could be reviewed there.

I want to note, that the collaboration between Steve Hackett and Djabe has deep roots. They are playing together regularly and even had some common European tours ( last finished just this summer).

I know Djabe for years, they visited my country 2 or 3 times participating on different jazz fest.I was attracted by their intelligent fusion with hot elements of Balkan and Hungarian folk music.

In 2008 I visited beautiful Latvian resort town of Saulkrasti for local open-air festival just to see how Djabe plays with Hackett as guitarist ( and I spend all the weekend for that driving 350 km there and the same distance back).

Now-about music. Steve nere is more a member of the band than soloist. In fact all the band's music is well balanced sound of collective, not collection of solos. Don't expect experiments or complex constructions. The music is more simplistic,but pleasant and competent fusion mixed with some Balkan folk elements. Keyboards,brass and drums are sound basis.

Music is warm, pleasant, comfortable ( in some moments similar to Pat Metheny works). It's interesting, that some Djabe works without Hackett are much more jazzy and experimental!

This double CD recorded mostly during Djabe (feat. Steve Hackett) concert in Budapest organised for the memory of Djabe late percussionist Andras Sipos. Double DVD of that concert is available as well.

There are some videos from concert avalaible at Djabe band site. I can recommend Djabe other albums as well, few of them are really very strong! There are some songs for free download at band's site as well.