Blue Note in Greece?, Well it could be as Yako Trio presents thier new album 'Woven' with special guests Harris Lambrakis and James Wylie.
Well, we're having quite a 'Greek Week' at YATM after the experimental / improvisational Victor Tsilimparis, George Palamiotis, Sotiris Tsolis album, 'The Persistence Of Doubt' (see review HERE) compared to this 'straight' jazz by the impeccable Yako Trio (so good that this could have been recorded at the Van Gelder Studios in the 60s or released on Impulse!) with James Wylie (alto and tenor saxophones) and ethnomusicolgy doctorate, Harris Lambrakis (on ney).
There's something of Horace Silver Trio about this when Leandros Pasias is on piano and then on electric keys ('Klountzoa') we drift into a fusion, not fully 'Lonnie Liston Smith', but it leans that way with the excellent Vangelis Vrachnos (double bass) and Giorgos Klountzos Chrysidis (drums) who are make the trio tight bop-post bop unit
Perhaps it's because the addition of Lambrakis you'd think we'd be fully on Yussef Lateef with Lambrakis playing the ney (an end-blown flute that figures prominently in traditional Persian, Turkish, Jewish, Arab and Egyptian Music) but it's definitely close at times, 'Sweet Lotus' at one extreme and 'Speaking Voice' at the other with 'Impromptu' in the middle.
Then, perhaps it's the additon of Wylie that weaves this album into something special? He's certainly a bit part of the seven tracks of "East meets West" jazz connection as a proper jazz quintet that play as one.
Very limited vinyl release on this one and great artwork to go alongside the LP so get on it quick.
BUY LINK / PRE-ORDER (Ltd Vinyl 300 ONLY):Yako Trio, Harris Lambrakis & James Wylie - Woven | FWF Records
Artwork & Design by Beetroot Design
Artist: Yako Trio, Harris Lambrakis & James Wylie
Title: Days
Release date: 5th December, 2025
Label: Fair Weather Friends Records
Catalog Number: TBC
Format: Vinyl / Digital / Bandcamp
