Exploring the musical dynamics between Danish folk music and jazz, Svaneborg Kardyb is a duo that can masterfully bend these genres into modern-day compositions that include elements of ambient, alternative, and more. There are ear-worm melodies in this music as well, such as Op (seen/heard here) which is from the duo’s latest LP, Over Tage (November 2022), and is a great introduction to their music, if, like Vodka, you have never heard of them before. Op is a wonderful, rhythmic tune that…
Read MoreVodka likes to expose all sorts of music, but honestly, it usually isn’t straight-up instrumental. There are several exceptions, Lydian Collective, Snarky Puppy, etc., but for the most part, the music that I cover here has lyrics. That seems to be shifting a bit over time. Perhaps because the quality of instrumental music itself has increased, or perhaps I’m just noticing it more these days. Enter Daniel Sherrill, whose traditional banjo compositions are beautiful and breathtaking. Fortune, (seen/heard here) is from Sherrill’s…
Read MoreLydian Collective is not new to Vodka, but I’m not-so-patiently waiting for the follow-up to the absolutely fabulous Adventure LP, named Return, due out in almost exactly one month (May 27, 2022). November (seen/heard here), which is not new compositionally to the band, will finally have a home on an LP, and that is a very good thing indeed! Vodka coined the phrase “joyful jazz” to define the music that Lydian Collective creates. In truth,…
Read MoreInstrumental music does not play a huge part on Vodka. Not unless it really stands out as something different and fun. Don’t get me wrong, I love instrumental music, but it has to be really something special to appear here. Enter Intro To Music Theory, and It’s An Attitude (heard here). I love this funky little bit of fun! Not only is it easy to dance to (Yeah, go ahead. Try to quit moving your feet and your head. I dare you!) but…
Read MoreIf you are unfamiliar with The Laszlo Project but know about the sound that Lydian Collective makes, then there will be an immediate connection to this music. The reason is that The Laszlo Project is the side project of Lydian Collective founder, Aaron Wheeler. He is joined here by Lydian Collective drummer, Sophie Alloway, Simon Joyner on trumpet, Michael Underwood on saxophone, and Phoebe Wright-Spinks, vocals. Phoebe uses her vocals as an instrument here and you will swear this is a 100% instrumental track! Like Lydian Collective’s music, The Laszlo…
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