VARIOUS ARTISTS - JAZZ IN RIGA, Vol.1 (Live at the M/Darbnīca, Latvia, 2022/2023) (2023) [Hi-Res]

The burgeoning Latvian jazz scene is captured at Riga's famous jazz venue and cultural centre M/Darbnīca. 13 concerts recorded live, all-analogue and direct-to-tape, from August 2022 to January 2023 showcases who is who in Latvian jazz today.

This is the first compilation album in the Jersika Records catalogue, as well as jazz venue M/Darbnīca's first double-album. Already when I founded my publishing company in 2017, there was a feeling that a kind of jazz Renaissance was taking place in Latvia. Jazz concerts were happening more often at various concert venues and local houses. The musicians themselves became more prominent, many of whom had returned from their studies abroad. The achievement of the Latvian Academy of Music Jazz class was noticeable. During this time the jazz scene has become even more prominent in Latvia.

The idea for such a compilation came to Maija and I in the summer heat of 2022 when, after an excellent concert by guitarist Matiss Cudars' Trio at M/Darbnīca, we were discussing how, to use Prof. Indrikis Veitners phrase, only recordings remain. We talked about how interesting and exciting it would be to hear, for example, the music played at the first Latvian jazz festival, KIKOK 1962, or what was played at the Riga jazz clubs “Allegro” in the 70's or “Hamlets” in the 90's, if only someone had recorded and released it. And so, it seems the very next week we made a concert recording of saxophonist Karlis Vanags' Trio at M/Darbnīca. It was the first of a total of thirteen concerts to be recorded under the direction of sound director Martins Krastins between August 2022 and January 2023. We set up a small recording studio room in the backstage area at M/Darbnīca and recorded, as is customary at Jersika Records, completely analogue, on magnetic tape.

You can hear very exciting and varied contemporary jazz music on the four sides of this double vinyl album. Stylistically, we can hear both post-bop and neo-bop, spiritual and electric jazz, experimental as well as avant-garde jazz and free improvisation, funk and even bluegrass colours. All the pieces are original music performed by the most notable Latvian jazz musicians of the moment, who also include their friends and classmates from other countries in their performances. This compilation's final piece, Hope, is performed by Double Yuriy Trio. Latvian drummer Ivars Arutjunjans' collaboration with two great Ukrainian musicians - pianist Yuriy Seredin and double bassist Yuriy Natsvlishvili. Hope is like a ray of light, it is the belief in everything good and bright. Let the music invigorate us and for Ukraine to achieve victory, which is so important to all of us today!

Thank you to all the musicians and listeners! Thank you to Maija and best wishes on the three year anniversary of M/Darbnīca! Thank you to Martins for making these records sound so great! Thank you to the State Culture Capital Foundation for your support. Keep a lookout for LIVE AT THE M/DARBNĪCA vol.2!

Tracklist:
1.01 - KĀRLIS AUZIŅŠ TRIO - Folk Song (Live) (12:12)
1.02 - KĀRLIS VANAGS TRIO - The Concept Of Truth (Live) (8:59)
1.03 - PAULS POKRATNIEKS QUARTET - The End Is The Beginning (Live) (5:35)
1.04 - LĪVA DUMPE SEXTET - Compromise (Live) (8:06)
1.05 - ALISE GOLOVACKA'S ORBITRONS - The Big Dripper (Live) (11:19)
1.06 - M.A.S.A - Prayer (Live) (6:27)
1.07 - Lupa - Elvis (Live) (6:34)
1.08 - Atis Andersons Organ Trio - Variation 1 (Live) (8:31)
1.09 - Miķelis Dzenuška & UZVARAS BULVĀRIS - Five Miles High (Live) (7:28)
1.10 - VADIMS DMITRIJEVS QUINTET - Integration (Live) (7:24)
1.11 - Matīss Čudars Trio - Medus Bauska (Live) (5:49)
1.12 - Vestard Shimkus / Endless Roar - VI (Live) (3:46)
1.13 - DOUBLE YURIY TRIO - Hope (Live) (9:31)