For those not in the know, the Adrabesa Quartet consists of four exceptional musicians, brought together by its long-standing founder and leader: composer and saxophonist, Vasko Atanasovski.

Vasko is a well known and established European maestro, having collaborated with renowned musicians such as Hindi Zahra, Vlatko Stefanovski, and Living Color, among a celebrated career.

His masterful, unpretentious approach to his instrument has seen him embrace a host of diverse genres, exhibiting a fluency and grace which compliments any musical setting.

The quartet's musicians are among the leading virtuoso instrumentalists in the world. Simone Zanchini is an Italian accordionist, who has been collaborating with Vasko since the early part of this new millennium. (Indeed, Simone is the only founding member still with Vasko since the Adrabesa Quartet's initial incarnation, back in 2005).

With the two having collaborated on numerous albums and concerts, Zanchini's advanced musical stylings are a superb compliment to Atanasovski's polished melodic sensibilities.

The Adrabesa Quartet's tuba player, Michel Godard, hails from France. Michel has enjoyed a distinguished career: one which has seen him work with many great artists, including Kenny Wheeler, Ray Anderson, Michel Portal, Louis Sclavis, Henry Texier, and many others.

The unit's fourth, and newest member – who plays percussion and Indian tabla drums – is Bodek Janke and he currently resides in Poland.

Compiling a collection of pieces as quirky and unconventional as the quartet's instrumentation (sax, accordion, tuba and percussion), their brand new album Phoenix stands as a shimmering testimony to both their considerable individual talents and corporate inventiveness.

1. 'Meeting' (4:38)
2. 'Green Nymph' (6:36)
3. 'The Partisan Song' (3:58)
4. 'Liberation' (11:18)
5. 'Balet' (3:35)
6. 'Concerto Epico' (7:31)
7. 'Thornica' (6:14)
8. 'Yellow Sky' (3:20)
9. 'Outro' (3:44)

Inspired by some divergent musical roots - combined with a sense of nostalgia and genuine passion for their craft - the aptly titled album signifies the rebirth of a unit with a long-standing reputation for creative excellence across Eastern Europe.

Opening with the gentle coming together of all the players, 'Meeting' suddenly burst into wondrous, colorful life and leads us lovingly by the hand into what is to come.

The restrained, passively ornate beauty of 'Green Nymph' is backed by the upbeat wonderment of spirit found within 'The Partisan Song' which is itself followed by Atanasovski's free flowing flute work on the breathless 'Liberation' and then we get one of my own personal favorites, the deliciously funky 'Balet.'

The high-energy of the quartet is captured perfectly within the frenetic 'Concerto Epico' which is backed by the cultured 'Thornica,' the refined elegance of 'Yellow Sky,' with the album coming to a close on the atmospheric 'Outro.'

VASKO ATANASOVSKI - alto & soprano saxophone, flute (Slovenia)
SIMONE ZANCHINI - accordion (Italy)
MICHEL GODARD - tuba, serpent (France)
BODEK JANKE - drums & tabla (Poland/Germany)
Special Guest: ARIEL VEI ATANASOVSKI - cello (Slovenia)

Official Purchase Link