Treading Water - Avgenicos Brothers
Treading Waters is a joint project led by Sydney brothers, Tom and Michael Avgenicos, both of whom I don’t know personally but have heard word of their talents floating around the Melbourne music scene for years. However, on first sight of the album, I became slightly nervous… there was something a bit too slick about the whole thing. Perhaps I’m leaning into my preconceived notions about Sydney-siders, and in doing so saying more about my Melbourne hipster ideals, but I’m a little allergic to things that have any kind of commercial slickness. I’m the sort of listener who can get a bit bored of music that sounds too good. I like music that takes risks and isn’t afraid to be challenging or ugly if it is saying something in the process. But after actually listening to the music (always a good idea!), my Melbourne hipster anxieties were alleviated, and I was thrilled to find a collection of songs that were daring and crafted with meticulous attention to detail. Melbourne-rs, fear not, this music is the real deal!
It’s immediately apparent that each musician in the band is clearly in total command of their instrument and improvisational language. However, rather than making music that simply exhibits their technical prowess and virtuosity, they play in a way that really serves the music. At no point does it feel indulgent or ego driven, there seems to be a collective agreement that the music and song comes first, with all efforts channelled towards this common goal. In turn, this enables the music to really groove and, throughout the record, the time feels amazing! Take the almost disco-esque quarter notes in Because She Said So as a case in point. On paper, this groove is terrifyingly simple but in the hands of these musicians, it comes to life. Throughout, the drums and bass play right in the pocket, a restrained fill marking the passing of the baton between soloists every eight bars. This allows Tom and Michael to really dig into the sixteenth notes, coming from deep within the rhythm section, all whilst bouncing musical ideas between each other. There is a real sense of precision when it comes to the time feel on this record and all musicians take great care with the placement of even the simplest of rhythmic figures. There is no sloppy, out of time playing here and the music seems to relish in its exactitude.
But what is so special about this music is that, despite the immense precision and attention to detail which can so often stifle the character of the music and make it feel a bit machine-like, the playing still feels warm and genuine. I mark this down to the way each player has really developed their own personal sound and touch, shaping the timbre to suit the musical context and take on a character entirely its own. For instance, the first track, Toy Boy opens with a swirly, textural intro, the trumpet’s dark sound blending with the brightness of the cascading piano. But as the rhythm section kicks in, the trumpet breaks into a searing, high-wire solo filled with death defying intervallic leaps that has more than a hint of Ambrose Akinmusire’s influence (is there a loftier comparison in modern jazz? I think not!). Compare this to the direct and clear trumpet sound on the track Surely Not, and you can hear the control and care that goes into shaping the sound to suit the musical situation.
It has been an absolute joy listening to the way the bass and drums play together on this record. Firstly, it’s SO refreshing to hear some really musical electric bass playing, fully content to play the role of the bass in a thrillingly simple way that allows the music to breathe. Couple this with some really tasteful playing by Alex who, after seeing him play in Melbourne a few times, has chops to spare on this outing. There is a maturity to this way of playing, filled with restraint and control, that makes the music what it is. Even in situations where this could come unstuck, like in the changing 5/8 grooves of Steady, the bass and drums support the music deftly, accompanying one hell of a tenor solo!
If you like contemporary jazz that is creative, carefully constructed and seriously groovy then I’m sure you will love Treading Waters. And if you buy it on Bandcamp today (who are, for the next 24 hours, generously waiving their modest operating fees), all of the money will go directly to the artists!
You can (and should) buy Treading Water on Bandcamp here. You can also find out more about them at Facebook and Instagram or Tom at his website here.