Jazz

In my latest review of Danish drummer Antonio Dayyani’s 2024 album “Trop On,” I highlighted the coherency and lightness of the compositions. In early October of this year, April Records released another work by this young and talented musician and composer. The album “Organisme” is as colorful as Denmark’s most famous building block set; it is just as versatile, and just as with building with blocks, this recording won’t let you go until the last piece of the puzzle is in place and the whole picture is revealed.

To a certain extent, this is also a description of the nature of an organism, which functions as it should only when its individual parts are properly coordinated, when homeostasis is achieved, and when vital functions show no alarming signs of pathology. Unlike “Trop On” one senses that the organism of this album is somewhat more energetic. A parallel might be drawn to a child eagerly discovering the world around them. The structure of the album “Organisme” consists of recordings of seven tracks from three sessions at The Village Recording, Medley Studios, and Jazzhus Montmartre in Copenhagen. One can sense in them the joy of making music together, along with the spontaneity and carefree spirit that come with it. This does not mean the result is trivial; the musicians who participated in each recording session are far too professional, and the composer himself is a skilled strategist, to make the mistake of presenting a half-baked product.

In the opening track, En lykkelig organisme (which translates to A Happy Organism), we hear a cheerfully relaxed vocal performance that matches the song’s title, but the very next track, Roots removed, replaced, confirms that even play is not merely a trivial leisure activity, but that its formative effects are indispensable to the development of every organism. The well-thought-out and modern-sounding structures are ingeniously composed of both chamber and larger instrumental ensembles. Intimate moments with sensitive modal atmospheres are elegantly dramatized by bold harmonies that push forward with the help of trumpet and electronic instruments.

The album’s diversity is neither an extravagant fashion fad nor a display of anything in particular: it is a celebration of the joy of playing and creating soundtracks. These individual elements work together so that the sonic organism is not only viable but also—through its presence in the portfolio of an established label—is more than just a token addition. After the first few tracks, you’ll want to know what the result will be—that is, what the true form of this organism is. And I can tell you that, just as a good puzzle always inspires new creations, with every new listen to this album you’ll discover a new, delightful aspect of Antonio Dayyani’s musical work.

Antonio Dayyani: drums, vocals

Harald Hagelskjaær: double bass

Andrea Maagaard: piano

Cahlo Heyman Krill: acoustic and electric guitar

Magnus Munk Tækker: pedal steel guitar

Jon Askjær: trumpet/flugelhorn

Malina Midera: piano

Kristoffer Jessen: vocals

Samira Dayyani: cello

Tue Lautrup: violin