An air of mystery surrounds this 55-minute album of instrumental jazz steeped in Greek tradition. Consisting of oudist, guitarist and composer Dimitris Jimmy Mahlis and drummer Toss Panos, the trio is rounded out by Dan Lutz on bass. Leading the way with his oud — a pear-shaped, lute-like stringed instrument considered an ancestor of the guitar and commonly used to play Greek music — Mahlis writes songs with flashes of reverb, syncopated rhythms and twang. And "Thalassa," a Greek traditional piece featuring a pretty arrangement by Mahlis, proves to be an enchanting closer for an album that rewards the focused listener.
Track Listing:
1) The Feeling of New
2) Protoleia
3) Sunday's Proposal
4) Blue Ballroom
5) Dimi's Kurdi
6) Interplanetary Kisses
7) Masqualero
8) Thalassa