Respecta.is - The Ultimate Hip Hop Portal

I'm not sure why this string quartet is not better known. Certainly fans of the Kronos Quartet or Turtle Island String Quartet would find much to enjoy in the invigorating music of Radio.String.Quartet.Vienna. But no dice... you need to add this CD to the growing list of exceptional releases on the ACT label that deserve better distribution and greater visibility. A year ago this group put out a brilliant recording of John McLaughlin compositions arranged for string quartet. This was one of the finest jazz CDs of 2007, but I see that it is still almost impossible to find in the U.S. and only available on Amazon.com as a $35 import. Now they follow up with an equally memorable project with guest artist Klaus Paier on accordion and bandoneon. Let's hope it finds a more receptive audience. This unusual combination of instrumental textures works well, with Paier giving some bite that counters the inherent fluidity of all string ensembles. Joe Zawinul's "A Remark You Made" is the perfect vehicle for this band. The musicians' shifts in dynamics, their free-flowing sense of time, and the arrangement by Paier all combine to create a touching tribute by a Viennese group to the most famous Viennese jazz artist.