DESCRIPTION:
Buy CD here:

https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/jani-moders-brain-blender/id895724996

http://zkpprodaja.si21.com/en/Jazz/JANI_MODERS_BRAIN_BLENDER_ABACUS/

Label: ZKP RTV SLO/2014
Photo: Simon Pintar
Photo: Joze Pozrl

Jani Moder: guitars
Marko Crncec: rhodes
Robert Jukic: el. baby bass
Klemens Marktl: drums, percussion


JANI MODER’s BRAIN BLENDER project

Jani Moder: guitars
Marko Churnchetz: fender Rhodes, piano
Robert Jukic: el. “baby” bass
Klemens Marktl: drums, percussion
Optional:
Flip Philipp: vibraphone, marimba

Berklee College of Music graduate, Jani Moder has asserted himself as one of the leading Slovenian jazz musicians. Member of EMJO, European Movement Jazz Orchestra, the guitarist has worked with a number of acclaimed jazz musicians. Jani Moder has performed in Europe, USA and Africa and has recorded over 40 cd’s as a sideman. Following his debut album, Momentum, its sequel Sky High Low Down (with a highly prominent Hammond organ), Moder has now released his third album, Abacus, which “blends and blenders diverse musical contexts into a unique whole”. Moder overwhelms with mellow but also harsh sound and variegated arrangements ranging from intimistic abstractions to all but groovy odd-meter rhythms.

REVIEWS:

- Mario Batelic, review of performance and the 55th Ljubljana Jazz Festival in Krizanke.)

“The first to perform at the 55th Ljubljana Jazz Festival in Krizanke was the Slovenian-Austrian project Jani Moder’s Brain Blender led by Slovenian guitarist Jani Moder. The quintet played music from their latest album, Abacus (Moder’s third original release), which “blends and blenders diverse musical contexts into a unique whole”, if we cite the guitarist’s definition of the band’s sound as well as approach to various techniques and jazz styles. The beautifully harmonious group astounded with its elaborate collective interplay as well as vibrant solo passages, which all band members indulged in besides the leader.
With his strings, Moder dexterously steered the course of the playing and varied the intensity of the group’s sonic interaction. He would occasionally draw away and add colour to the backdrop by softly plucking his strings; his extended solo flights were invariably sensibly embedded into the flow of the music. The quintet astounded with the fluidity of its playing and rich assortment of moods, ranging from intimistic fluctuations and associations with fusion to scintillating, fiery funk and rock”. (Mario Batelic, review of performance and the 55th Ljubljana Jazz Festival in Krizanke.)

http://www.ljubljanajazz.si/index.php/en/gallery/21-root-en/gallery/85-jani-moder-s-brain-blender-2

- Henning Bolte, All About Jazz, review of the 55th Ljubljana Jazz festival

Jani Moder's Brain Blender, a Slovenian-Austrian combination led by Slovenian guitarist Moder, functioned as the musical festival opener at the big open air venue, Križanke. The band was comprised of well known Slovenian keyboardist Marko Črnčec, bassist Robert Jukic and Austrian percussionists Klemens Marktl on drums and Flip Philipp on marimba. Moder's music leaned to a more tranquil variant of fusion, often switching to a Pat Metheny-informed style of playing. Moder went into more contemplation modes as well as adopting a more incendiary approach to his solos, especially in the second half of the set. His band mates delivered some nice solos, too. The group finished its set with an Eastern- tinged piece, spinning out its beautiful melody. (HENNING BOLTE, DUTCH JAZZ CRITIC)

http://www.allaboutjazz.com/ljubljana-jazz-festival-2014-by-henning-bolte.php?page=1#.U-JWQ0JhifQ


- David Gilmore, New York City, 2012, liner notes in album Sky High Low Down

In the rich history of guitar-hammond B3 collaborations, one may think that there is not much left to discover and explore,
but Jani Moder doesn't think so. With the augmentation of alto and drums, he has put together a truly fantastic and energetic ensemble
that pushes the boundaries of this traditional configuration into the 21st Century.
With thought-provoking melodies, varied rhythms over odd-meters with metric modulations, and rich harmonic colors, the band floats
seamlessly through the often challenging tunes. From the waltz-like "Yellow", the upbeat and funky "Exhale", the introspective and
melancholy "A Little Prayer Would Help", and the mini-epic "Vile" with it's varied story-like sections, Jani's compositions have warmth, depth and variety.
Not only are they skillfully written and clever, but they also contain the most important ingredients in a guitar-organ combo - groove, feel and vibe!!!

Kudos to this wonderful musical gathering, and to the bright future of the wonderful Slovenian guitarist Jani Moder.

David Gilmore, New York City, 2012