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about this album
Austrian Syndicate… the phrase immediately brings to mind the best-known and most influential of all Austrians in jazz, Joe Zawinul. And yet David Helbock’s project is much more than just a homage to his compatriot. It is a return to the roots of fusion jazz and how things developed from then on. It is also a new direction stylistically for Helbock, who has harnessed a panoply of inspiration with a refreshing openness to new sounds from far and wide. As Helbock himself puts it: "This is close to my heart." Helbock has been able to enlist the best rhythm section in Austria for the Syndicate: Raphael Preuschl on bass and bass ukulele, drummer Herbert Pirker and percussionist Claudio Spieler. The quintet also has an American in it, one for whom becoming Austrian was a matter of choice: pianist Peter Madsen. This Austrian supergroup is also a place where Helbock’s stellar international guests shine brightly: Maria Joao, Fred Wesley, Dhafer Youssef, Alex Acuna and Lakecia Benjamin. Besetzung David Helbock / rhodes, synthesizers & effects Peter Madsen / piano Raphael Preuschl / bass & bass ukulele Herbert Pirker / drums Claudio Spieler / percussion Guests: Alex Acuña / percussion Lakecia Benjamin / saxophone Maria João / voice Fred Wesley / trombone Dhafer Youssef / voice Produced by David Helbock Recorded by Werner Angerer at Wavegarden Studios, Mitterretzbach, Austria, February 26 & 27, 2023 Mixed by Werner Angerer in Vienna, April 2023 Mastered by Klaus Scheuermann in Berlin
