Viktor Haraszti – Equanimity – CD Review

Plastic – CD

Surface noise: N/A

Dynamic Range: 4+

Stereo Imaging: 4+

Image depth/perspective: 4-

Overall frequency response: 4+

Please see here for my comments on reviewing albums.

Track List:

1. Intro
2. Chapter One
3. Chapter Two
4. Chapter Three
5. Chapter Four
6. Chapter Five
7. Chapter Six
8. Chapter Seven
9. Epilogue (for Blue)

Line Up:

• Viktor Haraszti – Tenor Saxophone, Electric Wind Instrument(EWI), Clarinet, Flute & Bansuri, Keyboard, TC-Performer (synthesizer), Vocal
• Special guests:
  • Lisa Marie Simmons – Voice: T2,T4 & T5
  • Dave King – Drums: T3
  • Marshall Curtly – Finger drums: T4 & T5 and Electric drums & Percussion: T6

Promotional video (Youtube): ViO – Equanimity: A Futuristic Jazz Tale

Background:

Hungarian born, multi-instrumentalist Viktor Haraszti is a saxophonist, producer, song writer, sound engineer and music teacher with more than 16 years’ experience in teaching saxophones and the clarinet.

Equanimity is a one-man project in which Viktor took care of the compositions, performance, and production. The album transcends the experimental approach and conveys the repertory toward the electronic and futuristic style, with deep melodies combined with sonic elements, and progressive fusion of rhythms. It is a Futuristic Jazz Tale in which Viktor expresses his duality (chaos/surviving) in these disordered times, unfolding a personal journey (Chapter by Chapter), to reach the climax and finally an enigmatic conclusion.

This first studio album was recorded, mixed and mastered by Viktor Haraszti at his home studio, ViOMusic, Utrecht, Netherlands. It was released on 12th December 2021 on the ViOMusic label.

Musicianship and voice were clean and tight providing an enjoyable and entertaining performance. Stereo imaging was generally solid with various levels of reverb and echo added to enhance the image depth that was rather shallow as the recording used panned stereo to place the performers into the stereo image. What was interesting was that the breadth of image extended well outside my speakers particularly on the left hand side, were the image was well left and forward of the speaker. This effect whether purposeful or not widened the image beyond my physical walls. This is not a highly dynamic mix, it showed no obvious signs of compression, and there was no significant audible noise floor or hum present.

The lineup placed the kit(s) slightly back centrally between my speakers from left to right of center. Sax and clarinet were generally dead center sitting just in-front of the kit, however the sax also appears in/towards the left and right hand speakers at times. Keyboards/synth (strings, piano etc.) filled out a significant part of the image their full sound and many of their effects appearing just behind the kit, except the “piano” that appeared in front of the kit, all imaging from mid-left to mid-right. The bass line remained dead center in the same plane as the other instruments with the spoken word being front and dead center except on T4, where it moves to right of center. There are numerous electronic effects used like chimes, hand claps and congas etc. that fill the image out. The musical style added various musical effects, instruments and sound effects within the track, so images are not particularly consistent from track to track.

All solos/breaks are preformed by Viktor and Lisa, with Viktor’s sax, clarinet and EWI and Lisa’s spoken word often leading the mix. There are no other solos or significant breaks from the other musicians.

All instruments, acoustic and electronic, sounded very natural having plenty of detail, sparkle and openness. The tenor sax sounding mellow with a clean brassy edge, a little key, wind and reed noise were noted that helped increase its presence, just managing to make an “appearance” in my room. The clarinet was warm and mellow and the flute open and airy.

Keyboards and other background accompaniments were set just behind the kit, filling out the overall soundstage and image. Sounds were generally smooth and warm in nature with good clarity.

The kit/percussive sounds are a mix of an acoustic kit on T3 only, and electronic/sampled drums and percussive instruments on all other tracks. None carried too much reverb detail. All created solid imaging from left to midway right with a shallow setback. The toms were quite tight creating a well damped hollow ring. The kick drums varied between a solid well damped deep thud with occasional beater noise to a deep muffled dry thud. The snares had a short well damped ring, detailed brush work and provided a few impactful rim shots. Cymbals and hi-hat were detailed, bright and clean having a pleasing brassy ring with no signs of a hard edge. Other percussive elements were either created electronically or were actual instruments like the detailed shaker on T6.

The electronic bass line was always dead center, never getting lost in the mix and occasionally popping to its front. I assume it was created by a keyboard or synthesizer being deep and solid and really showing itself on T4 and T5.

Spoken word on T2, T4 and T5, showed no restrictions to the dynamics of Lisa’s voice that was very natural, having good annunciation and little undue emphasis on any part of her voice, creating a mellow and warm tone. Her miking never accentuating any sibilance. Lisa’s vocal presence was good, just managing to make an “appearance” in my room. Other vocal backing parts were noted on T4 and T8 which I assume were Victors.

While not exactly my usual listening diet, this Futuristic/Avantgarde Jazz style makes for an interesting listen and I found it growing on me the longer I listened to it. Even the promotional video made for a good watch, introducing Viktor’s Futuristic approach. All tracks are well recorded and musically well performed, providing solid performances by all musicians. A complicated musical style, but from new jazz fans to prog-rock followers I am sure that many will enjoy this Futuristic album.

Playback note: Reviewed using my Denon DBP A100 over Denon Link 3. Speakers; a stereo pair of Genelec 1038’s and four SVS subs.

Disclosure: This CD was provided by ViOMusic for my review. No financial compensation was provided.

For more information visit ViOMusic

Purchase the CD/download from Bandcamp or download from iTunes.