Maria Manousaki - 2025 - Behind Closed Doors

(39:05; ΠΚmusic)






















Track list:
1. Anapolo 4:39
2. Behind Closed Doors 6:07
3. Introversion 5:38
4. Love Song 4:41
5. Dragonfly 6:29
6. Poni Tis Panayias 5:23
7. Departed 6:08

Line-up:
Maria Manousaki - violin
Dimitris Verdinoglou - piano
Michael Evdemon - bass
Alekos Roupas - percussion
with:
Christos Rafalides - vibraphone
Ziv Ravitz - drums
Andreas Polyzogopoulos - trumpet
Thomas Meleteas - oud
Stratis Skarakis - vocals
Petros Klampanis - bass
Kyriakos Stavrianoudakis - lute


According to the artist home page, Maria Manousaki is a mainly US based artist, but also an artist that appears to be at home on more of a globetrotting scale. But while her stated main residence is stated as being in the US, for my sake at least I do get the impression that this is an artist whose soul resides in Crete to a great extent. With numerous involvements in the cultural scene of Crete over a substantial amount of years. As a solo artist, Manousaki released her first album back in 2020. And five years later she is now ready with her third solo production "Behind Closed Doors", which was released through Greek label ΠΚmusic.

It is a dreamladen universe that is explored on this production, and an album where the impulses from world music and jazz combine in a most elegant manner, with some bits and pieces here and there that to my ears sounds like they have a bit more of a classical music origin than anything else. With the flowing and often ongoing piano motifs being the point of reference for this latter aspect.

The violin of Manousaki is if not always the primary lead instrument then at least the most dominant one as far as establishing a mood and atmosphere is concerned. As I understand the artist is something of a globetrotter, it is no surprise that the violin leads and support motifs she brings to the table tends to have a bit of an exotic tinge to them as well. While I'm not a person with a deep knowledge in the subject of folk music and world music, I do get the impression that there is a combination of elements at play here, where different traditions from different regions and time periods may well have been influential to create sounds subtly different to any one specific tradition. If that is a correct observation or merely an impression based on too limited knowledge is another matter entirely of course, but as a listener that is the impression I'm left with.

The piano gets some fine lead moments throughout too, and adding more character and diversity to the landscapes explored we get contributions from instrumentalists playing brass instruments, vibraphone, oud and lute. Each adding a distinct colour and feel to the compositions where they contribute.

One interesting song here is the song 'Poni Tis Panayias'. Whereas many of the other compositions exist inside of their own dreamladen mix of styles and elements, this careful and elegant cover is more of a careful and flowing jazz composition as far as the instruments go, but with vocals that due to tone and delivery for me at least came across as a striking folk or world music inspired element. As this is the only song featuring vocals, this song is a bit of an exception anyhow, but I was rather intrigued by the contrast between the instruments and the vocals on this one due to this contrast in associations.

I should also note that the second song here that is a cover, 'Love Song', is a take on this song that presumably will be a little bit of a surprise to any fans of The Cure that should choose to listen to it. This is also the one song on the album with more drive, flow and momentum than any of the others, with a more firm character to boot, but still very much a natural part and partner to the original compositions here in sound, mood and atmosphere.

Those who love and treasure the more elegant, flowing and dreamladen aspects of the jazz universe that is mainly instrumental in form and with a liberal influx of exotic moods, atmospheres and sounds from various world music traditions will find a lot to enjoy on this most recent solo album by Maria Manousaki. A tasteful, elegant and solid creation that showcase how effective a subtle and careful approach and execution is in terms of making compelling and memorable music.

Olav M. Björnsen, April 2025

Links:
https://mariamanousaki.com/
https://www.pkmusik.com/

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