ADVENTURES AT THE BABOOINUMFEST 2017

If you're looking for some engaging, contemplative, slow-moving space jams, you've come to the right place. I was unfamiliar with the Rozmainsky & Mikhaylov Project until they approached me and asked me to review their latest release, "Adventures at the Babooinumfest 2017". Many of the tracks on this album (1-4, 8-9) are live adaptations from their studio release "For the Light", while others (5-7, 10-11) appear to be new or on-the-spot improvisations. All tracks were recorded live at three Babooinumfest shows in 2017 (in Saint Petersburg and Vladimir).

The album clearly has lots of improvisational elements to it, so much so that I might be inclined say it was released by the Russian equivalent of Oresund Space Collective. The tracks are low-energy, slow (typically 70-80 BPM), un-intrusive, contemplative grooves with few melodic elements that would incline the listener to hum along or play air guitar. Nothing here will jolt the listener, but there is enough forward-leaning groove to keep you engaged, and the musicianship is first rate. It's a good album for an afternoon of daydreaming while basking in the dappled sunlight illuminating a comfy hammock on the banks of a lazy river. My only complaint is that the tracks are all fairly short -- 6 minutes or less, except for the final track which clocks in at nearly 7 minutes. For a live album, the recording quality is top-notch. You would not know it was live until the applause kicks in at the end of each track. The final two tracks, for me, are the best on the album. They appear to be new pieces, so I'm looking forward to hear how this project evolves. A solid three stars.