Full Review

Janko Rašeta and Leander Widmoser, Elf Review

Janko Rašeta and Leander Widmoser are teaming up to bring us a fresh sound in the jazz fusion department. The two are releasing their second collaboration titled “Elf.” The Munich-based musicians Janko Rašeta (guitars, production) and Leander Widmoser (drums) are building something that combines their heritage with the linage of jazz. Rašeta has won over 30 prizes at important performance and composition competitions, most recently the European Guitar Award in Dresden, Germany (2016). He has regularly performed at concerts and music festivals all over Europe. Rašeta released his first album at ten-years-old. Rašeta holds a Master of Arts and a postgraduate degree in Music from the Universität Mozarteum in Salzburg, Austria. Widmoser is a drummer that has an extensive recording catalog. He has appeared at multiple festivals and concerts throughout Europe. Widmoser started the rhythmic journey at a very early age by playing on chairs and pots because he was inspired by his father (who is a musician). He is known for his work with Youth Okay, Aggressive Swans, and Signals From Theia.

Positives: Rašeta and Widmoser have created a composition that is interesting in both its sounds melodically and rhythmically.

Bottom Line: “Elf” follows the duet’s first collaboration called, “The Call,” released in 2019. “Elf” is a crossover composition that is centered around the 11/8 rhythms prevalent in the folk music of Macedonia and Serbia. The duet creates a form and melodic structure that flows in an approachable way that is defined by guitars, expressive drumming and sonic electronic experiments to add a pop flair. Rašeta adds expressive slides to the single note melody to add interest. Widmoser’s use of cymbal colors are vivid as the kit fills the space. The bridge is a call and response of various guitar sounds that build to Rašeta’s solo. Here the jazz influence can be heard in his articulations and use of chromatics. A stabbing rhythmic figure from the guitar serves as an anchor for Widmoser’s drum solo, which acts as a solid cadential figure for the composition. “Elf” is a fusion tune that builds interest in its sound and rhythmic qualities by two creative musicians exploring the many joys and possibilities of Music and cultures. That’s the short of it!