POTAMOS (Aesthetiko Music Collective) (2025)

Thanks to Steve Young for making me aware of the Aesthetiko Music Collective (whose mission statement is to make “a sound of musical creation and search” and turn sound into beauty that takes you on a journey), and of Potamos in particular, a group of five improvisers.

‘And Peace’ starts off as a gradual contemplative introduction with electric guitar (Vironas Ntolas) and ney (an end blown flute dating back 4.5 thousand years to Ancient Egypt, played by Harris Lambrakis) before Gilad Atzmon (who has been a member of The Blockheads, collaborated with Robert Wyatt and played on Pink Foyd’s 2014 album “The Endless River”) defines a haunting melody on sax, a clean fluid guitar break and some non-obtrusive but very important double bass (Xrisostomos Boukalis) follow, the guitar echoed by the other lead instruments, a ‘plot device’ used by Potamos at various points in the album. ‘Genesis’ combines flute with sax to great effect, a memorable guitar melody appears, a lachrymose mood (briefly) then a more upbeat reprise of the memorable melody referred to earlier played on. sax this time. The role of drums and double bass stand out on ‘Harmony’, the percussionist flashing in and out with some subtle cymbal work, the double bass busy and articulate, the sax playing a classic jazz melody and a refined solo; the space created, for example, when just guitar and a solitary cymbal are heard, are part of the genius of a music that once again uses the ‘plot device’ so that the original melody is refrained, echoed by flute and complimented by guitar; a clever composition. ‘The Wisdom’ is the final piece. Sustained flute notes, more classic jazz guitar becoming quite rocky in places as the music gets into a sinuous groove.

I really enjoyed listening to this album and am seeking more information on the Aesthetiko Music Collective and where to listen to the music.