Àbáse: awakening
Francisco Espregueira
Szabolcs Bognár, the driving force behind Àbáse, has poured his life experiences into his latest creation, Awakening, on Oshu Records. This new album marks a rebirth for Àbáse, a move away from the meticulous post-production of his previous work, Laroyê, and towards a more live, improvisational approach. inspired by John Coltrane's classic quartet recordings and fueled by a desire for authenticity, Bognár assembled a close-knit group of talented collaborators and recorded this mesmerizing 12-tracks project in just four days at Berlin's Brewery Studios. The resulting album is a stunning tapestry of influences, weaving together classic Lagos Afrobeat, Hungarian folk, Yoruba rhythms, and even house and techno.
Awakening isn't just about genre-bending grooves, though (and there are plenty of those). It's a deeply personal exploration of the cyclical nature of life, loss, and spiritual awakening. Recurrent melodies and beautifully reimagined Hungarian folk songs add emotional depth, creating a perfect balance between beauty and tension. Àbáse joins a long line of artists who have used "Awakening" as a title, but Bognár's take feels particularly fitting. It's a tribute to the path laid by his predecessors and a powerful testament to his own creative rebirth. Available on vinyl, this is a collector’s piece to enjoy and revisit.
Fanni Zahár, flute, alto saxophone, background vocals
Ori Jacobson, tenor saxophone, sopran saxophone
Szabolcs Bognár, piano, Fender Rhodes, Clavinet, Roland SH2000, Moog Sub37, Prophet Rev2
Eric Owusu, percussion, vocals
Ernő Hock, double bass
Andras Koroknay, bass guitar, Moog Minimoog, modular synth
Ziggy Zeitgeist, drums
With Special Guests:
Flóra Bognár, vocals (B1)
Youka Snell, violin (A2, B1, B2, C1)
Cecil Brooks, trumpet, vocals (D1)
Knoel Scott, baritone & alt saxophone, vocals (D1)
Dumama, background vocals (B3)
Rhea Sodemann, background vocals (A2, A3, B3, D3)
Wayne Snow, background vocals (B3)