DUSKO GOYKOVICH - In my Dreams (2001) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

This is a dreamy little set from Duško Gojković, one that focuses on his overlooked talents for laidback ballads, as one might guess from the cover and title. Dedicated mostly to soft ballad moods, In My Dreams combines Gojković’s warm and melancholy playing with the somewhat modernistic and angular approach of astonishing, but largely overlooked American pianist Bob Degen, known for his work with Art Farmer, Dexter Gordon, Paul Motian, Albert Mangelsdorff, Buddy DeFranco and Heinz Sauer. This thrillingly unusual team is completed by Isla Eckinger, one of Europe’s most prolific bass players, and young American drummer Jarrod Cagwin who can make even complex rhythms sound simple and natural as he proves in Rabih Abou-Khalil’s band. There are nine selections, six of which are originals by Gojković, one by the pianist (Degen’s famous and lovely “Sequoia Song”), and the remaining two by the great Hoagy Carmichael. Gojković plays both trumpet and flugelhorn here, often with this spacious approach to soloing that is not unlike Art Farmer at his best, a really great way of shaping the notes carefully, then letting them hang in air over gentle rhythms from the band. As he approached 70, Gojković has acquired a philosophical stance that comes here strongly through tracks like “St. Germain de Prés” and on the gently melancholy “Skylark.” There is a lovely sort of balance to the record, three of these are slow and moody, three are brighter and faster and three are very much ballads; to fully appreciate it, listeners should listen to the whole album. The trumpeter shines brightly on this quartet recording, which is an intense and intimate chapter in Gojković’s career—great art, mellow moods, and refined styling, although as an album in whole, perhaps, a little one-dimensional. by Slobodan Mihajlović
Tracklist:
1 In My Dreams 7:26

Written-By – Dusko Goykovich

2 St. Germain de Pres 6:50
Written-By – Dusko Goykovich
3 Sequoia Song 4:11
Written-By – Bob Degen
4 Introduction 4:57
Written-By – Dusko Goykovich
5 Skylark 7:59
Written-By – Hoagy Carmichael
6 One Morning In My 5:17
Written-By – Hoagy Carmichael
7 All My Love - Piano Trio Version 4:23
Written-By – Dusko Goykovich
8 Little Theo 5:11
Written-By – Dusko Goykovich
9 I Miss You So 7:30
Written-By – Dusko Goykovich
10 Ballad For Belgrade 5:46
Written-By – Dusko Goykovich
11 All My Love - Quartet Version 4:09
Written-By – Dusko Goykovich
Credits:
Bass – Isla Eckinger
Drums – Jarrod Cagwin
Piano – Bob Degen
Trumpet, Flugelhorn – Dusko Goykovich