The fact that all forms of soul and R&B can come from any corner of the world these days is a normal occurrence, and the only thing that distinguishes it is whether it is any good or not.
So it is no strange thing that Mörk (pronounced Merk), an excellent soul/R&B/funk/jazz quartet from Budapest, Hungary has just released Astral Visions, a four-song EP that bristles with inspirational sounds that cross musical boundaries.
Taking a cue, both with the title and the music within from one of the soul/spiritual jazz innovators, Lonnie Liston Smith, this quartet (Mark Zentai – guitar, vocals, Jason Balint Szeifert – bass, guitar, Daniel Ferenc Szabo – drums, and Damján Ocsovay – keys) have sussed the essence of soul/spiritual jazz with four compositions that show more than just promise, throwing in elements from elsewhere, and not only just for good measure.
The high quality of playing possibly stems from the fact that the members met as young jazz students, but also from the fact that they decided to present it literally anywhere – from living rooms to kindergartens.
The result is an excellent, varied set that raises expectations that Mörk can come up with something even more substantial in the time to come.
