Mekbuda, translated from Arabic is the "lion's folded paw" as well as a star in the constellation of Gemini and in this case Russia's preeminent entry into the burgeoning contemporary jazz scene with their debut album Convincing Delusional. Residing on the spacier and cosmic side of the jazz spectrum, the quartet consists of Roman Zyryanov on drums, Dmitry Rubanov on bass, Alex Petrov on Rhodes and keys, rounded out by Igor Shilov on trumpet. Informed by the UK's jazz and electronic scene, spiritual and modal jazz, along with ambient and a tinge of hip-hop, Mekbuda's sound is a heady brew of instrumental soundscapes. The 6-track album seamlessly crescendoes from uptempo drum and bass to dubbed out rhythmic excursions, all layered within a brooding and hypnotic atmosphere.
