Brass bollocks. here is a steeply original & richly formed adaption of the “traditional meets contemporary” merging.
the mad mob, an unlikely rabble of vociferous, boldly forward & wild motherfuckers from across South Korea, performing their highly distinctive & omniferous psychedelic rock, jazz fusion, free jazz, &, very importantly – 국악 <”gugak”> – traditional Korean music & compositional applications shot into the “Fusion” construct. They also acquire scores of traditional Korean instruments alongside their electrified contemporaries (electric guitar, electric bass & keyboards) such as the wax-shredding taepyeongso (Korean shrill trumpet) & a variety of Korean ethnic percussion (kkwaenggwari, jing, dingsha) standard brass – saxophones, trumpets – alongside congas, & full trap drums from the group’s founding member; 조석형 <Cho Seokyeong> (Ureuk).
Amazingly, some of the core members have been playing together since high-school, & the Gypsies otherwise welcome a wide & shifting squad of specialised drifters, ranging from seven-ten member formations.
Their live performances, which I have witnessed first hand, are supra-spirited, high-energy, & raucous affairs, with a keen grasp of multi-disciplinary aptitudes.
Spiralling & freewheeling psychedelic solo-shellac from the brilliant electric guitar player – 손희준 <Heejun Son> – bellowing & bridle-bucking brass scrimmage, & heated & ecstatic keyboard melt-off clamour with hard rock, wylin’ free jazz & clanging 사물놀이 <samul-nori> percussive syncopations courtesy of the brash 꽹과리 <kkwaenggwari>, which multiple members play. The tricky heterophonic structures direct & underscore the skeleton for numerous compositional coordinates, which the rest of the musicians converge on & ride-out in tandem. A tight musicianship is apparent, quite an accomplishment for a large group where all players need to adhere & keep time with the fluctuations & signatures (some of which are unconventional).
The wild & crescendoing nature, the contrasting & ripping solos, the paint-peeling screel of the taepyeongso, the sharp individual & group acumen holding the whole vehicle together, & the raucous & effervescent nature of the rowdy formula deliver a powerful & highly-flammable impact. There is a multivalence of distinctions that very clearly elevate this group beyond a quality fusion/psyche rock throwback band beyond the gugak ingredient. The premiership of some of the key players, the authenticity, drive & passion, & the raw & unpalatable swag that’s pouring out of them & their loud yet highly-skilled hubbub is decidedly distinctive.
The three tracks on this debut cassette EP album – 풍류– do a great job of showcasing The Gypsies, but for certain, the power & energy they exert during live shows is not fully conveyed or captured here. It is no easy task for a recording engineer to convey & transact the full energies & multi-phonic mayhem of such an ensemble in a studio recording, despite this album making a valiant effort & delivering a great result.
An exciting & unusual gang of maniacs.
2025, Helicopter Records