“Odd World” features compositions written by me (Dmitrii Sergheev) between 2019 and 2022. The material was inspired by world events - the Covid 19 pandemic, Russia’s war against Ukraine, my own life experiences. At the core of the album is the pondering on the odd time we are living in - so beautiful, yet so horrific. The title track is eponymous- Odd World.

There are song dedications on the album, such as Buba De(Song for my sons). It is about my cheerful and mischievous boys who keep brightening my life every day. Having them made me realize that children are probably the paramount component of every person’s life.

Journey To The Unknown is a requiem for the saxophonist Wayne Shorter who had a major influence on my vision of jazz. In fact, I regard the music on this album as impressionism. Each composition paints a picture and has a plot, which I and other musicians tried to convey.

To me, jazz as a music style is the most utterly honest method of interaction with the world around. While words can easily deceive, music is the ultimate litmus paper: if you put your soul into those notes, it will manifest itself and thus, the message will get across to the listener. There are songs on the album on inner spirituality. Orisha Olokun is a composition about the spirits of pure and deep waters, which is sort of an allegory of the depth of the soul.

There is no strict stylistics to the album, as a general notion. I used a wide variety of rhythms and time signatures typical for styles ranging from swing to rock. For example, Phantom Hesitation is a classic formula combining swing with the Latin rhythmic pulse.

The song called Edges is inspired by hip-hop culture. There are also compositions here whose subject matter is the society we live in. The tune Faces reflects the multiple faces that modern people have to “wear” - and you never know which one is genuine. Changes's always possible is about the inner battle with your own self. The composition Wooden People has a special meaning. It is the other title track, which conveys the idea that in recent times people and the society have gradually been turning into a gray mass with the same needs and goals and a total absence of the wish to dream and create. Sometimes such people (Wooden People) are in need of “a man with a torch”, a Prometheus, a bright and creative mind able to arouse the same emotions in those around, which he is experiencing, since the human is by principle and design of the Great Creator - a creator himself.

In short, I and the musicians who play with me did our best to express all that on this record. I’m hopeful that we pulled it off.

Sincerely yours, Dmitrii Sergheev

Released September 20,2023

Dmitrii Sergheev- Saxophone
Dennis Nazarov - Guitar
Nick Morozow - Bass
Anonymous Drummer- Drums

Recorded at MS Studio,Moldova,Chisinau 2023
Ion Catar- Recording Engineer,Mix and Master Engineer
Photo cedit:Roman Rybalev