Third Eye/ Joe Haider/ Erich Festl – Focus Jazz Sampler

This 12″ makes it a Sonar Kollektiv hat-trick for the track “Macedonia”. Not only is the composition by DUSKO GOYKOVICH on the label compilation-cum-cookbook “Homecooking”, the original was also selected for the recent „Focus Jazz – more modern Jazz from the Wewerka archive 1966-1969“ collection which JAZZANOVA compiled with STEPHAN STEIGLEDER. Now “Macedonia” is also available on 12″ format in a cover version from THIRD EYE aka italian jazz genius NICOLA CONTE with whom further releases are planned on the label.

DUSKO GOYKOVICHs Album „Swinging Macedonia“ which came out on Philips in 1967 has always been a much sought after rarity and a favorite of the acid-jazz movement.
NICOLA CONTE appeared on the scene in 1999 with his debut single „Bossa per due“ and first album „Jet Sounds“ that was originally released on Schema. An abridged version of the long player was also released in the USA under the title „Bossa per due“ on Eighteenth Street Lounge Music, THIEVERY CORPORATION’s label. On top of this he has had countless remixes and releases on labels such as Talkin’ Loud, Compost, BBE and even the mother ship of jazz Blue Note.

For this cover version, NICOLA CONTE aka THIRD EYE took the producers seat and got musicians he knew to perform the tune fresh. His enormous ability is clear from the way he has raised „Macedonia“ to a new level. The original, with its minor candences and 5/8 time, is as brilliant as it is complicated. THIRD EYE gives new life to the tune; although in 4/4 it is no less flowing – indeed, many DJs will prefer the straight, however no less rythmic metre.

Two further originals from the HANS WEWERKA archive have been chosen for the B-side: „No Way“ by JOE HAIDER, who with his use of delay effects paved the way for trip-hop, and ERICH FERSTLs „All My Love Is Gone“ which didn’t make it onto the „Focus Jazz“ collection but has been released as a download on the Sonar Kollektiv website.