When Good Might Be Too Much

«Lupa» and «Sinfonietta Rīga» Drown the Listener in a Professionalism Tsunami

One shouldn’t say music is «manufactured on a conveyor belt,» but that very comparison came to mind this February regarding Jersika Records. In the shortest month of the year, they released new masterpieces almost weekly: Kārlis Vanags’ «Trio Colossus», Miķelis Dzenuška’s «Latvijas zivis», and finally, the double vinyl «1982» — a collaboration between the modern jazz group Lupa and the State Chamber Orchestra Sinfonietta Rīga.

The Evolution of Lupa

The modern jazz group «Lupa» first captured hearts and minds with their second album, «Koki // Sketches Of Trees» — an elegant example of modern electronic jazz and neo-fusion that appealed even to those who don’t usually consume «elite» music. Mareks Ameriks, head of Jersika Records, has called them Latvia’s answer to modern jazz giants such as The Comet Is Coming and BadBadNotGood.

The group consists of four highly professional Latvian musicians:
Dāvis Jurka: Alto/tenor saxophone, flute, clarinet.
Ritvars Garoza: Keyboards.
Valters Sprūdžs: Bass.
Andris Buiķis: Drums (also the composer and arranger for all 12 tracks on this record).

Buiķis notes that the workload for this project was massive, but every bar moved forward naturally. He emphasizes that the vinyl version, unlike streaming, captures a specific sense of dynamics and life.

The «Tsunami» of Sound

There is no doubt that life and dynamics are present here. However, there is a lingering suspicion that for the average listener, it may be too much. While «Lupa» on its own is sophisticated, the addition of the chamber orchestra occasionally threatens to «crush with mass.»

The album «1982» evokes old proverbs like «too much of a good thing» or «excess leads to harm.» Subjectively, the work can feel overwhelming due to the sheer volume of the sound flow and the «everything-at-once» approach.

For the Connoisseur

Of course, jazz professionals and elite music gourmets will disagree. For them, this 12-track collection is a feast. As Normunds Šnē, conductor of Sinfonietta Rīga, puts it, the music makes the listener a «privileged ally in phenomenal creative freedom, dazzling with color, content, and virtuosity.»

Standout Tracks:
«Childhood»: A key highlight of the suite.
«Happiness And Peace»: Features a touch of progressive rock where Buiķis’s drumming is most palpable.
«Nothing Will Ever Happen Again» (Part 1): A standout for its structure.
«Easy»: A masterclass in bass playing.
«1982» (Title Track): Showcases the full splendor of the wind instruments.

Conclusion

Perhaps the criticism stems from a simple human desire to hear more from the «Lupa» guys themselves without the orchestral shroud. However, if one allows oneself to be swept away by the magic of symphonic jazz for over an hour, any grumpiness will likely be washed away. Where else can you hear jazz instruments paired with a chamber orchestra, an accordion, and an analog drum machine all in one recording?