Yagull All You Need To Know

Yagull is New York post rock chamber project featuring composer/ guitarist Sasha Markovic and pianist extraordinaire/ composer Kana Kamitsubo. Following the success of critically acclaimed album "films", the couple recorded the new material with a help of the fantastic line up of guest musicians hailing from eight different countries including fellow MoonJune international recording artists Beledo, Dewa Budjana, and Marko Djordjevic. The second album named after their son Kai born during the period of writing and producing the record, is now available on MoonJune Records. The couple is going back to studio, this time in Kobe, Japan in April 2016 to start working on their new album.

Yagull "Kai" (Moonjune, 2015)

Yagull’s second CD, their debut for MoonJune Records, “Kai,” represents big musical and personal changes for group founder, composer, producer, and guitarist,  Sasha Markovic.  Yagull has officially became a duo with the addition of Sasha’s most challenging collaborator up until this time, pianist extraordinaire Kana Kamitsubo.  Sasha and Kana’s partnership went further as they became husband and wife. Album “Kai” and the title track are named after their son born in 2014.

Picking up where the last Yagull CD, “Films” left off in 2012, “Kai” expands the post rock chamber soundtrack concept exploring new structures written around acoustic guitar, bass, percussion and acoustic piano. Yagull as a duo has an increased crossover potential for attracting listeners that may not be dialed into any of the specific genres baked into this release. 

Yagull delivers eight brand new compositions, two tunes from "Films" revisited ( Dark, Sound Of M ) plus two covers for this sophomore release.  The tracks range from "North" which exploits Kana's mastery of creating evocative mood and space for Sasha to play, folksy "Z-Parrow" while "Omniprism" drifts into progressive rock ambiance. Methenyesque tune “Blossom”, leaves space for special guest Dewa Budjana to shine with another beautiful, lyrical solo. The title track for their son emotes a melody that can easily go alongside "Waltz for Debby" by Bill Evans in any play list.Sasha once again wears his affection for classic rock as a badge reworking the Free song, "Wishing Well," which was also passionately performed by the late Gary Moore, as well as Deep Purple’s “Burn”. Beledo’s majestic lute introduction pays a homage to Deep Purple’s live version from the "Made In Europe" record.

The duo are also joined by several guest musicians, the extraordinary and diverse line up hailing from eight different countries, including fellow Moonjune international recording artists Beledo (guitar), Dewa Budjana (guitar) and Marko Djordjevic (drums), as well as the long time collaborator flutist Lori Reddy, Anthony Mullin from The Blackfires (guitar), Jackson Kincheloe from Sister Sparrow & The Dirty Birds ( harmonica ), Gabriel Nat (clarinet), Wen Chang (violin) and Yoshiki Yamada (upright bass). “Kai” has set Yagull on a journey that will appeal to wide range of listeners.  This is essential MoonJune music.

Yagull "films" (zozemusic/ distributed by MoonJune, 2012)

Yagull "films" is written, arranged and produced by composer/ guitarist Sasha Markovic who is joined by an extraordinary group of soloists consisting of Lori Reddy (flute), Eylon Tushiner (sax) and Sonia Choi (cello). The music on "films" appears very cinematic and theme based, but would probably best be described as a "next generation post-rock chamber music." Like an independent film, the moods on "films" move from the dramatically atmospheric to playful. Two classic rock pieces appear in the mix that serve as listener friendly signposts within the landscape. "White Room" by Cream and "Sabbath Bloody Sabbath" by Black Sabbath are both bravely deconstructed from their iconic forms and melodically reconstructed as dreamy reflective impression pieces. The album closer, "Distance, " brings out the full band sound - featuring soloists Reddy and Choi, and special guest, Josh Margolis, on drums.