‘Gratitude’ marks the new full-length release from the Honza Kourimsky alter ego, Mahuki.
Initially Czech-born but now residing in Edinburgh, the Mahuki brand has steadily been garnering notable acclaim since its introduction just a few short years ago. Mahuki’s ‘Live from the Living Room Set’ from 2023 proved a breakout moment for Kourimsky whoseimpassioned ten-track performance, recorded at Edinburgh’s Wee Red Bar, revealed the guitarist and composer as a compulsory voice amidst a thriving Scottish scene – a scene with no shortage of compulsory and contemporary voices.
The live release brilliantly paved the way for the diverse and multi-faceted project that we’d eventually receive in ‘Gratitude’, which, absolutely lived up to audiences’ high expectations. Through ‘Gratitude’, Kourimsky follows through on his boundary-less and unhindered approach to jazz, fiercely and unashamedly embracing all the musical facets that have served as his inspiration and creating a full-length that proudly showcases them all on his proverbial sleeve.
Much of Kourimsky’s music – and ultimately his message – is rooted within the ‘journey’. The very ideal serves as the guitarist’s motivational concept in so many different contexts whether that be geographically – the journey that brought him from The Czech Republic to Edinburgh in the first instance; spiritually – the journey we all experience as people who learn and grow; or of course musically in the way that Kourimsky opens himself up as a writer and composer embracing the evolution through experience, performance and collaboration. Even the album’s title, ‘Gratitude’, serves to eloquently encapsulate his humble approach to those experiences.
Across the album’s ten tracks, Mahuki navigates a compelling, intricate and inspired narrative that does justice to the journey that has brought Kourimsky to this album. Serving as the album’s lead single, the sensational afrobeat of ‘Warrior Path’ kicks things off in spectacular fashion – clocking in at just over nine minutes, the high-energy gem confidently weaves its own path and delivers a strong album highlight almost immediately. The two-part ‘Obsolete’ proves another fascinating inclusion as its string-laden Latin-inspired compositions command in riveting fashion. And then there’s the three-part ‘Gratitude’ suite that almost teases elements of nu-disco as part of its enthralling and vibrant make-up.
With anticipation already high following ‘Live from the Living Room Set’, Mahuki wows once again with ‘Gratitude’ – a stellar and engaging piece of work; one that furthers the ever-expanding list of projects cementing Edinburgh as a hub of creative jazz talent, and one that cements Honza Kourimsky as an imaginative and gifted artist.
