Available in: CD, Tape, FILE HD 96kHz • 24bit

Tracks

1. Country of Obscurantism (Sasha Mashin) 09:11
2. Yellow Blues (Makar Novikov) 08:29
3. Hey it's Spring (Igor Stravinsky) 06:44
4. Darn the Dream (Jimmy Van Heusen) 06:06
5. Suite et Poursuite (Rosario Giuliani) 16:17

Line up

Sasha Mashin  | drums
Rosario Giuliani| alto sax
Makar Novikov  | double bass

Credits

Produced by Sasha Mashin | SMASHIN PRODUCTION
Executive Producer: Lorenzo Vella | BIRDBOX RECORDS 
Recorded at Saint Louis College of Music (Roma)
Recording/mixing engineer: Sasha Mashin
Mastering engineer: Lorenzo Vella
Cover photo: Lorenzo Vella | NIGHTINGALE STUDIOS
Additional photos: Alessio Cesario, Ira Polyarnaya
Graphics: Nerina Fernandez

Description

Sasha Mashin - Happy Run
Sasha Mashin's new and first Italian album, titled "Happy Run," features two extraordinary artists, saxophonist Rosario Giuliani and double bassist Makar Novikov.
 
Mashin, a Russian drummer, chose Italy and Rome as his place of residence for the past two years after the outbreak of the conflict involving his country. Sasha Mashin lived in Moscow, where he played a leading role in the city's cultural and musical scene. Two activities in particular occupied much of his time: "Sasha Mashin Happy Lab," which took place once a week at Moscow's main jazz club, and 'Sasha Mashin Happy Run,' where friends would meet to run 10 kilometers and chat once a week. The idea behind the musical workshop was to break down the barrier between the audience and the stage, promoting informal communication, concerts, and the exchange of ideas. In a short time, the lab became a regular event for listening to great music and a meeting place for creatives who shared ideas and started new projects. Similarly, the amateur sports event became popular, with many of the same participants as the "Happy Lab." The rules were simple: as long as you run, you can learn anything you want, not only from the event's creator, Mashin himself, but also from all the musicians or people involved in the 10-kilometer run, who came from various professional backgrounds. The outbreak of the war profoundly changed the dynamics, not only on an international scale but also, and above all, in the lives of individuals. Sasha Mashin continued to "run," not only metaphorically. Arriving in Italy as a political refugee, he found new friends, exceptional musicians who welcomed him both as a person and as an artist. Today, the Russian drummer feels he can call Rome his "home" and his new and old friends "his family."

“I feel like I've finally finished my race," explains Sasha Mashin in the liner notes of his album, "for the first time in a long time I feel truly happy. While once the idea of emigrating filled me with existential terror, it doesn't even feel like I've left home. Italians are so open, friendly, and supportive that it feels like I've completed a marathon and reached the finish line. I'm home.” The songs on the "Happy Run" album are composed by Sasha Mashin himself. "Country of Obscurantism" suggests that it doesn't necessarily have to be beautiful, which helps the artist share it with a lighter heart. "I promise I will continue my attempts and maybe one day I will write something more beautiful with a more joyful background." The album includes Makar Novikov's beautiful composition "Yellow Blues," Rosario Giuliani's magnificent three-part "Suite et Poursuite," Jimmy Van Heusen's ballad "Darn That Dream," and even a track from "The Rite of Spring" by the artist's most beloved composer, Igor Stravinsky ("Introduction, Les Augures printaniers"), paired with Victor Lewis's composition "Hey, It's Me You Are Talkin' To" (music the artist is convinced was inspired by Stravinsky himself). "One of the most beautiful experiences related to running," says Sasha, "is the ability to think and plan while running. In these moments, the brain's chemistry changes significantly, producing more serotonin and dopamine, and you can think more clearly and precisely. By running regularly, I understood one important thing: you cannot run away from yourself. But you can run away from the darkness, both within and outside of us. Running is an intelligent sport. Run happy!”

"Happy Run" is an album that is not just about music but also tells a story. It is a metaphorical "run" that allowed the artist to move away from the darkness of a difficult past and brought him to Italy for a new life, in his new home!

• Features

  For these exclusive tape copies, Lorenzo Vella produces the analog master, which is transferred to a STUDER A80 1/4, from AMPEX ATR102 1/2. The quarter-inch tape is then shipped along with a precious aluminum reel inside an elegant luxury box. We only use RecordingTheMasters tapes.
  Quality control on one of the tape recorders such as: Studer A807, Sony AR5003V, Otari MX55, and Telefunken M15A.
  Each handcrafted custom box contains a professional case, a graphic insert, a thank you letter, a warranty certificate, a certificate of authenticity for pure analog work, and each set is hand-numbered.

• Technical data

  Tracks : 2 stereo - 1⁄4 inch

  Tape Speeds: 38,1 cm/s

  Equalization:  CCIR (NABon request)

  Tape Model: LPR90 Long-Play Studio Tape ¼" 1100m - RecordingTheMasters (long play version of SM 900)

  Reference level: 320 nWb/m