First featuring our pages in April 2024, Fugu Quintet are a group who are doing some wonderful things in the world of jazz.

By Graeme Smith

Their latest composition is Existential Defeat, a droning dirge which brings with a sense of moodiness and horror. Electronic elements mingle among live sax, bass, and Tibetan bowl to provide an arrangement that both envelopes and surprises the listener. I couldn’t help but be stirred by it, especially as it reached its vibrant crescendo.

Fugu Quintet are an online band, geographically separate and consisting of Alex on bass and composition, Kostya on keyboard and finalizer, and Ilya on sax.

Existential Defeat is out now and you can give it a listen below.