Igor Zakus – Spivanky

The vinyl release of the album Spivanky by Igor Zakus is a special event for admirers of contemporary Ukrainian jazz and ethno music. The record is released on the artist’s birthday, giving the occasion a symbolic meaning and marking an important milestone in the musician’s long creative journey. Spivanky offers a deep yet modern interpretation of ancient Ukrainian folk songs collected in Zakarpattia, which received a new sonic dimension through Igor Zakus’s original arrangements.

Igor Zakus is one of Ukraine’s leading bass guitarists, a composer, producer, and the initiator of the artistic project Jazz Kolo. Born in Chervonohrad in the Lviv region, he received an academic education as an oboist, yet it was the bass guitar that became his true creative voice. His music combines technical mastery, refined melodic sensibility, and deep Ukrainian lyricism with a contemporary European sound. Zakus is a Merited Artist of Ukraine, an associate professor at the Kyiv Municipal Academy of Music named after Hliier, and the producer of more than two dozen jazz releases.

The album Spivanky is an ethno-jazz project that brings together traditional folk singing (Ivanka Chervinska), the sound of a symphony orchestra (orchestrations by Igor Yuziuk), the symphony orchestra “GosOrchestra” conducted by Oleksandr Hosachynskyi, folk instruments, and modern styles ranging from fusion and funk to Afro rhythms and elements of electronic music. The recording features Ukrainian and European musicians, including Szymon Mika (Poland), Andy Ninvalle (Netherlands), Rodion Ivanov, Artur Frolov, and Oleksandr Pavlov (Ukraine).

The vinyl edition emphasizes the depth and warmth of the sound of this large-scale project, giving new life to Ukrainian song tradition and presenting it with dignity on the international stage.

The release is issued in collaboration with TILKYTAK Records as a limited edition, hand-numbered pressing of 299 copies. The gatefold edition features archival concert photos on the inner spread and includes an insert, with 99 copies signed by Igor Zakus. The classic black 180g vinyl complements the minimalist design of the release.

Record: “NaHatiRecords studio” (Alexander Sadovets), “Komora” (Konstantin Kostenko), “Prostir” | 2020
Design: Lavrin Shymin
Music producer: Igor Zakus

The project Spivanky was realized with the support of the Ukrainian Cultural Foundation.