top of page
Search

Take Five by Daniel Nikolov

  • Writer: Arashk Azizi
    Arashk Azizi
  • Nov 9
  • 3 min read

Thanks to modern technology, it has become possible to build entire musical landscapes by looping short motifs and layering them, sometimes using nothing more than a single instrument. That’s exactly what Daniel Nikolov achieves in his debut album Take Five, and his instrument is the most ancient one of all: the human voice.
Take Five by Daniel Nikolov

Thanks to modern technology, it has become possible to build entire musical landscapes by looping short motifs and layering them, sometimes using nothing more than a single instrument. That’s exactly what Daniel Nikolov achieves in his debut album Take Five, and his instrument is the most ancient one of all: the human voice.


Perhaps the very first instrument humanity ever used, the voice carries something that no other instrument can replicate, it comes from the soul and speaks directly to it. Nikolov embraces this idea completely, transforming his voice into bass lines, percussion, and harmonic textures. “I want to groove with myself. I want to play all the parts,” he says, and that sense of intimate self-dialogue defines the heart of this record.


Across five reimagined classics, Nikolov turns familiar jazz standards into vivid, layered sound worlds. The opening track, “Take Five,” remains close to the melodic spirit of the original, yet his arrangement bursts with life. Every rhythm, bass groove, and harmonic pad is sung by him, merging precision and warmth in equal measure. The result is less traditionally “jazzy” and more personal, a reflection of Daniel Nikolov’s own musical identity.


“Summertime” follows with a smooth, emotional glow, a rendition that feels both tender and contemporary. “Caravan” builds from a driving, vocal bass line and hypnotic percussive loops, while “Lonely Woman” drifts in slow motion, an ambient soundscape made entirely of voices, floating as if in zero gravity. The closing track, “Sweet Georgia Brown,” brings a playful, bluesy energy, ending the EP on an uplifting note.



What’s most striking is how Nikolov distinguishes between his singing voice and his “instrumental” voice. At times, it’s almost impossible to believe that what you’re hearing isn’t a full ensemble but one man alone, layering himself into a chorus of rhythm and harmony.


His voice is crystal clear, his diction and phrasing articulate, every accent and inflection carefully placed. Yet there’s no sense of showing off, he’s not experimenting for the sake of novelty. He’s already mastered the technique. What remains is pure musicality, sincerity, and joy.


With Take Five, Daniel Nikolov doesn’t simply interpret jazz, he reshapes it. The EP feels like both a tribute to the tradition and a quiet revolution against it, redefining what the human voice can be in contemporary music.


Daniel Nikolov is an emerging European jazz vocalist and composer whose work redefines the boundaries of vocal performance. Originally from Bulgaria and now based in the Netherlands, he transforms the human voice into a complete musical instrument, capable of rhythm, harmony, and emotion. Drawing from jazz, soul, and experimental sound design, he builds immersive, loop-driven landscapes entirely out of vocal layers. A graduate of the Prince Claus Conservatory in Groningen, where he studied under JD Walter, Nikolov has developed a sound that bridges tradition and innovation, inspired by artists like Bobby McFerrin, Kurt Elling, and Jacob Collier. His approach is both technical and deeply personal, a celebration of the voice as the oldest and most expressive instrument of humankind.
Daniel Nikolov

Daniel Nikolov is an emerging European jazz vocalist and composer whose work redefines the boundaries of vocal performance. Originally from Bulgaria and now based in the Netherlands, he transforms the human voice into a complete musical instrument, capable of rhythm, harmony, and emotion. Drawing from jazz, soul, and experimental sound design, he builds immersive, loop-driven landscapes entirely out of vocal layers. A graduate of the Prince Claus Conservatory in Groningen, where he studied under JD Walter, Nikolov has developed a sound that bridges tradition and innovation, inspired by artists like Bobby McFerrin, Kurt Elling, and Jacob Collier. His approach is both technical and deeply personal, a celebration of the voice as the oldest and most expressive instrument of humankind.


Follow Daniel's musical journey on his official website: https://danielnikolov.com/home



This review was written as part of a promotional service provided by Tunitemusic, based on information submitted by the artist.

Comments

bottom of page