Record Reviews

ARI EREV ~ A HANDFUL OF CHANGES PRIVATE EDITION (Barcode: 885767262577) ~ ISRAEL ~ Jazz Recorded: 2011 Released: 2012 Almost four years after his sensational debut album, Israeli pianist / composer Ari ErevFind albums by this artist returns with his second album as a leader. As the title suggests, it´s all about changes, and therefore this outing is very different from the previous one in every respect. Whereas the debut was a classic piano trio album, with subtle, delicate and often introvert musical love-making, this one is joyous and energetic, recorded mostly in a quintet setting. Of the eleven compositions included herein, seven are Ari´s originals, two are by the great Israeli composer Alexander ArgovFind albums by this artist and the remaining two are standards. The quintet, which recorded most of the music, consists of prominent American (NY) tenor and soprano saxophonist Joel FrahmFind albums by this artist, Ari on piano, bass guitarist Arie VolinezFind albums by this artist, drummer Eitan ItzcovichFind albums by this artist and percussionist Gilad DobreckyFind albums by this artist. Bassist Tal RonenFind albums by this artist plays double bass on three tracks and reedman Ofer ShapiroFind albums by this artist plays alto saxophone on one track and clarinet on another. The overall level of performance is absolutely spotless from start to finish, presenting sophisticated and intelligent mainstream Jazz, which is as good as anything recorded in America or Europe in the same category. Volinez and Itzcovich are a formidable rhythm section, with decades of playing together behind them; Shapiro delivers a wonderfully heartfelt clarinet work; Dobrecky ornaments the music with his rhythmic inventions, adding a slightly exotic tinge; Frahm plays beautifully and skillfully; but of course it´s Ari´s piano work that shines brightly and is exceptionally lovely throughout. His touch and intimate feel for the melody is absolutely gorgeous and as much as I try to forget it, it keeps reminding me of Bill EvansFind albums by this artist´ playing. My personal favorite track on this album is the wonderful piano / sax duet, which in its intimacy and nakedness presents the beauty of the music at its fullest. But of course the entire album is a feast from start to finish. I can only thank Ari and his cohorts for bestowing upon us all such wonderful music. It proves that the Israeli Jazz scene, regardless of the fact if it happens here or in the middle of NY, reached a maturity and professionalism I dreamt about since decades. Hats off Ari and may the (Jazz) Force be with you!

Buy it!

CD Digipak

NORMAN HAINES BAND ~ DEN OF INIQUITY ESOTERIC 2301 (Barcode: 5013929431041) ~ UK ~ Progressive Rock Recorded: 1971 Released: 2011 This is the only album recorded by the excellent British keyboardist / vocalist / composer Norman HainesFind albums by this artist and his band, which although being completely unnoticed at the time of its release, later achieved a legendary status, and rightly as it is really a lost gem. Haines, who was the leader of an earlier legendary band (with also had only one album), called LocomotiveFind albums by this artist, formed this band after Locomotive fell apart. It included guitarist Neil ClarkeFind albums by this artist, bassist Andy HughesFind albums by this artist and drummer Jimmy SkidmoreFind albums by this artist. Together they recorded this gem, which is a classic proto-Prog / Psychedelic minor masterpiece, with lengthy instrumental improvisations, great vocals and above all excellent melodies. An absolute must to all early Prog fans!

Buy it!

CD Oversampling Remastered Bonus Tracks

GARY BOYLE ~ ELECTRIC GLIDE ESOTERIC 2308 (Barcode: 5013929430846) ~ UK ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion Recorded: 1978 Released: 2012 This is the 2nd solo album by the excellent British guitarist / composer Gary BoyleFind albums by this artist, recorded after his excellent group IsotopeFind albums by this artist disbanded. A brilliant guitarist, Boyle enjoyed success as a sideman both in the Prog and Jazz circles in UK, and the work with Isotope firmly established his reputation as a formidable Jazz-Rock Fusion player. This album, recorded with an excellent team of superb players: guitarists: Robert AwhaiFind albums by this artist, Gary MooreFind albums by this artist and Kenny ShawFind albums by this artist, bassist Phil ChenFind albums by this artist, drummers Simon PhillipsFind albums by this artist and Richard BaileyFind albums by this artist, keyboardist Pete JacobsenFind albums by this artist and percussionist Simon MortonFind albums by this artist, is a classic example of the British Fusion, full of intricate melodies and virtuosic performances. There is not a dull moment here, from start to finish, and Fusion fans, who for some strange reason might have overlooked this treasure are about to discover a goldmine of pleasures. A must to any intelligent Fusion fan!

Buy it!

CD Oversampling Remastered

GARY BOYLE ~ THE DANCER ESOTERIC 2307 (Barcode: 5013929430747) ~ UK ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion Recorded: 1977 Released: 2012 This is the 1st solo album by the excellent British guitarist / composer Gary BoyleFind albums by this artist, recorded after his excellent group IsotopeFind albums by this artist disbanded. A brilliant guitarist, Boyle enjoyed success as a sideman both in the Prog and Jazz circles in UK, and the work with Isotope firmly established his reputation as a formidable Jazz-Rock Fusion player. This album, recorded with a dreamy team of superb players: keyboardists Zoe KronbergerFind albums by this artist (who also contributed two compositions), Dave MacRaeFind albums by this artist (ex-Matching MoleFind albums by this artist) and Rod ArgentFind albums by this artist (ex-ZombiesFind albums by this artist), bassist Doni HarveyFind albums by this artist, drummer Simon PhillipsFind albums by this artist and many others, is a classic example of the British Fusion, full of intricate melodies and virtuosic performances. There is not a dull moment here, from start to finish, and Fusion fans, who for some strange reason might have overlooked this treasure are about to discover a goldmine of pleasures. A must to any intelligent Fusion fan!

Buy it!

CD Oversampling Remastered

LORA SZAFRAN ~ LONESOME DANCER (POLISH JAZZ VOL.76) MUZA 1076 ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 1989 Released: 2006 This is the excellent debut album by female Polish Jazz vocalist Lora SzafranFind albums by this artist, the best new arrival on the local scene in the 1980s in the vocal department. She was blessed with great musicality, versatility and superb vocal abilities, which are rare and precious. On this album she is accompanied by an exceptional quartet called New PresentationFind albums by this artist, consisting of the best young Polish Jazz musicians at the time: pianist / composer / leader Wojciech NiedzielaFind albums by this artist, his brother bassist Jacek NiedzielaFind albums by this artist, drummer Adam CzerwinskiFind albums by this artist and the excellent trumpeter Piotr WojtasikFind albums by this artist. Together they perform nine songs, two of which were composed by Wojciech Niedziela, two others are by other Polish composers and the rest are Jazz standards. The overall level of performance is truly excellent from start to finish and for people who love mainstream Jazz delivered with taste and virtuosity, this is a must. Side Note: This is the last album released under the "Polish Jazz" series, and as the volume number suggests the entire series consists of 76 albums released between mid-1960s and late 1980s. Some of the best European Jazz ever recorded can be found in this exceptional collection of recordings, which is often collected by Jazz fans around the world. A giant box set with all the 76 albums in mini-sleeve replicas would be a "dream come true" for true lovers of Polish Jazz. Hopefully soon!

Buy it!

CD Digipak Remastered

JERZY MILIAN ~ MILIANALIA MUZA 1088 ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 2003 Released: 2006 This is a beautiful solo album by the virtuoso Polish vibraphonist / composer Jerzy MilianFind albums by this artist, one of the godfathers of modern Jazz in Poland, which was recorded to celebrate his 70th Birthday. Milian started to play in the 1950s and was a member of the legendary sextet led by Krzysztof KomedaFind albums by this artist, who persuaded him to move from piano to vibraphone. In time Milian became one of the top vibraphone players in Europe as well as an excellent composer with highly personal style. His music was always quite sophisticated and unusual, quite ahead of its time. The early Komeda influence was replaced later on by his own original compositional direction, which flirted with Cool, Third Stream, contemporary Classical and World Music. This album presents eight of his original compositions performed solo on a variety of instruments including vibraphone, marimba and various percussion and string instruments. Not an easy listen, this music requires attentive listening and concentration, since the melodic motifs are quite elusive at times. But altogether this is a charming album, which I enjoy listening to very much. Highly recommended!

Buy it!

CD Digipak

JERZY MILIAN ~ BAAZAAR (POLISH JAZZ VOL.17) MUZA 1017 ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 1969 Released: 2005 This is the debut album by veteran Polish Jazz vibraphonist / composer Jerzy MilianFind albums by this artist, one of the godfathers of modern Jazz in Poland. Milian started to play in the 1950s and was a member of the legendary sextet led by Krzysztof KomedaFind albums by this artist, who persuaded him to move from piano to vibraphone. In time Milian became one of the top vibraphone players in Europe as well as an excellent composer with highly personal style. His music was always quite sophisticated and unusual, quite ahead of its time. The early Komeda influence was replaced later on by his own original compositional direction, which flirted with Cool, Third Stream, contemporary Classical and World Music. This album presents eight of his original compositions (one co-composed with Komeda) performed by a trio, which includes bassist Jacek BednarekFind albums by this artist and drummer Grzegorz GierlowskiFind albums by this artist. Two members of the legendary Polish vocal group NOVIFind albums by this artist: vocalist Ewa WanatFind albums by this artist and flautist Janusz MychFind albums by this artist also participate. This is a splendid example of European Jazz, which was rapidly developing in Eastern Europe by late 1960s and which still sounds great regardless half a century later. Highly recommended!

Buy it!

CD Digipak Remastered

JAN "PTASZYN" WROBLEWSKI / WOJCIECH KAROLAK ~ MAINSTREAM (POLISH JAZZ VOL.40) MUZA 1040 (Barcode: 5907783420405) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 1973 Released: 2007 This album presents a meeting between two Polish Jazz veterans: saxophonist / composer Jan "Ptaszyn" WroblewskiFind albums by this artist and keyboardist Wojciech KarolakFind albums by this artist. The two cooperated in various Jazz ensembles since the late 1950s and until mid 1960s and this album marks their reunion in the studio after several years of not playing together due to Karolak´s residence in Sweden in the late 1960s / early 1970s. The two are joined by another veteran, drummer Czeslaw BartkowskiFind albums by this artist, and excellent guitarist Marek BlizinskiFind albums by this artist and together they play six tunes, five of which are standards and one id a Wroblewski original. Karolak plays the Hammond Organ, a sound that would be associated with him for his entire future career, and his passion fro that instrument is clearly evident here. Wroblewski and Blizinski play fire solos and Bartkowski drives the quartet forward at all times. Although typically mainstream, this is still great Jazz, performed with passion and considerable talent, which should be enjoyable to all Jazz connoisseurs. Recommended!

Buy it!

CD Digipak Remastered

JAN "PTASZYN" WROBLEWSKI ~ FLYIN` LADY (POLISH JAZZ VOL.55) POLSKIE RADIO 0534 (Barcode: 5901448115347) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 1978 Released: 2005 This is an excellent album by Polish veteran Jazz saxophonist / composer / arranger / bandleader Jan "Ptaszyn" WroblewskiFind albums by this artist. One of the great pioneers of the Polish Jazz movement since the 1950s, Wroblewski remained very active on the local scene in many capacities, which included leading his own ensembles, directing the Polish Radio Jazz Studio Orchestra and teaching generations of Polish Jazz musicians. Wroblewski always firmly stood for the Jazz tradition, keeping the mainstream Jazz in Poland on a very high level. He was rarely associated with the Polish Jazz modernists and avoided Free Jazz excursions, even when these were fashionable. Nevertheless his unique and innovative approach to Jazz composition and virtuosic ability as a player make his very extensive legacy an infinite source of superb Jazz moments. This album presents six original compositions by Wroblewski, superbly performed by a quartet, which includes guitarist Marek BlizinskiFind albums by this artist, bassist Witold SzczurekFind albums by this artist and drummer Andrzej DabrowskiFind albums by this artist. Blizinski should be noted as one of the greatest Polish guitarists and perhaps the Jazziest one, who avoided getting into Fusion at all costs, keeping his sound in the Wes MontgomeryFind albums by this artist / Barney KesselFind albums by this artist tradition. Altogether this is a great example of the versatility of the Polish Jazz scene and its excellence, regardless of the specific sub-genre in question. Highly recommended!

Buy it!

CD Digipak Oversampling Remastered

GEORGE RUSSELL ~ THE COMPLETE REMASTERED RECORDINGS ON BLACK SAINT & SOUL NOTE CAM 1005 (Barcode: 8024709113221) ~ USA ~ Jazz Recorded: 1966 - 1983 Released: 2010 This superb box set collects all the albums recorded by the legendary American keyboardist / composer George RussellFind albums by this artist on the twin Italian independent labels: Black SaintFind albums on this label and Soul NoteFind albums on this label. The recordings span a period of almost 20 years and present Russell in many different settings, from a sextet to a big Jazz Orchestra, his preferred weapon of choice. His brilliant compositions are the focal point of these recordings and present a most impressive volume of brilliant work, which earn him an honorable place in the history of the genre. Most of these recordings are with European and in particular Scandinavian musicians and the list of names reads like a who´s who of the European Jazz scene: Jan GarbarekFind albums by this artist, Bernt RosengrenFind albums by this artist, Jon ChristensenFind albums by this artist, Terje RypdalFind albums by this artist, Arild AndersenFind albums by this artist and many others. Russell resided in Europe in the mid to late 1960s and after returning to the US he often visited Europe and continued to record there. His music was accepted and appreciated in Europe much more that in his native US, which is the case with many American Jazzmen in the 1960s and 1970s, many of which resided in Europe for extended periods of time. The contents of this box set is a great tribute to the great composer´s life and work and includes some of the most interesting music recorded in the 20th Century. A must!

Buy it!

CD 9 Mini-Sleeve Box Set Remastered