Record Reviews

POINT OF FEW ~ PERIPHERAL PEOPLE BIVAK 012 (Barcode: 8590233092191) ~ CZECH REPUBLIC ~ Jazz-Ambient Fusion Recorded: 2024 Released: 2024 This is the 2nd album by Czech ensemble Point Of FewFind albums by this artist, led by guitarist / composer Radim PridalFind albums by this artist, and includes also saxophonist / keyboardist Petr SmekalFind albums by this artist, bass guitarist Vlastimil SkodaFind albums by this artist and drummer Marek AntonuFind albums by this artist. American vocalist Allison WheelerFind albums by this artist guests of a couple of tracks and electronics Artists Aid KidFind albums by this artist guests on one tracks. The album presents nine tracks, six of which were composed by Pridal and three are credited to the ensemble members. Wheeler wrote the lyrics to one of the tracks. The music is mostly very melodic and somewhat sentimental, characterized by a murky (obviously purposely) sound, which is often the case by contemporary Jazz albums, which flirt with Pop and Electronic / Ambient music. The guitar, which is the leading voice, is recorded clearly and without distortion, which offers a contrast to the background accompaniment. The music develops slowly, almost sluggishly, which might be a challenge to the less patient listeners, but keeps a consistent atmospheric ambience. The saxophone parts, which are the jazziest element of the album, are also quite enjoyable. Wheeler adds some nice vocalese parts, which might have significantly enhanced the album, if present on all tracks. Overall, this is an interesting and very well-conceived album, flirting between Jazz, Pop and Ambient music, an ideal companion to dark, rainy days. I had a great time listening to the music, but it might to be for the Jazz purists.

Updated: 15/11/2025Posted: 15/11/2025

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TOMAS SYKORA TRIO & AID KID ~ ALCHEMY ANIMAL MUSIC 114 (Barcode: 8594211850216) ~ CZECH REPUBLIC ~ Jazz-Ambient Fusion Recorded: 2023 Released: 2023 This is an album by the Czech Jazz pianist / composer Tomas SykoraFind albums by this artist and his trio with bassist Tomas LiskaFind albums by this artist and drummer Roman VichaFind albums by this artist, augmented by the electronics artist Aid KidFind albums by this artist (a.k.a. Ondra MikulaFind albums by this artist). The album presents nine tracks, all original compositions by Sykora. The music is a highly exciting and innovative piece of contemporary Jazz, fused with electronics, which results in a fresh, up to date sound and feel, sometimes close to contemporary electronic Pop music, but still very much within the Jazz territory, with extensive improvisations by the leader and vigorous support by the slick rhythm section. Sykora plays both acoustic piano and synthesizers, but the listener is surrounded by an electric perception, as a result of the electronic layers, electric bass and synthesizer parts. Yet the result manages to retain a solid melodic background and continuity, which keeps the music within a clearly harmonic environment, not crossing over to the Pop, Dance, Techno and Trance idioms. Some Jazz purist my find this music too far removed from the Jazz tradition, but let’s keep in mind that Sykora has already proven his Jazz background beyond any doubt and this experimentation is nothing else but an attempt to discover new areas of interest, without compromising quality or aesthetic values. Overall, this is an interesting and innovative attempt to amalgamate Jazz and electronic music, based on a set of highly melodic compositions, excellently executed by the participating musicians. Perhaps not universally appealing to the broad Jazz audiences, but highly interesting to the younger listeners, who are exposed to electronic sounds on a daily basis and should find this music familiar enough to explore it further. Definitely worth investigating!

Updated: 19/08/2023Posted: 19/08/2023

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