Record Reviews

AL JARREAU ~ MY OLD FRIEND: CELEBRATING GEORGE DUKE CONCORD 888072353572 (Barcode: 888072353572) ~ USA ~ Jazz-Pop Fusion Recorded: 2014 Released: 2014 This is the last studio album by American Jazz vocalist / songwriter Al JarreauFind albums by this artist, dedicated to his musical friend, the great keyboardist / composer George DukeFind albums by this artist, who died tragically prematurely in 2013. Jarreau is supported by a stellar team of top American instrumentalists, which includes bassists Stanley ClarkeFind albums by this artist and Marcus MillerFind albums by this artist, keyboardist Patrice RushenFind albums by this artist and many others and several guest vocalists, including Dianne ReevesFind albums by this artist and Dr. JohnFind albums by this artist. The album presents ten tracks, nine of which have music composed by Duke and the title tracks was composed by Jarreau. Duke plays keyboards on one track. The music is absolutely lovely, as usual in the case of Jarreau’s outings, a perfect merger of Rhythm And Blues, Soul and Jazz, brilliantly performed by the participating musicians and guest vocalists, crowned by the irresistible vocal performances by Jarreau himself. Duke was a phenomenal weaver of great melodies, which always characterized his output, regardless of the different idioms he took part in, and this album is a great reminder of his many talents. Overall, this is a delightful vocal album, which despite its strong Pop tendencies, offers a sophisticated and elegant listening experience, which is accessible to a wide range of music loving audience. Jarreau was a unique Artist, who never made any compromises as far as his music was concerned. Sadly, this was destined to be his last recording project, which serves as a proper testament of his superb talent.

Updated: 24/06/2025Posted: 24/06/2025

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AL JARREAU ~ WOW!: LIVE AT THE CHILDE HAROLD RESONANCE 2075 (Barcode: 617270123171) ~ USA ~ Jazz Recorded: 1976 Released: 2024 This is an archival live album by American Jazz vocalist / songwriter Al JarreauFind albums by this artist, recorded in 1976 at the legendary Washington D.C. venue Childe Harold, in an intimate climate with Jarreau accompanied only by an electric piano trio, which comprised of pianist Tom CanningFind albums by this artist, bassist Ben AtkinFind albums by this artist and drummer Tom DrakeFind albums by this artist. The album presents eleven tracks, seven of which are original songs by Jarreau and for are his unique interpretations of songs b others, including two Jazz standards and two Pop songs, one each by James TaylorFind albums by this artist and Leon RussellFind albums by this artist. The performance followed the release of his 2nd album “GlowFind albums with this title” and includes material from that album, as well as from the debut album “We Got ByFind albums with this title”. The album is accompanied by an extensive booklet, which interviews and background information, as is usual the case with the ResonanceFind albums on this label label releases. The performance is absolutely sensational and presents perfectly the early period of Jarreau’s early career, when his singing consisted primarily of a unique form of improvised vocalese, which was simply divine. His interpretation of Dave BrubeckFind albums by this artist’s “Take Five”, which is present here, illustrates that technique perfectly and I remember hearing him performing it live, it knocked me out completely. He was also blessed with an incredible sense of humor, which dominated his live concerts. The album also portrays the superb songwriting talent of Jarreau, which often was overlooked in view of his performing strength. This live recording is a beautiful tribute to Jarreau’s legacy and his tragically premature demise robbed the music lovers of his charm and incredible talent. Overall, this is a charming a most valuable document of the early period of Jarreau’s career, with the music performed in an intimate climate and perfectly recorded, for us to enjoy. It is definitely one of the best live albums in his recorded legacy. Not to be missed!

Updated: 18/05/2025Posted: 18/05/2025

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AL JARREAU & NDR BIG BAND ~ ELLINGTON ACT 9060 (Barcode: 614427906021) ~ USA ~ Big Band Jazz Recorded: 2016 Released: 2024 This is an archival live album by American Jazz vocalist Al JarreauFind albums by this artist, recorded with the mighty German NDR Big BandFind albums by this artist during his last European tour, just three months prior to his death. The album presents ten tracks, which are all, as to title suggests, compositions by Duke EllingtonFind albums by this artist or Billy StrayhornFind albums by this artist, brilliantly arranged by the conductor / arranger Jorg Achim KellerFind albums by this artist. The sound quality is not perfect, but the quality of the music compensates everything. Jarreau was not only one of the best and most unique American Jazz vocalist ever, but he was also a superb entertainer, with an exquisite sense of humor, which this album documents perfectly. His contact with the audience, which I was lucky to witness in person several times, was always intimate and full of love for music. His premature death was a truly great loss. The NDR Big Band is, as expected, fabulous all the way through, as appropriate for the best Big Band on earth IMHO. They are great partners for vocalists, as documented on may albums recorded over the years, and this album is no exception. Overall, this is a wonderful vocal Jazz album and a Big Band album combined, especially welcome in view of the fact that Jarreau’s recorded legacy is rather modest, comprising less than twenty studio albums, most recorded in the 1970s and 1980s. Definitely worth being discovered, not only by the Jarreau fans!

Updated: 21/01/2025Posted: 21/01/2025

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JAZZ CITY CHOIR ~ JAZZ CITY CHOIR AMI 001 ~ POLAND ~ Jazz-Classical Fusion Recorded: 2012 Released: 2012 This is the excellent debut album by Polish vocal ensemble Jazz City ChoirFind albums by this artist, which comprises of nine female and male vocalists singing together arrangements of Jazz compositions in a new and unprecedented way. Although vocal Jazz ensembles, usually quartets, have a longstanding tradition in Jazz, and even in their native Poland (the superb NOVIFind albums by this artist quartet), there were very few attempts to take Jazz vocals to the full extent of choir level, like this one. Listeners familiar with this particular niche might remember the work of Singers UnlimitedFind albums by this artist, which also used a choir effect, but it was achieved by multi-tracking the four members of the ensemble, whereas here we have a genuine choir at hand. The album presents six compositions, four of which are Jazz standards arranged by Pawel ZielakFind albums by this artist, the choir´s house arranger, and two compositions created especially for the choir, one by its soprano singer Joanna KucharczykFind albums by this artist and another by composer Jan SanejkoFind albums by this artist, a young and very talented person worth watching!. Five of the six compositions feature a lead soloist, which in four cases is the choir´s music director and conductor Anna GadtFind albums by this artist and in one case the wonderful Polish singer Grzegorz KarnasFind albums by this artist. Five of the compositions feature vocalese only and one – Chick CoreaFind albums by this artist´s "Spain" – features partly lyrics, written by Al JarreauFind albums by this artist and sung in English. The initial impact of this album is completely overwhelming; the power, complexity and inherent beauty of human voices harmonizing and building up multi-layered structures, multiplied by ten individual sound signatures, is breathtaking. Of course in time the initial shock gives way to a more articulate reception, but moving on into the music the stimulation of brain cells continues up to the moment when the very last sound resonates into silence. This is really something else… Of course a detached and coolheaded analysis reveals certain problems and imperfections, most serious of which is the dichotomy between the musical devices (in this case choral devices) used by the choir, which almost all originate in the world of Classical Music or even earlier musical forms like Medieval chants or early Church music. The transition of these devices into the world of Jazz has puzzled many composers / performers over the years, with varying results. Nevertheless, Jazz City Choir manages to swing at all times, which after all is the basic quality one expects from anything under the Jazz umbrella, even if their tools and paraphernalia originate in another world. Using lyrics, and especially in English, was a completely unnecessary move, exposing their weakest link, but considering it is a minor part of the entire presentation, it can be easily forgiven and hopefully forgotten. Overall this is a stunning debut and the thought what these people might come up with next is scary (in a positive way). I simply can´t wait! It´s an absolute most for anybody fond of vocal Jazz in all forms and shapes and of course for connoisseurs of the Jazz-Classical Fusion sub-genre. Respect!

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MATUSIK & GHOSTMAN ~ LIVE NOT ON LABEL ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 2013 Released: 2013 This is a debut album by Polish duo, which pairs keyboardist / composer Piotr MatusikFind albums by this artist and vocalist GhostmanFind albums by this artist (Grzegorz LulekFind albums by this artist). The music was recorded live and it was the duo´s debut performance. The album presents nine original compositions / songs co-credited to both members of the duo. I have no idea why this album landed on my lap over two years after it was released, but better late than never. I must admit that I fell in love with this music from the first moment and I am still completely stunned by it. Mind you, it is only marginally Jazzy, but nevertheless it is one of the most original musical ventures on the Polish scene in the last few years. Matusik, who is a very gifted pianist and composer as evident from his other recording projects, uses a plethora of keyboards to accompany the vocalist and skillfully changes the sounds / samples / timbre of his instruments to support his partner amicably, playing on the way some truly beautiful solos. He manages to be a complete and sufficient "one man orchestra", utilizing a drum machine and other tricks of the trade, doing it all with taste and respect. But the real surprise for me is Ghostman, the vocalist. Not only is he blessed by a wonderful voice, which brings fond memories of the great Al JarreauFind albums by this artist, but he also manages to do something I never heard before and that is to improvise the songs´ lyrics inventing them in a gibberish language, which sounds as if spoken in a language, but in fact has no meaning whatsoever. The listener is convinced he is hearing Portuguese, Spanish, French or Italian but in fact this is all gibberish. Of course since most people do not speak many languages, they are convinced that they simply don´t understand the lyrics, but the devilish trick of fooling them all is Ghostman´s illusion. Honestly this can´t be accurately described by words and the only way to experience it is to hear it live, which I intend to do on the first opportunity arising. In the meantime listening to this superb music and absolutely stunning vocal shenanigans is all that I can do. If I´d received this album a couple of years earlier I´d have selected it among the top 10 albums of 2013, but alas this was no to happen. Buy I pay my respect now: hats off to both of you! And where is that studio album we all want to hear?

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