Record Reviews

TRILOK GURTU ~ SPELLBOUND MOOSICUS 1206 (Barcode: 4017425120622) ~ INDIA ~ Jazz-World Fusion Recorded: 2012 Released: 2013 This is an album by the legendary Indian percussionist / composer Trilok GurtuFind albums by this artist, dedicated to Jazz trumpet players and their music. It features guest trumpet players from different countries: Turkish Hasan GozetlikFind albums by this artist, Norwegian Nils Petter MolvaerFind albums by this artist, Lebanese Ibrahim MaaloufFind albums by this artist, Italian Paolo FresuFind albums by this artist, German Matthias SchrieflFind albums by this artist and Matthias HofsFind albums by this artist and American Ambrose AkinmusireFind albums by this artist. The opening and closing snippets feature the legendary Don CherryFind albums by this artist. The music was recorded in many studios in Turkey, Norway, France, Germany, USA, and Italy. The album presents twelve tracks, mostly composed by Gurtu but also including music by Dizzy GillespieFind albums by this artist, Miles DavisFind albums by this artist and Don Cherry. The music is, as usual in Gurtu’s case, an orgy of rhythms and sounds, based on brilliant compositions by Gurtu and the celebrated trumpeters / composers, which feature him playing a myriad of percussive instruments and singing konnakol improvisations, supported by his trio, which includes Turkish keyboardist Tulug TirpanFind albums by this artist and Spanish bassist Jonathan CuniadoFind albums by this artist, and other guests. Together they support the a.m. guest trumpeters and create a truly multi-national ensemble united by love of music. The music amalgamates Jazz and various ethnic influences, Funk and Fusion in a unique way, which makes everything sound completely naturally and in perfect symbiosis, demonstrating again that music knows no geographic or national borders. Overall, this is a superb example of Jazz-World Fusion, which is completely universal and able to reach listeners from the entire world and all music genres. Jazz trumpet lovers and World Music lovers should find this music irresistible.

Updated: 14/01/2026Posted: 14/01/2026

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TIGRAN HAMASYAN ~ STANDART NONESUCH 075597911473 (Barcode: 075597911473) ~ ARMENIA ~ Jazz Recorded: 2021 Released: 2022 This is the 10th studio album by Armenian pianist / composer Tigran HamasyanFind albums by this artist, recorded mostly in a piano trio setting with American bassist Matt BrewerFind albums by this artist and drummer Justin BrownFind albums by this artist, and guest soloists like saxophonists Mark TurnerFind albums by this artist and Joshua RedmanFind albums by this artist and trumpeter Ambrose AkinmusireFind albums by this artist. The album presents nine tracks, one of which is an original composition by the performing musicians and eight are Hamasyan’s interpretations of standards. The sound recording quality is brilliant. This is the first album, which features Hamasyan playing Jazz standards, as on all his earlier albums he performed exclusively his original compositions, which are strongly influenced / dominated by the Armenian music tradition. The readings of the standards present on this album are among the most original and diverse versions I have ever come across over the years, which should leave even the most experience Jazz fans open-mouthed, to say the least. Hamasyan is undoubtedly one of the most interesting Jazz pianists today and considering the fact that he is under forty years old means that he surely has much to offer in the future. His technique is brilliant, his rhythmic feels is out-worldly and his touch on the keyboards is absolutely unique. Of course the rhythm section and the guests are also superb. Overall, this is a stunning (mostly) Jazz piano trio album, which deserves an honorary place in every decent music collection and offers many repeated listening sessions, gradually revealing the true depth of the music. Beyond recommendation!

Updated: 03/07/2026Posted: 03/07/2026

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