Record Reviews
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  | BAN / SURMAN / MANERI ~ TRANSYLVANIAN FOLK SONGS
SUNNYSIDE 1580 (Barcode: 016728158022) ~ ROMANIA ~ Jazz-World Fusion
Recorded: 2018 Released: 2020
This is an album by the international trio comprising of Romanian pianist Lucian BanFind albums by this artist, British saxophonist / bass clarinetist John SurmanFind albums by this artist and American violist Mat ManeriFind albums by this artist. The trio performs nine Transylvanian Folk songs originally transcribed by the great Hungarian composer Bela BartokFind albums by this artist during his ethnomusicological studies in the early 20th Century, during which he transcribed thousands of Folk pieces.
The beautiful Folk melodies are gently treated by the trio members, somewhere between their original melodic core interpretations and improvised vistas, mostly explored by Surman, who is the main soloist and who’s playing here is a tour de force of Jazz improvisation.
The interplay between the three musicians is very intimate and the sound of the trio is perfectly balanced, which produces a highly aesthetical journey through an amalgam of East European / Balkan music and Jazz improvisation, which should delight all true Jazz lovers.
This album received relatively little coverage on the international Jazz scene, perhaps due to the pandemics or the fact that most journalists did not know how to “swallow” this multilayered, complex but beautiful music. Perhaps the most important aspect of this music is its universality, proving again that music knows no borders, and any music created by people can be loved and accepted by all people, regardless of their Cultural backgrounds.
Overall, this is a stunning piece of music, which deserves to be heard all over the world, and which despite its initial “peculiarity” can easily break all barriers, creating a true intellectual pleasure storm. Not to be missed under any circumstances!
| | Updated: 30/04/2022Posted: 30/04/2022 | CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend |
  | CHICK COREA ~ PORTRAITS
STRETCH 888072356030 (Barcode: 888072356030) ~ USA ~ Jazz
Recorded: 2011 - 2012 Released: 2014
As incredible as it might sound, pianist / composer Chick CoreaFind albums by this artist has been an integral and continuous element of the soundtrack of my life for the last five decades. I travelled with him hand in hand through every album he released over the years, moving from modern Jazz, to Free and Improvised Music, to piano solo miniatures, to Fusion, back to modern mainstream, to piano-vibraphone duets, to piano duets, to electric groups and acoustic trios, to Classical explorations and on and on. What a journey...
As usual every new album by Chick is an adventure. It´s been a while since he released a solo piano album and this 2CD set full of outstanding solo performances is a true delight in every sense. All the music was recorded live during his solo piano performances in Europe, Canada and US (and even Africa). On the first CD Chick performs several lengthy interpretations of pieces by Thelonious MonkFind albums by this artist, Bud PowellFind albums by this artist and Bill EvansFind albums by this artist, one standard and one pop song by Stevie WonderFind albums by this artist. The last track on the first CD is his composition dedicated to Paco De LuciaFind albums by this artist. On the second CD he performs twenty five miniatures, first by Classical composers Alexander ScriabinFind albums by this artist and Bela BartokFind albums by this artist and then two sets of his own compositions grouped under the common titles: "Children´s Songs" and "Portraits". Both CDs include Chick´s spoken interludes explaining his intentions and motivations behind the music he performs.
It seems pretty superfluous to try and explain anything about the music herein. Obviously it presents a wide scope of cultural backgrounds from Classical European music to modernism and than Jazz and its various facets and finally the personal universe of Chick Corea, which is able to contain all that infinite richness and expand upon it. Chick´s way of playing is very personal and quite recognizable to his followers and connoisseurs, so there are no great surprises in that area, except that for a man in his seventies Chick is infinitely more alive, creative and inventive than today´s young zombie generation stuck inside their smart phones.
Technically the music is superbly recorded, with excellent detail and warm ambience, which makes listening to this album a delightful experience. Chick is still one of the leaders of the Jazz pack and life seems to treat him and his music well, for which we all should be grateful. Listening for two hours to this music is a trip to sanity so put your feet up and enjoy as long as you can.
| | Updated: 26/08/2020Posted: | CD 2 Mini-Sleeve Recommend To A Friend |
  | CHICK COREA / NICOLAS ECONOMOU ~ ON TWO PIANOS
DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON 028947900115 (Barcode: 028947900115) ~ USA ~ Jazz-Classical Fusion
Recorded: 1982 Released: 2012
Pianist / composer Chick CoreaFind albums by this artist is well known for his amazing versatility (among other things), which is expressed by the many different settings in which he performs. His love for the piano duet is universally acclaimed, starting with his legendary duet recordings / performances with Herbie HancockFind albums by this artist in the late 1970s. Since then he repeatedly returned to the piano duet with many other pianists, like Hiromi UeharaFind albums by this artist, Stefano BollaniFind albums by this artist and others. This album is a most welcome reissue of the 1982 recording of the piano duet performances with Corea and the great Cypriot pianist Nicolas EconomouFind albums by this artist, who died tragically at the ridiculous early age of 40 in a car accident. The live recording comprises of two improvised pieces (one of which is an extended suite 26 minutes long), two Corea compositions and six short pieces from the Bela BartokFind albums by this artist "Mikrokosmos" cycle. The performances are, as one might expect, absolutely brilliant and although Economou comes primarily from the Classical music sphere, the two musicians converse openly and quite telepathically. Considering the fact that these recordings were never previously reissued on CD and unavailable for almost 30 years, it´s great to see them back in circulation. A must to all Corea fans and people who lave piano music!
| | | CD 1 Recommend To A Friend |
  | BENCE VAS & BIG BAND ~ OVERTURE ET AL.
NOT ON LABEL (Barcode: 794712431091) ~ HUNGARY ~ Big Band Jazz
Recorded: 2020 Released: 2020
This is the fifth album by Hungarian (resident in Poland) organist / composer Bence VasFind albums by this artist, this time recorded with a Hungarian Big Band comprising of some of the best young Hungarian Jazz / Contemporary Music players, most members of the Modern Art OrchestraFind albums by this artist (MAO), conducted by Daniel DinnyesFind albums by this artist. The solo parts are performed by Vas, pianist Gabor CsekeFind albums by this artist and saxophonist Kristof BacsoFind albums by this artist. The album presents a five-part suite, composed by Vas.
The music is an amalgam of Jazz and orchestral music, with contemporary Classical Music ties, all tightly composed with little space for improvisation. Vas indicates that he was inspired by Bela BartokFind albums by this artist, hardly surprising in his case, but other influences are also clearly evident. The music offers highly melodious and harmonious serenity, which make it accessible to a wide spectrum of music lovers.
The sound of the organ, supported by a Big Band / Orchestra, is highly original, contrasting the usual Rock / Jazz small combo setting. This is in fact the second album Vas recorded with a Big Band, which indicates his affinity for that format.
The performances are all very professional and the Big Band / Orchestra offers the usual magnificent power of a big ensemble, which works splendidly as an accompaniment for the soli and of course on its own merit.
Overall this is a very pleasant, well put together and performed piece of music, which should satisfy many music lovers, not necessary from any specific genre. The wonderful sound of the Big Band and the melodic contents offer a joy ride, supported by the great sound quality of the recording.
| | Updated: 26/03/2021Posted: 26/03/2021 | CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend |
  | FRANK ZAPPA ~ MAKE A JAZZ NOISE HERE
ZAPPA 3883 (Barcode: 824302388327) ~ USA ~ Avant-Garde Jazz-Rock Fusion
Recorded: 1988 Released: 2012
This is a reissue / remaster of the 57th album by iconic American guitarist / composer / bandleader / visionary Frank ZappaFind albums by this artist, originally released in 1991. The 2CD album presents twenty-five tracks, which include mostly original songs by Zappa, except for a couple of arrangements of Classical Music pieces by Igor StravinskyFind albums by this artist and Bela BartokFind albums by this artist, which is relatively a rare event on Zappa’s albums. The music was recorded live during Zappa’s 1988 tour, which was sadly his last. It is one of four live albums recorded during this tour, together with “Broadway The Hard WayFind albums with this title”, “The Best Band You Never Heard In Your LifeFind albums with this title” and “Zappa `88: The Last U.S. ShowFind albums with this title”.
The lineup that recorded the music includes Zappa on guitar and vocals, guitarists Ike WillisFind albums by this artist and Mike KeneallyFind albums by this artist, keyboardist Robert MartinFind albums by this artist, percussionist Ed MannFind albums by this artist, trumpeter Walt FowlerFind albums by this artist, trombonist Bruce FowlerFind albums by this artist, saxophonists Paul CarmanFind albums by this artist, Albert WingFind albums by this artist and Kurt McGettrickFind albums by this artist, bassist Scott ThunesFind albums by this artist and drummer Chad WackermanFind albums by this artist. It reflects Zappa’s love of orchestral arrangements, which of course were meticulously conceived and brilliantly executed by this excellent team. The undertones of a Broadway show, which this album presents, are a pinnacle of Zappa’s mastery and a cruel twist.
With passing time, Zappa’s cynicism and radical criticism of American politics, organized religion, show business and general stupidity became more bitter and plain painful at times. His idea to shake his audiences, had sadly little effect, as we can see with the world getting worse and stupider consistently. The absurdity of the beautiful melodic songs crafted by Zappa, which were accompanied by his toxic lyrics is absolutely amazing. However, as we all know, protest songs never managed to make a dent in the way our world is being conducted, especially so in America – Woody GuthrieFind albums by this artist, Pete SeegerFind albums by this artist, Bob DylanFind albums by this artist and eventually Zappa, all failed miserably – a magnificent failure it was indeed!
Overall, although over thirty years passed since this music was recorded, this album remains an absolute Classic in every respect, which stands proudly as an icon of superb music, which still shines brighter than almost anything else recorded since. Zappa’s genius, not only as a musician, but also as a visionary and a brilliant observer of the human condition and American folly and deceit, remain completely relevant and are even more actual today than ever.
Side Note
Frank Zappa created a vast recorded legacy during his lifetime, which is continuously being expanded using music recorded and stored in his extensive vault. The albums officially released and approved by Zappa are numbered sequentially in the "Official Release" series, from #001 to the last release so far #126. The albums between #001 to #062 were released during Zappa's lifetime and all the others were released posthumously. There are countless unofficial / bootleg releases on the market as well.
Zappa's catalogue was remastered for CD release twice: in 1995 for the RykodiscFind albums on this label releases and again in 2012 for the ZappaFind albums on this label Records / UniversalFind albums on this label releases. The Zappa / Universal program includes 60 releases, which cover the entire catalog released during his lifetime (62 releases, except #013 "200 Motels" and the three Box Sets #043, #046 and #049 called "The Old Masters vol.I / II / III"), and 6 posthumous releases (#064, #065, #067, #068, #093 and #094), which were also included.
| | Updated: 22/09/2022Posted: 13/03/2022 | CD 2 Remastered Recommend To A Friend |
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