Record Reviews

CHICK COREA ~ TRILOGY STRETCH 888072356856 (Barcode: 888072356856) ~ USA ~ Jazz Recorded: 2010 - 2012 Released: 2014 This is an album by the American Jazz pianist / composer / bandleader Chick CoreaFind albums by this artist recorded with his trio which includes bassist Christian McBrideFind albums by this artist and drummer Brian BladeFind albums by this artist. Three guest musicians appear on selected tracks. The music was recorded live during two extended tours by this trio. The album presents seventeen tracks, which are a mixture of five Corea originals, eleven standards and one Classical piece arranged by Corea, spread over 3 CDs. Corea (born 1941) has been one of the most prominent American Jazz musicians in the last six decades and his contribution to the genre is simply beyond putting it into words. He performed in many diverse Jazz environments but his solo piano and the classic piano trio work was always my absolute favorite part of his astounding musical heritage. As much as I admire his own compositions, his interpretations of Jazz standards are among the finest out there, in the same stratum as those by Herbie HancockFind albums by this artist and Keith JarrettFind albums by this artist. I have followed Corea´s recordings zealously for decades and had the pleasure to listen to him play many a time as well as meet him in person on several occasions. Anybody who ever heard Corea play live must have observed his superb ability to communicate with the audience and create an unprecedented rapport, which is almost always also present on his live recordings, including this one. The trio plays together marvelously and the age difference between the Master and his rhythm section is completely insignificant. A perfect balance as far as dividing the roles and exchanging solos, which is flawlessly documented by the outstanding recording quality, turns this album into an ecstatic (but also highly aesthetic) listening experience. Yes there is nothing new here and we have heard it all before – so what? Jazz of such high quality is like air and water – there is never too much of it. Corea proved over time that he is one of the most inquisitive American musicians, who tried everything Jazz has to offer between Jazz-Rock Fusion to Avant-Garde explorations, so he certainly can´t be accused of clinging to the weathered American Jazz formulas. Playing classic mainstream Jazz as good as the music presented here is always high Art. Hats off to you Maestro!

Updated: 17/07/2019Posted: 17/07/2019

CD 3 Digipak Recommend To A Friend

CHARLES LLOYD ~ THE SKY WILL STILL BE THERE TOMORROW BLUE NOTE 602458167948 (Barcode: 602458167948) ~ USA ~ Jazz Recorded: 2023 Released: 2024 This is a 2CD album by the iconic American saxophonist / flautist / composer Charles LloydFind albums by this artist, recorded in a classic quartet setting with pianist Jason MoranFind albums by this artist, bassist Larry GrenadierFind albums by this artist and drummer Brian BladeFind albums by this artist. The album presents fifteen tracks, all of which are original compositions by Lloyd or his arrangements of traditional tunes. The music is absolutely Divine, from start to finish, full of gentle melodies, heartbreaking melancholy and uplifting love. Lloyd’s heartfelt liner notes on the album’s cover say it all, summarizing his life in music. The last of the Great American Jazz Mohicans is still here with us, sharing with us a sublime bouquet of new and old compositions, for which we are grateful. The three companions playing alongside Lloyd are perfect for this album, and although this is the first time Blade is playing with Lloyd, the affinity and respect are all in place. Lloyd seems to be completely ageless on this album. Ignoring the tide of time, he is as creative, technically perfect and emotionally encompassing, as musicians half his age, and more. We can only hope to hear more new music from him, as he never fails to deliver in full. Overall, this is an absolute marvel of an album, with more that ninety minutes of music that never stops to caress and excite, truly ageless and universal. It is of course an essential piece of music, which deserves an honorable place in every record collection!

Updated: 23/05/2024Posted: 23/05/2024

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AGA ZARYAN ~ REMEMBERING NINA & ABBEY PARLOPHONE 5099940988122 (Barcode: 5099940988122) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 2013 Released: 2013 This is the eighth album by the Queen in residence of the Polish Jazz scene since several years, the wonderful Aga ZaryanFind albums by this artist. As the title clearly points out, Zaryan creates here a tribute to two remarkable Afro-American female vocalists, which she admires not only for their superb vocal abilities but also for what they stood for as public figures fighting against discrimination, abuse of human and civil rights, chauvinism and sexism, both openly voicing their opinions and willing to pay the price associated with such behavior at the time. The album presents thirteen songs, all of which are either written by or associated with Nina SimoneFind albums by this artist and Abbey LincolnFind albums by this artist. Zaryan is accompanied by a formidable team, which includes pianist Geri AllenFind albums by this artist, guitarist Larry KoonseFind albums by this artist, harpist Carol RobbinsFind albums by this artist, bassist Darek OleszkiewiczFind albums by this artist and drummer Brian BladeFind albums by this artist. Zaryan is known for her artistic courage, which she already proved several times during her career. This project is undoubtedly the boldest step she ever undertook, as Nina & Abbey are among the most idiosyncratic vocalist ever and in most cases any attempt to interpret their original work leads to miserable failure. Zaryan decided to approach this repertoire on her own ground, treating the songs with a new approach, reshaping them rather than trying to simply interpret them, and by doing this she managed to escape the intrinsic dangers and traps. Of course such treatment might be considered disrespectful by purists, but listening to sticklers is by definition contradictory the spirit of artistic innovation. One of the transformations Zaryan applied to all these songs was to slow them down, sometimes just slightly and in other cases considerably. As a result this album as a whole is deeply melancholic, a state of mind which Zaryan always uses to her advantage, as she is a Grand Mistress of lyricism and its dark corners and flickering lights. Yes, it is that famous Polish melancholy, which adds a new dimension to the original songs, amalgamating the black soul of Afro-American lyricism with the tormented Polish spirit. Another decisive factor, which creates the special atmosphere that this album conveys, is the limited and sparing usage of the instrumental accompaniment and the inclusion of the delicate harp, which ideally suits the mood. The musicians present here are all masters of their trade, which of course is easily audible, but the way Zaryan is positioned in the center of the stage with the instruments sympathetically supporting her, is simply remarkable; a classic example of personal graciousness, respect and modesty on their part. This is another important step for Zaryan, which expands yet again her overall position as complete Artists, this time putting aside the role of a composer of original material and concentrating on interpreting the work of other women. Hopefully we´ll hear her again soon singing her new original material. In the meantime this one should keep us worm for a while. Thank you Dear!

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