Record Reviews

KEMACA KINETIC ~ ZUKUNFT BERTHOLD 4250647323130 (Barcode: 4250647323130) ~ DENMARK ~ Avant-Garde Jazz-Rock Fusion Recorded: 2023 Released: 2023 This is the debut album by the Danish Fusion trio Kemaca KineticFind albums by this artist, comprised of guitarist Casper HejlesenFind albums by this artist, bassist Kenneth Dahl KnudsenFind albums by this artist and drummer Matias FischerFind albums by this artist. The album presents seven tracks, five of which were composed by Knudsen, one by Hejlesen and one by all the trio members. I have been following the career of Knudsen since his arrival on the European Jazz scene over a decade ago, and his projects have been always highly surprising, innovative and challenging, and this one is no exception. Although Fusion oriented, it is quite different from what is usually considered as Fusion. While featuring a lead electric guitar, the music amalgamates elements of Ambient, Electronics, the usual Rocky beats but also Free Improvisation and a plethora of other influences, all beautifully combined together into a unique, striking and uplifting whole. I have never heard of Hejlesen, but he certainly is a truly interesting and “different” guitarist, playing the usual and also completely unusual licks with ease and elegance. Certainly a player worth investigating. Fischer adds his energetic and tasteful rhythmic support, which pushes the music forward with a zest. I am mostly familiar with Knudsen’s work as acoustic bass player, but here he plays the electric bass, as usual with great musicality and precision. And of course his compositions are as strong as always, as he weaves truly magical melodies. Overall, this is a highly original Fusion album, completely unlike almost everything within the genre, and absolutely storming the listener’s brain. There are very few innovations within the Fusion idiom since it started decades ago, but this album certainly could be a sign of a resurrection of the somewhat stale musical environment. Well done Kenneth, my Friend, and hats off to all three of you!

Updated: 21/08/2023Posted: 21/08/2023

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LUBOS SOUKUP ~ AMBER RAILS ANIMAL MUSIC 152 (Barcode: 8594211850810) ~ CZECH REPUBLIC ~ Jazz Recorded: 2026 Released: 2026 This is an album by Czech Jazz saxophonist / clarinetist / composer Lubos SoukupFind albums by this artist, which marks his return home after several years of residence in Denmark, and features Czech Jazz musicians: pianist Jiri LevicekFind albums by this artist, legendary bassist Jaromir HonzakFind albums by this artist, and drummer Jakub SvejnarFind albums by this artist. Two guitarists appear as guests on selected tracks: Czech David DoruzkaFind albums by this artist and Danish Casper HejlesenFind albums by this artist. The album presents eight tracks, all original compositions by Soukup. The music is a wonderful collection of Modern Jazz compositions, full of the typical Czech melancholy and lyricism, which are almost immediately recognizable to Czech Jazz lovers. All the participants are excellent and highly experienced musicians, and the presence of Honzak, one of Czech Jazz Godfathers and former leader of ensembles, which included Soukup as a member, represents an ideal closing circle of generations, which of course happens on every Jazz scene in time. My fascination with the Czech Jazz scene started several decades ago and has always been one of the most satisfactory experiences, as it produced a distinguished league of great Jazz performers and composers, which keeps the embers glowing. This album is a typical example of the creativity and class of the Czech Jazz scene, which sadly is seldom recognized outside its borders, but truly deserves a wider recognition, despite its limited scope. Overall, this is a beautiful album, full of excellent compositions and high-class performances, which spearhead the European Jazz aesthetics, and offers a universal Cultural experience, wholeheartedly recommended to those Jazz lovers, who have not yet discovered the treasures of the Czech Jazz scene.

Updated: 04/11/2026Posted: 04/11/2026

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