Record Reviews
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  | EERO KOIVISTOINEN ~ ALTERED PICTURES
SVART 529 (Barcode: 6430077094710) ~ FINLAND ~ Jazz
This is a 3CD reissue of the two albums by iconic Finnish saxophonist / composer / bandleader Eero KoivistoinenFind albums by this artist recorded originally in the US in 1983 and 1991.
CD1 presents the album “Picture In Three ColorsFind albums with this title” recorded by a sextet, which includes Koivistoinen with American musicians: trumpeter Tom HarrellFind albums by this artist, pianist Jim McNeelyFind albums by this artist, guitarist John ScofieldFind albums by this artist, bassist Ron McClureFind albums by this artist and drummer Jack DeJohnetteFind albums by this artist. The album presents six original compositions, all by the leader. The album was originally released on Koivistoinen’s new (at the time) self-owned record label ProFind albums on this label Records.
CD2 presents the album “Altered ThingsFind albums with this title” recorded by a septet, which includes Koivistoinen with American musicians: trumpeter Randy BreckerFind albums by this artist, trombonist Conrad HerwigFind albums by this artist, pianist David KikoskiFind albums by this artist, Scofield, McClure and DeJohnette. Norwegian keyboardist Bugge WesseltoftFind albums by this artist added synthesizer parts on three tracks during post production and mix, which was done at the Rainbow Studio in Oslo by Jan Erik KongshaugFind albums by this artist. The album presents ten original tracks, eight by the leader and one each by Finnish pianist / composer Seppo KantonenFind albums by this artist and McClure. The album was originally released on CD only on the Dutch TimelessFind albums on this label Records label, owned by Wim WigtFind albums by this artist, who produced the album.
CD3 presents eight bonus tracks, five from the first album and three from the second, which include both outtakes and alternate takes, all by the leader except one composition by McClure.
The music is all within the modern mainstream Jazz tradition, showcasing Koivistoinen’s brilliant composing / arranging skills and superb performances by some of the best American Jazz musicians active at the time.
Koivistoinen’s ties with American Jazz go back in time to the years spent at the Berklee College of Music in Boston, where he absorbed the knowledge he would brilliantly utilize during his future career. He always showed a deep respect towards the American Jazz tradition, but at the same time presented a highly individual voice, which went beyond the boundaries of that tradition and incorporated European musical values and his native Finnish influences, turning him into one of the most versatile and prominent European Jazz personalities, as the music included here brilliantly exemplifies.
It is of course great to see these two important albums expanded and made available again, thanks to the exemplary work done by SvartFind albums on this label Records, which treats the Finnish musical treasures with the respect they deserve, preserving the Cultural values, which are perhaps more important today than ever, in these dark days.
| | Updated: 22/02/2022Posted: 20/02/2022 | CD 3 Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend |
  | PIOTR LEMANCZYK QUART-ER ~ LIVE IN KLUB ZAK
SOLITON 580 (Barcode: 5901571095806) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz
Recorded: 2016 Released: 2016
This is a live recording by a quartet led by Polish Jazz bassist / composer Piotr LemanczykFind albums by this artist, which features three American Jazz musicians: saxophonist Walter Smith IIIFind albums by this artist, pianist David KikoskiFind albums by this artist and drummer Colin StranahanFind albums by this artist. Polish trombonist Grzegorz NagorskiFind albums by this artist joins the quartet on three tracks, expanding the lineup to a quintet. The album presents seven tunes, six of which are original compositions by Lemanczyk and one is a standard.
Although Lemanczyk is definitely one of my favorite contemporary Polish Jazz musicians / composers, this album leaves me with mixed feelings, especially in comparison to his earlier recordings as a leader or sideman. Obviously since the majority of the players on this album are American, the music has almost nothing to do with Polish Jazz and should not be considered as such. Even the compositions by Lemanczyk are not able to save the day, and overall this sounds as just like one of thousands of American Jazz recordings which flood the market and are then immediately forgotten.
Of course these musicians can all play very well and have been doing so since many years, but on the other hand they have been playing the same post-Bebop stuff since their student days at the Berklee College of Music (well just two of the Americans studied there). This album might have been recorded anytime between now and fifty years ago, and we wouldn´t be able to tell the difference. In short I can understand the desire to play with renowned musicians, but the fact that those musicians come from the mainstream American scene might prove to be a drawback rather than an advantage.
Of course fans of mainstream American Jazz will find this album as exciting as anything else in that genre, and the two Polish musicians play at least as good as the Americans, if not better. Considering the excellent recording quality and the nice tunes by Lemanczyk, this is still an album worth listening to, but hardly anything that will change the Jazz idiom.
| | Updated: 31/12/2016Posted: 31/12/2016 | CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend |
  | KESTUTIS VAIGINIS ~ MUSICAL CONVERSATIONS
NOT ON LABEL (Barcode: 4772145016999) ~ LITHUANIA ~ Jazz
Recorded: 2020 Released: 2021
This is an album by Lithuanian saxophonist / composer Kestutis VaiginisFind albums by this artist recorded in NY in a classic sextet setting with Russian (resident in US) trumpeter Alex SipiaginFind albums by this artist and Boris KozlovFind albums by this artist and American trombonist Andy HunterFind albums by this artist, pianist David KikoskiFind albums by this artist and drummer Donald EdwardsFind albums by this artist. A string quartet is featured on one track. The album presents eleven original compositions, four by the leader, two each by Sipiagin and Edwards and one each by Kikoski, Kozlov and Hunter.
The music is all within the modern mainstream Jazz idiom, based on very solid and coherent compositions, including several lyrical ballads, which are excellent. The performances and the recording quality are absolutely perfect, as expected from these world class musicians.
Most of the soloing is naturally performed by the leader, who plays soprano, alto and tenor saxophones and bass clarinet, all with the same level of excellence. But all the members of the sextet get ample opportunity to show their licks.
Overall, this is a classic mainstream Jazz album, which offers first-rate music and performances from start to finish, diverse compositions and obvious aesthetic values. It is a relatively rare opportunity to hear Jazz originating from Lithuania, which is less prominent outside the country’s borders. It is also a wonderful proof of the camaraderie and complete lack of barriers between Jazz musicians from all over the world. One can only wish that similar harmony could be achieved in other areas. Very well done, indeed!
| | Updated: 21/02/2022Posted: 21/02/2022 | CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend |
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