Record Reviews

ALEX BAND ~ ZDERZENIE MYSLI GAD 014 (Barcode: 5901549197167) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion Recorded: 1979 Released: 2014 This is a reissue of the debut album by the Polish Big Band ensemble Alex BandFind albums by this artist, which was one of very few bands playing instrumental Brass Rock and mixing Jazz-Rock Fusion, Funk and Soul active in Eastern Europe. The band was founded and led by Aleksander MaliszewskiFind albums by this artist and included a seven-piece brass section and a seven-piece rhythm section, with three keyboardists, i.e. a fifteen-piece (including the leader) band – definitely a unique lineup, especially so in Poland which at the time was still very much behind the Iron Curtain. The album included eight original compositions, all by the band members, and for this reissue was expanded by three bonus tracks, one being a studio outtake from the album and two originating from a non-album single released by the band. The music is beautifully performed and recorded, with a very unique sound and ambience, which sets it apart from almost anything else recorded at the time. Concept and sound wise it is probably closest to the early Earth, Wind & FireFind albums by this artist, less the vocals of course. In retrospect this music still sounds fresh and vital, as it was at the time of the recording. Considering the very high level of the compositions and a marvelous execution, there is no way this music will be ever outdated. Reissuing this jewel is another credit to the GADFind albums on this label Records label, which time after time manages to uncover yet another glorious glimpse of the past that in most cases was completely forgotten till now. The music on this album is a first-class example of skillful arrangements and brilliant recording, which should be studied by today´s music students. Of course let´s not forget that this music was also meant to be fun, and fun it is indeed. It would sound great at any cool party and its quality puts easily to bed most of the terrible music made today and heard in public. If you can lay your hands on this gem, don´t hesitate even for a moment!

CD 1 Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend

GEORGE DUKE ~ THE COMPLETE 1970S EPIC ALBUMS COLLECTION SONY 886979303225 (Barcode: 886979303225) ~ USA ~ Jazz-Rock-World Fusion Recorded: 1977 - 1979 Released: 2012 American keyboardist / composer George DukeFind albums by this artist is definitely one of the most colorful, dynamic, brilliant and versatile musical personalities on the scene. With a career spanning five decades and activities covering such diverse sub-genres as mainstream Jazz, Jazz-Rock Fusion, Rock, Funk and Jazz-World Fusion, Duke made over the years an enormous impact on the development of contemporary music. Following a several years long association (early to mid 1970s) with the legendary German MPSFind albums on this label label, where Duke released his revolutionary early Fusion albums, he switched to the EpicFind albums on this label label (a subsidiary of ColumbiaFind albums on this label), where he recorded six albums between 1977 and 1979, all of which are included in this wonderful Box Set. The Epic recordings reveal Duke gradually moving away from the Jazz and even Fusion roots, replacing those by Funk and other popular music influences. Only the last album in this set ("A Brazilian Love AffairFind albums with this title") is different and presents Duke as a Jazz-World Fusion artist, with an obvious affinity for Brazilian music. On that album he is supported by several famous Brazilian musicians, including vocalist Milton NascimentoFind albums by this artist, percussionist Airto MoreiraFind albums by this artist, vocalist Flora PurimFind albums by this artist, guitarist Toninho HortaFind albums by this artist and many others, in addition to his American regulars. On all the albums he plays with an excellent group of musicians, which includes his long-time friend bassist Stanley ClarkeFind albums by this artist, drummer Leon Ndugu ChanclerFind albums by this artist, bassist Byron MillerFind albums by this artist, percussionist Sheila EscovedoFind albums by this artist and numerous others, including many brass players as well, which shows a clear influence of Earth, Wind & FireFind albums by this artist on Duke´s music at the time. Duke composed all the music on these albums (with very few minor exceptions) and he also utilizes his vocals, which is the most criticized issue regarding this music. As much as these albums were successful on the US market, they were treated with disrespect and sheer detest by his European and Japanese fans, who accused him of commerciality. The problem was of course, that this music should have not been compared to or judged by the same criteria as his earlier output, which was completely different stylistically. In retrospect this music still sounds great and lost nothing of its power and ingenuity, providing it is treated separately from Duke´s other output. The tunes are great, as are the performances, and one can´t resist the funky rhythms unless one is completely deaf or brain-dead. There are very few musicians, who display the same level of integrity and ingenuity as George Duke in everything they do over the years. He is the man and nobody can deny it!

Updated: 26/01/2019Posted:

CD 6 Mini-Sleeve Box Set Remastered Recommend To A Friend

EARTH, WIND & FIRE ~ THE COLUMBIA MASTERS SONY 886978946928 (Barcode: 886978946928) ~ USA ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion Recorded: 1972 - 1990 Released: 2011 American ensemble Earth, Wind & FireFind albums by this artist epitomizes the best in American popular music in the 1970s and 1980s, especially the music made by Afro-American musicians in these two decades. Following the two revolutionary decades (1950s and 1960s), during which Afro-Americans invented Rock And Roll and Soul, they moved now into Funk, which usually also included some Jazz elements. None of the ensembles active in the 1970s and 1980s came close to Earth, Wind & Fire in creating such an eloquent and aesthetically perfect collection of music, which amalgamated Pop, Rock, Soul, Funk and Jazz, like nobody else. Founded in 1969 by vocalist / drummer / songwriter Maurice WhiteFind albums by this artist, the band released a couple of albums on Warner Bros.Find albums on this label, before moving to ColumbiaFind albums on this label, where the impressive body of 15 albums was released between 1972 and 1990. The music combined superb vocal harmonies with a funky rhythm section and a sublime brass section, which sounded as good as Blood, Sweat & TearsFind albums by this artist and ChicagoFind albums by this artist at their best. The band enjoyed enormous commercial success, which didn´t damage their musical integrity one bit, which is quite exceptional and of course commendable. This beautiful Box Set includes all the albums the band released on Columbia and an additional CD of bonus material. Together this is a massive collection of timeless music, which only gets better with time. This is a perfect match of fun and honest musical achievement, which can be combined, as this music proves beyond a shadow of a doubt. A major piece of music history, which would make any serious record collection proud!

Updated: 26/01/2019Posted:

CD 16 Mini-Sleeve Box Set Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend

KRZYSZTOF HERDZIN ~ DANCING FLOWERS FUSION 001 (Barcode: 5907564258012) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion Recorded: 2001 Released: 2005 This album by Polish keyboardist / composer / arranger Krzysztof HerdzinFind albums by this artist presents yet another aspect of his seemingly universal musical personality. It is basically a Funk album, which consists of seven instrumentals and three songs, all composed by Herdzin. The arrangements, especially those involving the horn section, have some proximity to Jazz, but overall it is a Pop album with some Jazz-Rock Fusion elements. The music is performed by an excellent team, which includes guitarist Marek NapiorkowskiFind albums by this artist, bassists Zbigniew WegehauptFind albums by this artist (in a rare appearance on bass guitar), Filip SojkaFind albums by this artist and Miroslaw WisniewskiFind albums by this artist and drummers Cezary KonradFind albums by this artist, Grzegorz GrzybFind albums by this artist and Michal DabrowkaFind albums by this artist and horn players like saxophonists Michal KulentyFind albums by this artist, Marek PodkowaFind albums by this artist and Mariusz MelczarekFind albums by this artist and several others. The vocals are handled by three young Pop vocalists, two female and one male, all of them quite unimpressive The music is based on the American Funk model, which was developed in the 1970s / 1980s by a plentitude of mostly African American musicians, especially the archetypical Earth, Wind & FireFind albums by this artist, but also by many partly Jazz oriented artists like George DukeFind albums by this artist, Stanley ClarkeFind albums by this artist, Grover Washington, Jr.Find albums by this artist and even Miles DavisFind albums by this artist and Herbie HancockFind albums by this artist during some periods of their extensive careers. Herdzin presents his version of Funk, which is based more on the melodic content than the rhythmic progression and is therefore somewhat softened, or simply more European. Herdzin often states that anything he does is by no means inferior to whatever the Americans are doing, and to tell the truth he is often correct when saying so, but on the other hand as it was once so adequately put: "White Man Can´t Jump" and Funk is after all about "jumping" more than anything else. When asked if he ever played Funk, Herdzin can most certainly answer positively, following this recording. Overall this is a well done, pleasant album (except for the vocal tracks), which is ideal for driving on sunny days (pretty rare in Poland) with the volume up and a pretty blonde beside you. Enjoy!

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend

STARK BAND ~ STARK BAND NOT ON LABEL (Barcode: 9008798181506) ~ SLOVAKIA ~ Pop & Rock Recorded: 2015 Released: 2015 This is the debut album by young Slovak Funk / Soul ensemble called Stark BandFind albums by this artist, which is an octet fronted by female vocalist Katarina DemskaFind albums by this artist and featuring a brass section: Tomas JavnickyFind albums by this artist on saxophone, Frantisek BabcakFind albums by this artist on trumpet and Ivan KopecekFind albums by this artist on trombone, and a smoking rhythm section: guitarist Juraj KovacFind albums by this artist, keyboardist Peter TelepcakFind albums by this artist, bassist Peter KocisFind albums by this artist and drummer Lukas KorchnakFind albums by this artist. The album presents nine original compositions, eight of which feature vocals (in English and Slovak), most of which were co-composed by Kovac and Telepcak with lyrics by Kovac or Demska and Kovac. Telepcak was in charge of the brass arrangements. Why on earth would I write about this album? Well life is a series of coincidences and this album landing in my lap (so to speak) is one of them. About a month ago I stayed in the beautiful Slovak town of Kosice and Stark Band played a concert in a pub just across the street of my hotel. I was completely knocked out by the energy and talent of these young musicians and asked them if they already made an album, which they did – this is it. Ergo it´s been playing in my car and at my home ever since. Stark Band creates a wonderful combination of vintage Funk / Soul, somewhat similar to the Earth, Wind & FireFind albums by this artist idiom, with contemporary Pop sound, all spiced with vitality, elegance and good taste. The songs are all incredibly catchy and yet sophisticated melodically and harmonically, immediately placing the music on a much higher plane that most contemporary Pop music. The Jazzy brass arrangements add flavor and flair to the tunes, as do the scorching guitar solos and the Funky rhythm section keeps the tunes moving forward and the listeners moving their heaps and feet to the pulse. Demska has a fine soulful voice and even manages to get away safely with the English lyrics. Some bands like Stark Band work only live and their recordings are quite pale in comparison with the on stage performances, but this album manages to preserve the band´s spirit quite well. Considering the fact that it was self produced by the band, it really is a superb calling card and a most impressive debut. Of course I already look forward to hear their sophomore outing. This kind of music should not be overanalyzed – it is meant to give the audience a good time and at the same time convey an artistic message – this album does both of these tasks admirably. I am definitely happy that out paths have crossed and hope they will cross again in the future. Thanks for the music!

CD 1 Mini-Sleeve Recommend To A Friend