Record Reviews

KARIN KROG / MORTEN GUNNAR LARSEN ~ IN A RAG BAG MEANTIME 19 (Barcode: 7041880101923) ~ NORWAY ~ Jazz Recorded: 2012 Released: 2012 This is a lovely album by iconic Norwegian vocalist Karin KrogFind albums by this artist and pianist Morten Gunnar LarsenFind albums by this artist, recorded live in Oslo. The album presents fourteen tracks, which are a tribute to Ragtime Jazz, five of which are compositions by Fats WallerFind albums by this artist, one is by Scott JoplinFind albums by this artist, one is an original by Larsen and the rest are by various other composers. Larsen is a renowned stride piano specialist with numerous recordings to his credit, and his playing is absolutely delightful. Krog is a universal Jazz vocalist and seems to feel perfectly at hope with early Jazz, as much as she does in Avant-Garde. Together they are just perfect, performing the music with panache and obvious feeling, which results in a delicious serving of nostalgic Jazz history, going back a Century of so. Of course Ragtime lost nothing of its joy and elegance and it is a pity it is so rarely performed these days. This album certainly proves that the loss is all ours. Overall, this is a true gem of an album, which Jazz lovers should have a field day with, if they truly love Jazz as much as they think. Brilliant piano technique and idiosyncratic vocals by one of the greatest European Jazz vocalists should be enough for everybody. What a joy!

Updated: 06/05/2022Posted: 06/05/2022

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AKI TAKASE ~ PLAYS FATS WALLER ENJA 9152 (Barcode: 767522915228) ~ JAPAN ~ Free Jazz / Improvised Music Recorded: 2003 Released: 2004 This is an album by Japanese (resident in Germany) pianist / composer Aki TakaseFind albums by this artist, recorded with an excellent team of German musicians: bass clarinetist Rudi MahalFind albums by this artist, trombonist Nils WogramFind albums by this artist, trumpeter Thomas HebererFind albums by this artist, drummer Paul LovensFind albums by this artist and American vocalist / banjoist / guitarist Eugene ChadbourneFind albums by this artist. The album presents fifteen, mostly short tracks, and as the title suggests most of which were composed by the great American pianist / composer Fats WallerFind albums by this artist, with six original compositions by Takase also included. The music moves constantly between the Stride Jazz, associated with Waller, and the completely modern / Free Jazz, which is the usual modus operandi of the musicians playing on the album, creating a wonderful stylistic see-saw and a brilliant musical experience. People expecting to hear here straightforward interpretation of Harlem Jazz from the 1920s and 1930s are in for a real big surprise ;) Takase transforms Waller’s smoothly into the 21st Century, ignoring stylistic constrains and seeming “ignoring” the traditions, but of course a trained ear easily hears the genius involved. It’s not a coincidence that Takase has been one of my all-time favorite pianist and bandleaders, and this album is a perfect example of her super-human abilities. Obviously it takes some intellectual effort to recognize the manipulations applied to the original compositions and the transformation path they go through herein, but the satisfaction is absolutely guaranteed. Overall, this is a brilliant example of Takase’s genius, and her unique way of treating the Jazz tradition, bringing them into contemporary Jazz. The excellent team stands up to the challenge without a hitch and this music, despite its curves and twists, is a highly aesthetic journey into the unexpected. Wholeheartedly recommended!

Updated: 16/12/2023Posted: 16/12/2023

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend