Record Reviews

MAGNUS BAKKEN ~ CYCLES AMP 005 (Barcode: 662578830979) ~ NORWAY ~ Jazz Recorded: 2015 Released: 2015 This is the debut album by Norwegian saxophonist / composer Magnus BakkenFind albums by this artist, recorded in a quartet setting with pianist Jorn OienFind albums by this artist, bassist Christian Meaas SvendsenFind albums by this artist and drummer Jon Audun BaarFind albums by this artist. The album also features veteran American saxophonist George GarzoneFind albums by this artist, Bakken´s teacher at the Berklee College of Music, where he studied. The album presents seven original compositions, all by Bakken. The music is adventurous modern mainstream Jazz, which combines the American influences Bakken absorbed at Berklee with his natural Nordic inspirations, which overall is quite impressive. The themes are very lyrical and often melancholic, beautifully melodic and heartfelt. The level of the compositions is definitely very impressive, especially in the case of a debut album. Lucky for Bakken the Berklee influence did not manage to destroy his individuality. The execution is also excellent from start to finish. Oien plays some remarkable solo parts and supplies the melodic chord structure all along. The rhythm section is inventive and non-aggressive, carrying the music forward with elegance and flair. The saxophonists, both individually and as a team, play along splendidly, creating many intriguing solo parts. Garzone definitely plays more interestingly here, accompanied by the young Norwegians, than on his American recordings. Overall this is a splendid debut offer by Bakken, both as a player and a composer, which certainly shows his enormous potential and promises great things to come in the future.

Updated: 20/10/2017Posted: 20/10/2017

CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend

MORDY FERBER ~ MR. X HALF NOTE 4205 (Barcode: 015095420527) ~ ISRAEL ~ Jazz Recorded: 1995 Released: 2000 This is the 2nd album as a leader by Israeli guitarist / composer Mordy FerberFind albums by this artist, recorded with a spectacular lineup, which includes American saxophonists Dave LiebmanFind albums by this artist and George GarzoneFind albums by this artist, keyboardist Brad HatfieldFind albums by this artist, bassist Eddie GomezFind albums by this artist, drummer Jack DeJohnetteFind albums by this artist and Brazilian percussionist Nana VasconcelosFind albums by this artist. The album presents seven tracks, six of which are original compositions by Ferber and one is by Charlie HadenFind albums by this artist. This is a second edition of the album. Ferber, born in 1958 near Haifa, was one of the several young Israeli musicians, who frequented my home while growing up and getting into Jazz, partly under my influence. By the end of the 1970s and in early 1980s Ferber became a most sought after Israeli session guitarists and took part in recording many legendary albums at the time. He left to study at Berklee, like many other Israeli Jazz musicians, and decided to stay in the US, visiting Israel occasionally. The music floats between melodic contemporary Jazz and some more Fusion influenced pieces, all beautifully put together and performed by this highly talented team. His guitar performances are nothing short of stellar and the entire album is a great piece of delightful music, which sadly never achieved the proper attention on the US scene, which has always been flooded by way too many releases. He recorded several more albums but his output sadly does not reflect his great talent, which is a great pity. Overall, this is a beautiful album, full of great music and spectacular playing, which is criminally little known both in Israel and on the global scene. The contributions by Eddie Gomez are especially stunning and alone worth getting a copy of this album. Of course guitar enthusiasts should be also fully satisfied. A great piece of personal nostalgia for me.

Updated: 07/09/2024Posted: 18/07/2024

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend

GEORGE GARZONE ~ ALONE NYC 6018 ~ USA ~ Jazz George GarzoneFind albums by this artist is a very versatile tenor saxophonist who can play both inside and outside. This particular recording finds Garzone sticking mostly to standards (including "Spring Can Really Hang You Up the Most," "Night and Day," "What Is This Thing Called Love," and "Nature Boy"), plus two of his originals and one song by guitarist Chuck LoebFind albums by this artist. Garzone is featured with up to six other players, including pianist David KikoskiFind albums by this artist, bassist Eddie GomezFind albums by this artist, and drummer Lenny WhiteFind albums by this artist, and there are two vocals for Luciana SouzaFind albums by this artist. Garzone´s warm tone and unpredictable style (he occasionally hints at going outside) keep this music stimulating. Well worth checking out.

Updated: 18/07/2024Posted:

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend