Record Reviews

HANKA GREGUSOVA ~ ESSENCE HEVHETIA 0082 (Barcode: 8588005257237) ~ SLOVAKIA ~ Jazz-World Fusion Recorded: 2014 Released: 2014 This is the second album by the Slovak vocalist Hanka GregusovaFind albums by this artist, which presents a beautiful tribute to Slovak Folklore. It features eleven folk songs, sung in Slovak and wonderfully arranged by pianist Ondrej KrajnakFind albums by this artist, who leads a Jazz quartet with bassist Josef FecoFind albums by this artist, drummer Marian SevcikFind albums by this artist and percussionist Stefan BugalaFind albums by this artist, which accompanies Gregusova on several tracks. On other tracks she is accompanied by a Folklore quartet, led by violinist Ivan HerakFind albums by this artist and featuring Josef Feco on cymbalon (also spelled cimbalom), Robert BoldiFind albums by this artist on viola and Marek BoldiFind albums by this artist on bass. One track features the combined forces of the Jazz and Folklore ensembles and the remaining tracks are more intimate trio, duet and solo vocal pieces. Several guest musicians also participate in the recording. This album is a classic example of what Jazz-World Fusion is all about and how it can be achieved successfully. Both the World music and Jazz idioms are given a respectful and graceful treatment, and are mixed with elegance and charm. The Jazz arrangements are of course further distanced from the original folk songs than the Folklore treatment, but the overall atmosphere and continuity of the album achieve a wonderful journey based on the Slovak Folklore transposed into contemporary musical language. Gregusova has a warm, well rounded voice which works both in the Jazz and the Folklore environment. Her phrasing on the Jazzy interpretations is simply superb and the solo vocal piece is deeply moving. Krajnak is a superb pianist and a most skillful arranger, which is obvious from what he achieved on this album, but all the musicians involved are also top notch. The recording quality and the sound of the album are also excellent. Overall this is an aesthetically pleasing and musically successful cross genre project, which manages to be original, while respectfully presenting traditional folkloristic heritage. Definitely a model to be followed and enjoyed!

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HANKA GREGUSOVA ~ UNIVERSAL ANCESTRY CULTURE BRIDGE 012022 (Barcode: 195269173159) ~ SLOVAKIA ~ Jazz-Pop Fusion Recorded: 2021 Released: 2022 This is the fourth album by Slovak Jazz vocalist Hanka GregusovaFind albums by this artist, and her first album recorded and released in the US, after she moved there and now appears under the Hanka GFind albums by this artist moniker. The album presents eleven tracks, eight of which are Jazz and Pop standards and three Slovak Folk songs, with English lyrics added by Gregusova. She is accompanied by a long list of American musicians and two Slovak female flute players on selected tracks. The move to the US, which is something many East European musicians often dream about, definitely suits Gregusova more than most others, as she always displayed a great love of American music roots, which is plainly evident on this album. The resulting music is obviously less Jazz oriented and offers a blend of Pop, Soul, Blues and some Jazz accents, all amalgamated into a slick, highly effective and excellently performed musical offering, which sounds overall as American as one might hope for. Gregusova in her new environment is still a superb vocalist, with sensitivities and idiosyncrasies which can only be envied by her peers. She is convincing and heartfelt, and listening to her is always a great pleasure. Although I miss her a bit in her Jazz capacity, I welcome her new path, which does hopefully not rule out returning to her Jazz roots in the future. Overall, this is a new Hanka Gregusova or Hanka G, but still a vocalist strong as ever, fascinating and enthralling, which hopefully will achieve everything she wishes for in the land of unlimited possibilities. I certainly wish her to fulfill all her dreams!

Updated: 12/10/2022Posted: 12/10/2022

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HANKA GREGUSOVA / ONDREJ KRAJNAK ~ TWIN FLAME NOT ON LABEL (Barcode: 8588006797015) ~ SLOVAKIA ~ Jazz Recorded: 2016 Released: 2017 This is the third album by Slovak vocalist Hanka GregusovaFind albums by this artist (a.k.a. Hanka GFind albums by this artist), recorded in an intimate duo setting with pianist Ondrej KrajnakFind albums by this artist, who also arranged the music. It presents eight songs, six of which are classic Jazz standards, one is a composition by Slovak composer Ernest OlahFind albums by this artist and one is an original composition by Krajnak. Gregusova wrote original lyrics in English to three of the standards (which are originally instrumentals) and to the Olah and Krajnak compositions. The album, recorded following her move to NY, finds Gregusova returning to her Gospel / Blues / Jazz roots, away from the direction of her previous album, which was dedicated to Slovak Folklore. The intimate vocals / piano setting inspires a unique atmosphere of a smoke filled Jazz club sometime in the 1950s, where a vocalist delivers her heartbreaking vocals to mesmerized listeners holding a glass of whiskey in their hands. The piano provides a wonderful accompaniment to her vocals, somewhat back in the background, carefully trying not to veil the velvety vocals. Most of the songs are very low key, slow tempo ballads, which of course are the most difficult to be performed by a vocalist. Gregusova shows no signs of hesitation or shyness and moves through the material with ease and elegance. Amicably supported by Krajnak, who plays a few wonderfully lyrical solos, the vocalist delivers her sensuous phrases with theatrical dramatics and highly musical approach. Although English is not Gregusova´s mother tongue, her delivery of the English lyrics is completely acceptable, in contrast to the attempts by other Eastern European vocalist, who usually fail pathetically in this department. Overall this is a wonderful intimate vocal album, which is best listened to with a glass of wine in one´s hand and a dimmed room, which is the next best thing to hearing Gregusova live. The album offers excellent music beautifully performed, which is simply everything one can ask for. A must for Jazz vocals connoisseurs!

Updated: 31/05/2017Posted: 31/05/2017

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