Record Reviews

JERRY BERGONZI / JACEK KOCHAN / PIOTR LEMANCZYK ~ THREE POINT SHOT INTUITION 71302 (Barcode: 608917130225) ~ USA ~ Jazz Recorded: 2009 Released: 2010 This is an album by a trio comprising of American saxophonist / composer Jerry BergonziFind albums by this artist and a Polish rhythm section with bassist Piotr LemanczykFind albums by this artist and drummer Jacek KochanFind albums by this artist. The album presents eight tracks, three composed by Bergonzi, two each by Lemanczyk and Kochan and one by Finnish saxophonist Joonatan RautioFind albums by this artist. The music is modern Jazz, quite remote from the American tradition, despite the fact that Bergonzi played with many top American Jazz musicians for many years. The two Poles have a strong influence on the proceedings, both as composers and performers, and are both up to the challenge playing with Bergonzi without any inferiority feelings involved. The intimate trio format allows all three musicians to show their skills and talents, which of course are very impressive. Lemanczyk is definitely one of the top Polish Jazz bassists and a very able composer, and Kochan is utterly unique and original drummer, who follows his own rules and desires. Combined with Bergonzi’s refined skills and great experience, the trio is able to weave some very inspiring moments, which border on Free but never quite leave the melodic and rhythmic threads. Overall, this is a very impressive saxophone trio recording, which is not an easy listening experience but offers musical depth and incredible instrumental abilities by these excellent musicians. Jazz listeners, who love their music served with some challenge, should find this album most rewarding.

Updated: 17/02/2025Posted: 17/02/2025

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend

JOACHIM KUHN / DANIEL HUMAIR / JEAN-FRANCOIS JENNY-CLARK ~ USUAL CONFUSION LABEL BLEU 6560 (Barcode: 3149025061249) ~ GERMANY ~ Free Jazz / Improvised Music Recorded: 1993 Released: 1993 This is an album by the brilliant European Jazz trio comprising of German pianist / composer Joachim KuhnFind albums by this artist, Swiss drummer / composer Daniel HumairFind albums by this artist and French bassist / composer Jean-Francois Jenny-ClarkFind albums by this artist. The album presents seven tracks, four composed by Kuhn, one composed by Humair, one a standard and finally one by American saxophonist / composer Jerry BergonziFind albums by this artist. The music is absolutely stunning, from start to end and this is definitely one the finest European piano trios in all time. All three players are virtuosi and with decades of experience behind them, they are flying high in the stratosphere of Jazz improvisation, with every note perfectly in the right place and astonishing level of interplay between them. Despite the fact that the music is often intensely improvised, and Kuhn’s arpeggios chase each other head after tail, the result is remarkably melodic and often even serene, which is quite unusual for Kuhn’s recordings. Jenny-Clark and Humair are a perfect, impeccable rhythm section, able to stay within the harmonious flow and tempi, when needed, and support Free improvisation with the same ease and elegance, and listening to the trio is a constant gratification of the highest class. Listening to this album is a true schoolbook example of the perfect balance between melody and improvisation in Jazz, which astoundingly enables this music to be enjoyed in full both by Free Jazz lovers and relatively conventional mainstream Jazz listeners, which perhaps proves that beauty conquers all. This is one of my favorite Joachim Kuhn albums and European piano trio albums. Overall, this is a perfect example of European Jazz, which transforms classic the piano trio platform into a Freely Improvised environment, staying close enough for comfort for mainstream Jazz lovers – a truly brilliant Artistic achievement and a must in any serious Jazz collection.

Updated: 15/04/2025Posted: 15/04/2025

CD 1 Essential Recommend To A Friend