Record Reviews

KARLIS AUZINS ~ IMAGES IN REGARD OF THE CENTRAL REFERENCE SYSTEM NOT ON LABEL (Barcode: 5707471046197) ~ LATVIA ~ Jazz Recorded: 2015 Released: 2016 This is the debut album by Latvian saxophonist / composer Karlis AuzinsFind albums by this artist, recorded with a quartet which also includes Polish pianist Artur TuznikFind albums by this artist, Swedish bassist Joel IllerhagFind albums by this artist and Danish drummer Jakob HoyerFind albums by this artist. The album presents eight original compositions, all by Auzins. The music is characteristic of the modern contemporary European Jazz, based on folkloristic themes and lyrical melodies, but also allowing a lot of space for improvisation and personal explorations by the quartet members. At times the music moves away from the melodic layer and ventures into Free improvisations, but usually just for relatively limited spans, which allows less experienced listeners to remain in focus and pick up the melody later on. Auzins emerges as a surprisingly mature improviser, who is able to play a solo soprano saxophone piece lasting for almost five minutes without a hitch, with outstanding virtuosity and imagination. But his performances with the quartet are also superb and he manages to create a unique sound, which is extremely rare these days. He also plays some amazing unisono parts with the piano and the bowed bass. Tuznik also plays wonderfully, both as a soloist and accompanist, exchanging intricate notes with Auzins during their many duet statements as well as stretching out during his solos. The rhythm section, which on this album stays mostly in the background, hidden beneath the intensity of the saxophone / piano front line, contributes its valuable parts when allowed to do so and as expected does it admirably. This ability to step aside is most appreciated and does not diminish the status of the rhythm section at all. The music simply organically opens up for a rhythm section contribution whenever those are appropriate. The music definitely belongs to the Scandinavian or rather Baltic tonality, with most of the tunes being low key and low tempo, and contemplation and slow progression are the key ingredients. The fact that the quartet comprises of young musicians from four different countries is the decisive proof that European Jazz is enjoying and incredible renaissance and a new generation of highly talented musicians is emerging, blessed by sublime talents. This is definitely a most impressive debut recording, which emotionally reminds me of the moments in 1960s when Jazz first broke its ties with bebop tradition and moved into a new epoch. Now, five decades later, this beloved music of ours is still making giant steps into the unknown. Hats off, young Lions!

Updated: 17/06/2016Posted: 17/06/2016

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FREDRIK LUNDIN ~ 5 GO ADVENTURING AGAIN STUNT 17162 (Barcode: 663993171623) ~ DENMARK ~ Jazz Recorded: 2017 Released: 2017 This is an album by veteran Danish saxophonist / composer Fredrik LundinFind albums by this artist and his quintet which also includes Polish trumpeter Tomasz DabrowskiFind albums by this artist, Swedish trombonist Petter HangselFind albums by this artist and Bazantar player Joel IllerhagFind albums by this artist and Danish drummer Anders ProvisFind albums by this artist. Danish contrabass clarinet player Jesper LovdalFind albums by this artist guests on one track. The album presents ten original compositions, all by Lundin. The music is dense and complex, dark and epic, close to contemporary Classical music although undoubtedly Jazzy at the core. The sound of the quintet majestically rises to the level of an orchestral reverberation, with the brass instruments playing unisono riffs behind the solos and the slowly moving melody lines are supported by a brilliant mixture of electronic and acoustic drums and mindboggling bass, or rather Bazantar pulsations. At times it all sounds like a bizarre funeral procession or a very drunk circus band, but the music is absolutely dazzling in its power and glory. The level of individual statements is also astonishing. Dabrowski, as usual, plays some incredible trumpet parts, but Lundin and Hangsel are there with him playing not less amazingly. Illerhag is one of the most impressive bass players I have had the pleasure to hear in a long while and Provis pushes the music right to the very edge. But first and foremost the ensemble collectivism these incredible musicians are able to achieve here is way beyond just a sum if its ingredients, which of course adds another layer of significance to this recording. Overall this is an incredible album, full of superb music and virtuosic performances, which deserves to be heard by as many music connoisseurs around the world as possible. It is absolutely European in its intrinsic elegance and aesthetics, with a strong emphasis on Nordic atmosphere and melancholy and could have never been envisaged and created anywhere else. It is also a monumental road sign as to the future of Jazz, which is moving further and further away from its stale traditionalism towards creating a completely revamped idiom, which is multicultural, cross-genre and open to constant change and progress and deep spirituality. Wholeheartedly recommended to anybody, who really cares about music and where it is going!

Updated: 27/03/2018Posted: 27/03/2018

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LUBOS SOUKUP ~ THROUGH THE MIRROR ANIMAL MUSIC 038 (Barcode: 8594155997022) ~ CZECH REPUBLIC ~ Jazz Recorded: 2012 - 2013 Released: 2013 This is the second album as a leader by Czech saxophonist / composer Lubos SoukupFind albums by this artist, recorded with his quartet, which also includes German pianist Christian PabstFind albums by this artist, Swedish bassist Joel IllerhagFind albums by this artist and Danish drummer Morten HaesumFind albums by this artist. The lineup is expanded by the addition of a not less international six-piece horn section and a Czech string quartet. The album presents ten original compositions, all by Soukup. The music is a wonderful example of modern European Jazz, based on excellent compositions, which amalgamate some glimpses of European Classical Music influences and Jazz ensemble music, brilliantly arranged and perfectly executed by these, mostly young but already very experienced and well educated musicians. Soukup demonstrates his highly unusual melody weaving skills, which have been amply reflected by his work in the years since this album was released, both on his own recordings and albums with other people. He is a member of the Prague SixFind albums by this artist composers’ collective, whose work was wonderfully recorded by the Czech Concept Art OrchestraFind albums by this artist (of which he is also a member), the Inner SpacesFind albums by this artist quintet and other ensembles and in the last few years he is definitely one of the most active and prolific figures on the Czech Jazz scene. The scope of the music is pretty amazing, elegantly floating between the more Jazz oriented pieces, performed by the ensemble and the more somber Classical oriented compositions, performed by the string quartet, but always keeping the listener mesmerized by the depth of the music and the intricate / multi-level arrangements, which become an intrinsic part of the concept that Soukup is trying to create on this album. Considering the fact that he was only twenty-seven at the time this music was recorded, the achievement is even more impressive. Overall this is a very striking piece of European Music, which exemplifies not only the incredible powers of these individuals but also their unprecedented ability to join forces in international projects, like this one, which are very common in the last decade in the borderless Europe. Soukup is definitely a musician / composer worthy of being followed by lovers of European Jazz and all his recordings deserve attention. Hats off!

Updated: 07/05/2021Posted: 07/05/2021

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