Record Reviews

PARKER / TRZASKA / EDWARDS / SANDERS ~ CITY FALL FSR 2016/04 (Barcode: 5905279364097) ~ POLAND ~ Free Jazz / Improvised Music Recorded: 2014 Released: 2016 This is a live recording by a Free Jazz / Improvising Music quartet, which comprises of three British musicians: legendary saxophonist Evan ParkerFind albums by this artist, bassist John EdwardsFind albums by this artist and drummer Mark SandersFind albums by this artist and Polish saxophonist / clarinetist Mikolaj TrzaskaFind albums by this artist. The quartet performs just three lengthy improvisations, the first of which resides on the first CD and the other two reside on the second CD of this 2CD set. All music is credited, as appropriate in such circumstances, to all four members of the quartet. The music was recorded during a concert in London´s Café OTO. Anybody familiar with the British Free Jazz scene will recognize the names of the British musicians as top representative of the genre and the same applies of course of people familiar with the parallel Polish scene, where Trzaska is considered as a unique phenomenon not only as Free Jazz player / leader but also as one of the most important contemporary composers of cinematic music. The music captured on this album testifies as to the immediate rapport between the players, especially so between Evans (born 1944) and Trzaska (born 1966), who keep exchanging licks, phrases and vast amounts of energy between them for the entire duration of the concert, which often sounds superhuman in its intensity. The age difference seems to be completely inconsequential, which of course does not surprise me at all as my pairing of Trzaska with the Israeli clarinetist Harold RubinFind albums by this artist (born 1932) was similarly successful. In fact the saxophone duets, performed without the rhythm section, are some of the most fascinating moments on this album and I´d love to hear more of those. As far as live albums of Free Jazz / Improvised Music are concerned, my opinion usually is that the music was primarily intended for those people who attended the concert and in recorded form the music loses most of its authenticity, energy and spirit, and becomes significantly less relevant. This album is one of the relatively few exceptions, probably due to the class of the musicians involved and the comradeship between them, and as a result hearing the music in recorded form is still very emotionally involving and aesthetically pleasing. Of course this music is strictly for connoisseurs of this specific idiom and people who seek entertainment in their musical escapades should avoid this music at all cost. Those brave hearted few who enjoy the organized madness should have a most wonderful time while this music lasts, especially since meetings like these are usually a one time only events. Strong stuff!

Updated: 03/01/2017Posted: 03/01/2017

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SPRING HEEL JACK ~ AMASSED THIRSTY EAR 57123 (Barcode: 700435712324) ~ UK ~ Free Jazz / Improvised Music Recorded: 2002 Released: 2002 This is an album by British electronic music duo Spring Heel JackFind albums by this artist, consisting of John CoxonFind albums by this artist and Ashley WalesFind albums by this artist. Following the release of three Drum & Bass albums in the 1990s, the duo switched their musical direction and with the turn of the Millennium released a series of recordings made with international group of Free Jazz / Avant-Garde musicians, like those appearing on this album: British saxophonist Evan ParkerFind albums by this artist, trombonist Paul RutherfordFind albums by this artist, trumpeter Kenny WheelerFind albums by this artist and bassists John EdwardsFind albums by this artist and George TrebarFind albums by this artist, American pianist Matthew ShippFind albums by this artist, Dutch drummer Han BenninkFind albums by this artist and others. The album presents eight original compositions co-composed by the participating musicians. The music is as experimental and weird as one might expect from the above lineup, which of course is something some of us love dearly ;) Long improvisations and intimate conversations between these wonderful musicians are always worth listening to and honestly the electronic music elements by the duo are not really significant here, more like background and general ornamentation. The music is very serene and held back, offering a multitude of wonderful soli, in particular those by Evans and Wheeler, which are nothing short of spectacular. The musicians form duos, trios, quartets and a constantly changing lineup, which offers not one dull moment for the duration. The overall atmosphere of freedom and lack of boundaries contributes greatly to the creative powers of the participants and the result is really surprising. For British Free Jazz / Improvised Music enthusiasts this album, which they are most probably nor aware of its existence, is a treasure chest of great discoveries and something definitely worth checking out, well deserving a place in their record collections. Apparently this album is still available, so grab a copy as long as those last. Overall this is a little known gem, which is definitely a great surprise!

Updated: 14/10/2020Posted: 14/10/2020

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