Record Reviews

BEATA HLAVENKOVA ~ JOY FOR JOEL ANIMAL MUSIC 011 (Barcode: 8594155997930) ~ CZECH REPUBLIC ~ Jazz Recorded: 2009 Released: 2009 This is the 3rd album by Czech Jazz pianist / vocalist / composer Beata HlavenkovaFind albums by this artist, which she recorded in the US with Canadian trumpeter Ingrid JensenFind albums by this artist and American musicians: saxophonist Rich PerryFind albums by this artist, pedal steel guitarist Dave EasleyFind albums by this artist, Australian (resident in US) bassist Matt ClohesyFind albums by this artist and drummer Jon WikanFind albums by this artist. Czech vocalist Lenka DusilovaFind albums by this artist adds vocalese on two tracks. The album presents nine tracks, all of which are original compositions by Hlavenkova, arranged by her. The album was mixed by Milan CimfeFind albums by this artist, and offers, as always, a splendid sound quality. The music is wonderfully melodic and lyrical, and the arrangements make a perfect use of the small ensemble, which offers excellent soli and coherent performances all the way through. The vocal parts, or more correctly vocalese, are treated as another instrument and enhance the aural effect in a most appropriate way. Despite the presence of American musicians, the album offers a distinctly European ambience and feel, which of course is one of its many charms. I have been quite taken by surprise by the fact that I completely missed Hlavenkova’s presence on the Czech Jazz scene up until now, and I am happy this has been now remedied by her, by sending me some of her albums. Overall, this is a truly beautiful and musically perfectly balanced and refined album, which I have missed at the time of its release. Elegantly packaged and released on my favorite Czech records label, Animal MusicFind albums on this label, run by Petr OstrouchovFind albums by this artist, it is now a proud part of my collection. Thank you Beata, for the initiative to contact me and of course for the wonderful music!

Updated: 21/03/2026Posted: 21/03/2026

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INGRID JENSEN / STEVE TRESELER ~ INVISIBLE SOUNDS: FOR KENNY WHEELER WHIRLWIND 4729 (Barcode: 4055388386570) ~ CANADA ~ Jazz Recorded: 2015 - 2016 Released: 2018 This is an album by a quintet co-led by Canadian Jazz trumpeter Ingrid JensenFind albums by this artist and American saxophonist Steve TreselerFind albums by this artist, with American pianist Geoffrey KeezerFind albums by this artist, bassist Martin WindFind albums by this artist and drummer Jon WikanFind albums by this artist. Two additional musicians participate on selected tracks. The album presents ten tracks, eight of which are compositions by British Jazz trumpeter / composer Kenny WheelerFind albums by this artist and the remaining tracks are composed one each by Jensen and Treseler. As the title suggests, the album is a tribute to the great composing quality of Wheeler, which is plainly evident herein. Jensen has a sound and technique that mimic those of Wheeler pretty closely, the rest of the team are professional American Jazz musicians, obviously able to play the tunes, but not aspiring to reproduce the magic that Wheeler’s ensembles managed to create when he was aboard. Nevertheless, the music is brilliant enough to make the album worth listening to, and the album is a nice gesture honoring Wheeler’s exceptional compositions. Overall, this is a tribute to Wheeler’s compositions, performed by professional musicians, who somehow lack the spark to make them sound as spectacular as they should. For Wheeler completists, this is a worthwhile addition to their collection.

Updated: 13/08/2023Posted: 13/08/2023

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