Record Reviews

RESONANCE ENSEMBLE ~ DOUBLE ARC NOT TWO 936 (Barcode: 5901549185980) ~ USA ~ Jazz Recorded: 2013 Released: 2015 This is a live recording by the Resonance EnsembleFind albums by this artist, an international gathering of Free Jazz / Improvised Music players led by American saxophonist / clarinetist / composer Ken VandermarkFind albums by this artist, which in this case comprises of eleven musicians, including two top Polish improvisers: saxophonist / clarinetist Mikolaj TrzaskaFind albums by this artist and clarinetist Waclaw ZimpelFind albums by this artist. The music, all composed by Vandermark, is en extended two-part suite, each of the parts being split into eight and six sub-parts respectively. The music was recorded at the Manggha Culture Center in Krakow, Poland. In his liner notes Vandermark describes this music as a summary of his career and a reflection of the many musical influences he has absorbed over time, which according to him can be heard in the specific sub-parts of the suite. He dedicates this album to the great Polish contemporary Classical composer Witold LutoslawskiFind albums by this artist. Personally I find this music rather cold and unrelated to any specific musical associations, which is a typical American contemporary Free Jazz, which just is there to be there, i.e. has sense only during a live performance but repeated listening of the recorded music has almost zero chance to happen, as the music simply does not make a statement. I must be suffering from a very serious Vandermark overdose, but honestly there is not much revealing music here, which propagates the Free Jazz / Improvised Music (more or less composed), to a new dimension or uncharted territory. Even the usage of the electronic "lloopp" is not interesting enough to save the day. The large ensemble parts present here should be compared to the stuff that British and European composers / bandleaders like Mike WestbrookFind albums by this artist, Trevor WattsFind albums by this artist and others already perfected in the 1960s and 1970s. There are of course brilliant individual statements as these musicians are all well seasoned improvisers and first class composers themselves, but their efforts with their own ensembles are much more impressive IMHO. Overall this album will be definitely of interest to the many Vandermark aficionados and other Free Jazz / Improvised Music fans, but considering how many recordings of similar musical language are being released in the last decade, it will simple blend into the background pretty soon.

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KEN VANDERMARK / OLES BROTHERS ~ IDEAS NOT TWO 765 (Barcode: 5907589871654) ~ USA ~ Free Jazz / Improvised Music Recorded: 2005 Released: 2005 This is a an album by American saxophonist / clarinetist / composer Ken VandermarkFind albums by this artist, recorded in a trio setting with Polish rhythm section comprising of bassist / composer Marcin OlesFind albums by this artist and drummer / composer Bartlomiej OlesFind albums by this artist, collectively known as Oles BrothersFind albums by this artist. The album presents ten original compositions, all co-composed by all three members of the trio. Vandermark enjoyed enormous popularity in the Polish Free Jazz circles, playing often in Poland with his American ensembles and groups featuring local musicians and recording dozens of albums over time, which were consequently released in Poland. That popularity was certainly way beyond the popularity Vandermark enjoyed in his home base in Chicago or in the US in general and remains an anomaly in the Polish Jazz history, the only explanation of which is the notorious Polish inferiority complex, which awards to American musicians the rank of God, which in most cases is completely mislead. This particular recording is definitely one of the best recordings by Vandermark made in Poland, which has to be credited to the wonderful contributions made by the Oles Brothers herein, which manage to tame Vandermark´s often chaotic statements and achieve a melancholic and deeply moving statement by the trio. Both the saxophone and clarinet statements are subdued and introvert, superbly supported by the sensitive, elegant and highly aesthetic performances by the rhythm section. The rhythm section is by no means constrained to provide the rhythmic patterns, but actually performs on the same level with the soloist, in perfect conceptual unison. Although the music is credited to the trio, listeners familiar with the work of Oles Brothers will surely recognize their compositional patterns in most of the compositions present here, with Vandermark´s contribution being less detectable. Overall this is an excellent contemporary Jazz with some Free and Improvised Music elements but on the whole completely accessible by most Jazz connoisseurs. This is definitely not a very typical Vandermark statement, which of course works for the best. Highly recommended and I urge everybody to get a copy before this gem gets out of print.

Updated: 01/05/2017Posted: 01/05/2017

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