Record Reviews

FRANCESCO BRUNO ~ ZAKYNTHOS ALFA MUSIC 285 (Barcode: 8032050023243) ~ ITALY ~ Jazz Recorded: 2023 Released: 2023 This is an album by Italian guitarist / composer / bandleader Francesco BrunoFind albums by this artist, recorded in a trio setting with bassist Andrea ColellaFind albums by this artist and drummer Marco RovinelliFind albums by this artist. The album presents eight original compositions by Bruno. In many respects this intimate guitar trio recording is a celebration of a “full circle” in Francesco’s career, which spans decades and a wide range of stylistic encounters. Stripped down to the basics, with the guitar clearly in the epicenter and Jazz at helm, Bruno demonstrates his cumulative experience and his natural talent, now completely matured and ripened. I have accompanied Francesco, who happens to be also a Dear Friend, since many years now, and after hearing him play on several occasions some time ago, I told him that I truly enjoyed his guitar playing again, which received less prominent exposure in his projects, and encouraged him to bring the guitar up to the front again, and I am very happy to see him doing just that. As a result, we are able to hear a wonderful cascade of notes he manages to create on this album, which goes back to the style and feel of the legendary Classic guitar masters, like Jim HallFind albums by this artist, Barney KesselFind albums by this artist, Kenny BurrellFind albums by this artist, Joe PassFind albums by this artist and others. The new compositions are also somewhat more vibrant and full of delightful Mediterranean breeze, as the title of the album suggests. Sunny beaches, a “zephyr” wind and the smell of the sea if what we, the people living around the Mediterranean all love, and which brings us together, often without a need for words. The compositions are ideal vehicles for the extensive guitar soloing, and the sensitive and amicable rhythm section is up to the task at all time. Overall, this is an excellent Jazz guitar trio album, sounding both contemporary and fondly reminiscent of the classic Jazz guitar recordings, beautifully played, composed and recorded, which should delight all Jazz lovers around the world and make guitar freaks salivate. There are very few guitar recordings like this one made nowadays, so don’t even think twice before you grab a copy. Molte grazie, amico mio!

Updated: 06/08/2023Posted: 06/08/2023

CD 1 Mini-Sleeve Recommend To A Friend

JACEK NIEDZIELA-MEIRA ~ BURRELLHOUSE SJ 039 (Barcode: 5912596066719) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 2018 Released: 2019 This is an album by the veteran Polish Jazz bassist / composer / educator Jacek Niedziela-MeiraFind albums by this artist which his debut album as a guitar player, recorded in a classic guitar trio setting with Hammond player Kajetan GalasFind albums by this artist and drummers Lukasz ZytaFind albums by this artist or Grzegorz PalkaFind albums by this artist. The album presents nine tracks, two of which are original compositions by the leader, six are standards and one is a Polish Pop song. The music was recorded at the excellent Studio Tokarnia and offers a wonderful classic Blue NoteFind albums on this label sound. For people familiar with the Polish Jazz scene this album comes of course as a surprise, as a result of the decision by the leader to switch instruments, but the result is very satisfying. The sound and material are based on classic model set by American Hammond player Jimmy SmithFind albums by this artist and his trio, which included among others guitarists also the superb guitar Master Kenny BurrellFind albums by this artist, who serves as an obvious influence on the leader. The conservative mainstream Jazz approach, going back s few decades in the history of the Jazz idiom, could be pretty disastrous musically, but in this case it is a fresh breath of air, which proves that well played mainstream Jazz still sounds solid, beautiful and enjoyable in spite of the passing time. Niedziela-Meira turns out to be a very talented and technically proficient classic / old style Jazz guitar player, who emphasizes the clarity of the tone and precision of the notes like a true pro. His sound does follow the example set by the Jazz guitarists form the 1950s / 1960s almost exactly, but with a fresh vigor and fluidity. Galas is of course an absolute marvel with his Hammond bringing back fond memories of the glory of this beautiful instrument. His improvisations, always melodic and coherent and yet often surprisingly sophisticated, are an absolute sensation and are alone worth having this album. Both alternating drummers keep the time like clockwork, which for this kind of music is exactly what the doctor prescribed. Overall this is a very pleasant album, which reproduces the mood and sound going back half a century, but offers a rejuvenated perspective on the guitar trio format, which is almost completely absent from the contemporary Jazz scene. Full of wonderful music and excellent musicianship, this album is fun from start to end for listeners who like this period of Jazz. For guitar and Hammond connoisseurs, this is a must of course!

Updated: 02/05/2019Posted: 02/05/2019

CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend

TERRY SMITH ~ FALL OUT SUNBEAM 5008 (Barcode: 5051125500819) ~ UK ~ Jazz Recorded: 1968 Released: 2006 Guitarist / composer Terry SmithFind albums by this artist was one of the busiest musicians on the British Jazz scene in the late 1960s. Voted the best Jazz guitarist in the 1968 polls, when this album was recorded, Smith was not only playing at the regular Jazz venues around London, but was also a member of the backup group of singer Scott WalkerFind albums by this artist, who was at the peak of his popularity at the time. Walker, although extremely successful as a Pop artists, had a keen musical ear and was trying to get away from the sugary Pop image by employing some of the best Jazz musicians at the time In his band, which was led by no other than the legendary Ronnie ScottFind albums by this artist. Walker used his influence with his label (PhilipsFind albums on this label) to offer a recording opportunity to some of the young and extremely talented musicians in the band, which led to the recording of this debut album by Terry Smith. As this album shows, Smith already had an extraordinary technique and feel for Jazz. Based on the tradition created by players like Kenny BurrellFind albums by this artist and Wes MontgomeryFind albums by this artist, Smith took his guitar work a few steps further adding his personal touch. Of course just a few months later Smith would become one of the founding members of the British Jazz-Rock ensemble IfFind albums by this artist, which successfully competed with their American counterparts like Blood, Sweat & TearsFind albums by this artist and ChicagoFind albums by this artist. On this album Smith is accompanied by some of the best British Jazz musicians at the time, including Kenny WheelerFind albums by this artist on trumpet, Ray WarleighFind albums by this artist on sax and flute, Gordon BeckFind albums by this artist on piano and Ron MathewsonFind albums by this artist on bass. Of the eight tracks on this album, three are his originals and the rest standards, beautifully arranged for a big Jazz ensemble. Two of the tracks are performed by Smith’s trio with Bob StuckleyFind albums by this artist on organ and Chris KarenFind albums by this artist on drums. This is an excellent album by all means and it’s great to have it back from oblivion after all these years. Recommended!

CD 1 Remastered Recommend To A Friend