Record Reviews
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  | ADAM CZERWINSKI / DAREK OLESZKIEWICZ ~ RAINDANCE
ALLEGRO 015 (Barcode: 634479245978) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz
Recorded: 2005 Released: 2007
This is an album by a Polish / American Jazz quartet, which features the excellent Polish Jazz rhythm section of drummer Adam CzerwinskiFind albums by this artist and bassist Darek OleszkiewiczFind albums by this artist and the US players: guitarist Larry KoonseFind albums by this artist and organist Larry GoldingsFind albums by this artist. Sound engineer Nolan ShaheedFind albums by this artist plays cornet on one track. Oleszkiewicz, Koonse and Shaheed later took part in the recording of the 2nd Aga ZaryanFind albums by this artist album, which was recorded in the same studio. Of the ten tracks on this album, three were composed by Czerwinski, another three by Oleszkiewicz, two by Koonse and the remaining two are standards.
The music is all very mainstream and very easy going, i.e. on the lighter side of the Jazz spectrum, but of course is perfectly executed by these master musicians. The sound of the Hammond organ is always a winner and quite irresistible to Jazz buffs, so the overall result is a most entertaining piece of easy melodic Jazz, without being kitschy or overtly moronic. The original compositions are all nicely crafted, especially those by Oleszkiewicz, which are also the most advanced ones on this album.
This is an excellent example of how accessible music is able to retain musical qualities, being still strongly rooted in Jazz and improvised, and yet enjoyable to people who have little or no Jazz experience of affiliation. Such listeners will definitely love this stuff madly!
| | | CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend |
  | HERBIE HANCOCK ~ THE IMAGINE PROJECT
SONY 771899 (Barcode: 886977189920) ~ USA ~ Jazz-Rock-World Fusion
Recorded: 2010 Released: 2010
One of the advantages of being 70 is that you don´t need to prove yourself any more. This is of course especially true in case of Herbie HancockFind albums by this artist, who lists among the greatest Jazz musicians of all time. He was lucky to age well, with his career still intact and what is perhaps even more important he keeps moving forward and changing his musical directions constantly. Hancock never was one of those Jazz musicians, who refuse to leave the lofty pedestal of Jazz "superiority", ignoring whatever is happening in contemporary music. In the last couple of decades Hancock, in parallel to his Jazz activities, recorded projects which pay tribute to other musical phenomena, including Pop and Rock. His "The New StandardFind albums with this title" album presented a collection of contemporary Pop anthems arranged for a Jazz ensemble, His wonderful tribute to the talents of the divine Joni Mitchell ("River: The Joni LettersFind albums with this title") is another of such projects. This project takes thing even a notch further. Hancock invited a group of musicians from all over the world; each and every one of them representing a different aspect of World Music influenced contemporary music and recorded with them new arrangements to some classic Pop songs. Augmented by some of the best Jazz musicians around (drummer Vinnie ColaiutaFind albums by this artist, guitarist Jeff BeckFind albums by this artist, percussionist Alex AcunaFind albums by this artist, keyboardist Larry GoldingsFind albums by this artist, bassist Marcus MillerFind albums by this artist and many others) and recorded in many different studios around the world, this is a magical tribute to contemporary music by a Master musician. I absolutely loved every minute of it and I´m sure many of you will too!
Side Note: I have read quite a few reviews of this album published in the few weeks since its release and unfortunately most of them are completely irrelevant, missing the point by a mile. Many people seem to dislike this album for a variety of reasons, simply being completely ignorant to its concept and qualities. As we say around these parts: "The dogs keep barking and the caravan moves on".
| | Updated: 17/06/2016Posted: | CD 1 Recommend To A Friend |
  | WOJTEK JUSTYNA TREEOH! ~ THRICE
PLANET EZY STREET 2201 (Barcode: 8714835144410) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz-Funk Fusion
Recorded: 2022 Released: 2022
This is the third album by Polish (resident in Holland) guitarist / composer Wojtek JustynaFind albums by this artist and his international quartet Treeoh!Find albums by this artist. The album presents six tracks recorded by the quartet and a bonus track on with the American keyboardist Larry GoldingsFind albums by this artist appears as a guest. Most of the music is co-credited to the quartet members. The album was recorded at the Monochrom Studio by Ignacy GruszeckiFind albums by this artist, and offers a crispy sound quality.
The music mixes elements of classic Fusion and some World Music influences, mostly Latin rhythmic ornamentation contributed by percussionist Diogo CarvalhoFind albums by this artist. All the tunes are based on solid melodic compositions and Funky guitar riffs, which are the quartets trademark.
Although not particularly innovative, the music is great fun to listen to and at times even quite danceable, with Funky Grooves at the helm, creating a light, tropical mood, which is accessible to a wide audience.
Overall, this is a fun album, somewhat different from most Fusion albums released these days, mostly due to the Latin influences, which many fans of the genre should find inspiring. Great stuff to make gloomy days brighter!
| | Updated: 21/09/2022Posted: 21/09/2022 | CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend |
  | JAMES TAYLOR ~ OCTOBER ROAD
COLUMBIA 074646358429 (Barcode: 074646358429) ~ USA ~ Classic Rock
Recorded: 2001 - 2002 Released: 2002
This is the 15th studio album by legendary American singer / songwriter James TaylorFind albums by this artist. The album presents twelve songs, ten of which were written by Taylor. On the album he is accompanied by some of the best American studio musicians, many associated with Jazz, like drummer Steve GaddFind albums by this artist, keyboardist Larry GoldingsFind albums by this artist, saxophonist Michael BreckerFind albums by this artist, guitarist John PizzarelliFind albums by this artist and others.
Since his debut released in 1968 Taylor continues to create a steady stream of refined albums, mostly based on his own songwriting, which over time accumulated to one of the most significant American Rock songbooks. His personal musical style remains pretty unaffected over time and his sincere, heartfelt lyrics and beautiful melodies are all timeless gems.
Overall, this is a beautiful collection of songs, sung with great emotion and accompanied by superb musicians, which for any Classic Rock fan is a no brainer. Once familiar with Taylor’s songwriting, one simply never gets tired of his creations!
| | Updated: 11/06/2022Posted: 11/06/2022 | CD 1 Recommend To A Friend |
  | VARIOUS ARTISTS ~ FUSION FOR MILES: A BITCHIN` BREW
MASCOT 7166 (Barcode: 8712725716624) ~ USA ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion
Recorded: 2005 Released: 2005
This is the 3rd project in the series of Fusion tributes, conceived, produced and arranged by Jeff RichmanFind albums by this artist. This time he is paying tribute to the Big Boss himself, Miles DavisFind albums by this artist. Ten compositions by Miles Davis are given a modern fusion treatment, each featuring a different guitarist. The inspiration comes of course from the electric jazz period of Miles, around Bitches BrewFind albums with this title, which of course featured John McLaughlinFind albums by this artist – the same man who was paid a tribute by Richman’s previous project. The rhythm section this time consists of Vinnie CalaiutaFind albums by this artist – drums, Alphonso JohnsonFind albums by this artist – bass and Larry GoldingsFind albums by this artist – organ. Ex- Miles Davis saxophonist Dave LiebmanFind albums by this artist provides the link to the original music and the featured guitarists include Mike SternFind albums by this artist, Bill FrisellFind albums by this artist, Bill ConnorsFind albums by this artist, Pat MartinoFind albums by this artist, Bireli LagreneFind albums by this artist, etc. “Conventional” lovers of Miles Davis might find this treatment a bit bold, but fusion fans will definitely enjoy every minute of this.
| | | CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend |
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