Record Reviews

JEFF BALLARD ~ FAIRGROUNDS EDITION 1121 (Barcode: 5060509790524) ~ USA ~ Avant-Garde Jazz Recorded: 2015 Released: 2019 This is a live album by American drummer / composer Jeff BallardFind albums by this artist, recorded with his quintet during a European tour. The quintet also includes guitarist Lionel LouekeFind albums by this artist, keyboardists Kevin HaysFind albums by this artist and Peter RendeFind albums by this artist and Reid AndersonFind albums by this artist on electronics (rather than on bass as expected). Saxophonists Chris CheekFind albums by this artist and Mark TurnerFind albums by this artist guest on selected tracks. The album presents eleven original composition composed or co-composed by the participating musicians. The music offers an interesting mixture of atmospheric pieces, somewhere between Ambient, Jazz and World music, which creates a suspenseful listening experience. The unusual lineup with two keyboards and guitar offers often multi-layered structures, which demand intensive listening in order to be followed. The occasional vocals feel rather out of place, but thankfully those are rather marginal. Overall, this is quite an interesting album, which moves a bit chaotically between Avant-Garde and schmaltz, but for a team of American musicians this is way more ambitious than one might expect. Listeners familiar with the recordings by these musicians might find this album very surprising, as it hardly follows any patterns these musicians are usually associated with. With the vocals removed, this album might even border on excellent.

Updated: 12/10/2022Posted: 12/10/2022

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AVISHAI COHEN ~ AFTER THE BIG RAIN ANZIC 5101 (Barcode: 616892887928) ~ ISRAEL ~ Jazz-World Fusion Recorded: 2006 Released: 2007 2nd album by Israeli (resident in US) trumpeter / composer Avishai CohenFind albums by this artist (not to be confused with the bass player of the same name), one of several Israeli Jazz musicians who are already firmly established on the international scene. Avishai is the brother of Anat CohenFind albums by this artist and Yuval CohenFind albums by this artist, both gifted reeds players, and together they perform under the 3 CohensFind albums by this artist moniker. This album is the first release of a Jazz trilogy called "Big Rain", and presents Cohen in a quintet setting with guitarist Lionel LouekeFind albums by this artist, keyboardist Jason LindnerFind albums by this artist, bassists Omer AvitalFind albums by this artist and drummer Daniel FreedmanFind albums by this artist. Chekere player Yosvany TerryFind albums by this artist guests on several tracks. The ensemble creates together a highly atmospheric and beautiful mixture of Jazz and World Music, which is a superb example of how Jazz can be saved from stagnation and pushed beyond its usual perimeters. Cohen skillfully employs the trumpet´s natural lyricism as well as electronic effects to produce a plethora of different sounds. Lindner´s playing is delicate and touching, especially when he uses the Fender Rhodes (no other keyboard except the Hammond has such profound and unique sound for me). Loueke´s guitar adds ethnic colors and his occasional vocals (in the Fon language) take the music straight into the heart of Africa. Avital is brilliant, as always, with his bass pulsating like a heart of the music and finally Freedman ornaments the music rather than driving it forcefully, which in this case is exactly what the music needs. Cohen composed most of the music, with Lindner and Loueke contributing one tune each. Altogether this album is an excellent example of creative contemporary Jazz, combining tradition with vision, excellently executed and uplifting. Wholeheartedly recommended!

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CHICK COREA & STEVE GADD BAND ~ CHINESE BUTTERFLY STRETCH 888072042186 (Barcode: 888072042186) ~ USA ~ Jazz-World Fusion Recorded: 2017 Released: 2017 This is a 2CD studio album recorded by a band co-led by two legendary American musicians: keyboardist / composer Chick CoreaFind albums by this artist and drummer Steve GaddFind albums by this artist, who recorded together many times before, but never co-led a band together. They are joined by guitarist Lionel LouekeFind albums by this artist, saxophonist / flautist Steve WilsonFind albums by this artist, Cuban bassist Carlitos Del PuertoFind albums by this artist and Venezuelan percussionist Luisito QuinteroFind albums by this artist. Vocalist Philip BaileyFind albums by this artist joins them on one tune. The album presents eight tracks, six composed by Corea, one co-composed by him and Loueke and one is a John McLaughlinFind albums by this artist composition. The music is all highly melodic, with a strong Latin tinge, dominated by typical Corea’s Fusiony compositions and lengthy improvisations, which allows the excellent musicians to show their chops. Three of the tracks last for well over quartet of an hour and document the “jam like” atmosphere of this recording session. Most of the music is new, written by Corea especially for this album, but a new and much extended version of the classic “Return To Forever” song, which features Bailey, is certainly one of the highlights of this album. In some respect this album could be regarded as a preamble to the “Antidote” album recorded a couple of years later and features some of the musicians present on this album. Overall, this a great and highly rewarding album, which offers the familiar Corea’s musical explorations between Fusion and Jazz-World Fusion, to which he returned in the few last years of his life. Superb compositions and performances, which never fail to bring a smile. Highly recommended!

Updated: 13/04/2022Posted: 13/04/2022

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HERBIE HANCOCK ~ RIVER: THE JONI LETTERS VERVE 744826 (Barcode: 602517448261) ~ USA ~ Jazz Recorded: 2007 Released: 2007 Jazz legend Herbie HancockFind albums by this artist finally repays the debt the Jazz world owes to Rock legend Joni MitchellFind albums by this artist. Joni’s 1979 album MingusFind albums with this title stands out to this very day as one of the greatest tributes ever made to Jazz by a non-Jazz musician and I always wondered when is someone going to settle the score. Well better late than never and better still if the musician to do so is someone of Hancock’s statue and sensibility. For me Joni’s music always had subtle jazzy undertones, even if she didn’t use Jazz musicians as her backing band (like on “Mingus” and a few other albums), and therefore this project sounds completely natural and perfectly matched. Hancock assembled a superb quintet for the job, with Wayne ShorterFind albums by this artist (soprano and tenor saxophone), Dave HollandFind albums by this artist (bass), Vinnie ColaiutaFind albums by this artist (drums) and Lionel LouekeFind albums by this artist (guitar). The ten tracks, combined and arranged to constitute a continuos suite-like experience, include eight Joni’s songs and two Jazz standards. Several vocalists were invited to interpret the vocal parts on six of the tracks and these include Norah JonesFind albums by this artist, Tina TurnerFind albums by this artist, Corinne Bailey RaeFind albums by this artist, Luciana SouzaFind albums by this artist, Joni Mitchell herself and Leonard CohenFind albums by this artist, who recites rather than sings. The overall effect is absolutely beautiful and deeply moving. The musicians are all Masters of their trade and they are amongst the most sensitive accompanist, as well as first rate soloists. Hats off Mr. Hancock and thanks for this wonderful gift of music and thank you Joni for bestowing your great talent on all of us – you truly deserve this tribute. Essential!

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DAVE HOLLAND ~ AZIZA DARE2 009 (Barcode: 634457738324) ~ UK ~ Jazz-World Fusion Recorded: 2015 Released: 2016 This is an album by British bassist / composer / bandleader Dave HollandFind albums by this artist, recorded in a quartet setting with American musicians: saxophonist Chris PotterFind albums by this artist, guitarist Lionel LouekeFind albums by this artist and drummer Eric HarlandFind albums by this artist. The album presents eight tracks, two composed by each member of the quartet, which emphasizes the fact that Holland sees this quartet as an equal partnership between himself and the rest of the quartet members. The album was released on the Dare2Find albums on this label label, owned by Holland. The music is strongly influenced by a variety of World Music influences, both melodically and rhythmically, including African, Latin and others. It is therefore quite unexpected and offers a fresh and unfamiliar facet of three members of the quartet, except for Loueke of course, whose African roots were always strongly present in his music. As such, the album is truly a delightful surprise, and proves again that Holland is definitely one of the most versatile and open-minded musical geniuses, whose extensive recording legacy covers some of the most important moments of modern Jazz in all of its exposures. Overall, this is a delightful and quite unusual album, which offers modern Jazz-World Fusion treated in many different facets and dimensions, perfectly performed by these stellar musicians and surprisingly different from most other recordings by Holland. Wholeheartedly recommended!

Updated: 23/06/2025Posted: 23/06/2025

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