Record Reviews

DIMITRIS KALANTZIS ~ MANO`S VERVE 6025277648016 (Barcode: 602527764801) ~ GREECE ~ Jazz Recorded: 2011 Released: 2011 This is an insanely beautiful album by Greek Jazz pianist Dimitris KalantzisFind albums by this artist and his quintet, with saxophonist Takis PaterelisFind albums by this artist, trumpeter Andreas PolyzogopoulosFind albums by this artist, bassist George GeorgiadisFind albums by this artist and drummer Alexandros-Drakos KtistakisFind albums by this artist. The quintet is accompanied by the Athens CamerataFind albums by this artist string orchestra conducted by Miltos LogiadisFind albums by this artist. As the title suggests, the album is a Jazz tribute to the great Greek composer Manos HadjidakisFind albums by this artist and all the nine tracks are composed by him. Hadjidakis needs no introduction of course, and his enormous body of work is an absolutely essential part of European culture, spanning the entire spectrum of music from popular, cinema, folklore and Classical music. His music received many interpretations in Rock, like the famous “ReflectionsFind albums with this title” album by the New York Rock & Roll EnsembleFind albums by this artist, but this is one of the very few Jazz projects covering his music. The quintet’s treatment of Hadjidakis’ music is close to the original melodic contents, but allows the individual music to solo extensively. The string arrangements are subtle and atmospheric, emphasizing the lyrical depth of the compositions, and cleverly shunning any kitschy accents, which is highly commendable. This album is a wonderful example of good taste, perfect balance between its source and the Jazzy interpretation, excellent sound quality and just heartbreakingly beautiful music. I hope more Greek Jazz musicians would pay tribute to their National music hero. Overall, this is a perfect album in every respect, which offers excellent music, brilliant arrangements, superb performances and a general feel of Cultural respect to one’s roots. I picked this jewel accidentally, while browsing the Greek Jazz section in a second hand music store in Athens old town, which had a great selection of stuff – love Athens!

Updated: 26/07/2025Posted: 15/07/2025

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend

RAINING PLEASURE ~ REFLECTIONS: MUSIC BY MANOS HADJIDAKIS BLUE NOTE 094631153624 (Barcode: 094631153624) ~ GREECE ~ Progressive Rock Recorded: 2004 - 2005 Released: 2005 Anybody our there remembers the legendary 1969 album Reflections: Music By Manos HadjidakisFind albums with this title by the New York Rock & Roll EnsembleFind albums by this artist? If you do, you surely appreciate how revolutionary and pioneering it was at the time. Manos HadjidakisFind albums by this artist cooperated with a group of young Rock musicians and composed a cycle of songs called “Reflections” (with English lyrics) especially for them. The resulting album created quite a sensation at the time and became a cult album in the years to follow. Hadjidakis was of course the greatest 20th century Greek composer who at that time was a political exile in the US (between 1966 and 1972), as were many other Greek intellectuals and artists who opposed the military dictatorship in their native country. In 1993 Hadjidakis re-recorded “Reflections”, this time with Greek lyrics. Raining PleasureFind albums by this artist, the most prominent and ambitious Rock group in Greece since the mid-1990’s re-recorded “Reflections” yet again in late 2004 / early 2005 with the original English lyrics again, but with much richer and profound instrumental arrangements, developing it into a full-blown Prog masterpiece. Featuring the Mellotron as the main instrument, this is a beautiful and sensitive piece of musical artistry. The original music by Hadjidakis remains as profoundly moving as it ever was, but the modern treatment takes it into new musical vistas, proving that the music is absolutely timeless. Anybody with a well-developed taste for quality will enjoy this masterpiece immensely, regardless of his / hers cultural background, as this music is definitely beyond any boundaries.

Updated: 15/07/2025Posted:

CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend