Record Reviews

NIKOL BOKOVA ~ ELEMENTS SOLEIL ET PLUIE 1001 (Barcode: 8785260877662) ~ CZECH REPUBLIC ~ Jazz Recorded: 2022 Released: 2022 This is the fourth album by Czech Jazz pianist / composer Nikol BokovaFind albums by this artist, recorded with a quartet, which includes also guitarist David DoruzkaFind albums by this artist, bassist Martin KocianFind albums by this artist and drummer Michal WierzgonFind albums by this artist. The album presents seven original compositions, all by Bokova. The music was recorded at the fabulous SONO Records studio, engineered by Jan ValaFind albums by this artist and Milan CimfeFind albums by this artist, with the usual spectacular sound quality. Coming from Classical Music, Bokova slowly developed her own unique musical universe over a period of just a few years, which offers a fascinating journey in the time / sound continuum. With her proceeding third album her stylistic preferences were crystalized, embracing the broadly defined Jazz idiom, but still very intensely rooted in Classical conventions. The meeting with Doruzka seems to be the decisive turning point, as he is probably the ideal interpreter of her melodic / harmonic approach, and his sublime guitar phrasing embodies her compositions perfectly. The music is deeply melancholic, almost mournful at times, bringing associations of black and white cinematic vistas, but not depressing, only deeply reflective. As such, the music demands attentive and intensive listening, which is ultimately very rewarding. Overall, this is a very distinctive musical experience, which despite its restrained nature is deeply penetrating and absorbing. The music is beautifully performed by the quartet and offers a truly spiritual encounter. It is great to see Bokova make such a rapid progress and, as always, to encounter Doruzka’s guitar magic. Thanks for the music Milady and good luck with your own label!

Updated: 24/02/2023Posted: 23/02/2023

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NIKOL BOKOVA ~ EXPEDITION SOLEIL ET PLUIE 1005 (Barcode: 8785260881669) ~ CZECH REPUBLIC ~ Jazz Recorded: 2023 Released: 2023 This is the 6th album by Czech pianist / composer / bandleader Nikol BokovaFind albums by this artist, recorded with her quartet, which includes guitarist David DoruzkaFind albums by this artist, bassist Martin KocianFind albums by this artist and drummer Michal WierzgonFind albums by this artist. Norwegian trumpeter Gunnar HalleFind albums by this artist guests on a couple of tracks and the sound engineer Jan Bok ValaFind albums by this artist adds some electronics. The album presents nine tracks, all original compositions by Bokova. Bokova continues her “expedition” into various musical universes, this time travelling the furthest from her Classical Music sources, into somewhat ambient vistas, with a set of beautiful compositions, which she weaves splendidly. The sound is more electric than on any of her earlier albums, and even some electronic soundscapes are mixed within the fabric of the music, creating a completely new visage of Bokova. Although obviously the leader behind the music, Bokova steps back as far as soloing is concerned, which is put into the capable hands of Doruzka, who proves again to be one of the most versatile and capable European Jazz guitarist around. His resourcefulness and talent are simply amazing and slowly he managed to create a unique sound and style, which is immediately recognizable. Of course the rest of the team is also brilliant, with Bokova’s clever, soulful and delicate piano parts and superbly crafted rhythm section parts, which comply superbly with the music, which results in a final effect way more than just a sum of its parts. Even the trumpet solos on the two tracks suit the music perfectly with their Nordic atmosphere. Overall, this is a beautiful album, full of deeply melodic tunes, perfectly crafted, and brilliantly executed by a well-chosen team of excellent musicians. I can’t imagine any true lover of sophisticated music not falling in love with this music instantly. The only “snag” is that the album lasts only for slightly over half an hour, and when it ends one longs for more… But good things come in small helpings! Congratulations are in order for another brilliant album, and Bokova’s productivity seems to have no limits. Thank you for the music, my Friend!

Updated: 23/08/2024Posted: 23/08/2024

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NIKOL BOKOVA ~ FEATHERS SOLEIL ET PLUIE 1007 (Barcode: 721688578284) ~ CZECH REPUBLIC ~ Jazz Recorded: 2024 Released: 2024 This is the 8th album by Czech pianist / composer Nikol BokovaFind albums by this artist, which returns to the classic piano trio format with bassist Martin KocianFind albums by this artist and drummer Michal WierzgonFind albums by this artist. The album presents nine tracks, all original compositions by Bokova. It is great to hear Bokova again in a trio setting, which was her “entry point” to the Jazz recording milieu five years ago. Eight albums in five years is an incredible accomplishment, especially in view of the tremendous journey these albums represent, moving between piano solo, trio, small ensembles and orchestral recordings, always elegant, beautifully melodic, heartfelt and graceful. I truly enjoyed this voyage, and although I criticized, what I saw as her Classical mannerisms, at the early stages, I learned to love and embrace her music in time. This is probably the most “romantic” of her albums so far, full of Eastern European lyricism and melancholy, which we share in our genes. The album is short, just slightly above half an hour in duration, but perhaps exactly enough before the listener’s heart is shattered. The short pieces create a fluid continuity, and as their titles suggest, are a continuous tone cycle, rather than a collection of separate pieces. The rhythm section, which accompanies her on most of her recordings, is as usual doing a perfect job, reliable like a Swiss watch and at the same time inventive and virtuosic. The sound quality is also perfect, as usual, so what else can one ask for in order to enjoy a heavenly, intimate tete-a-tete with a musical friend. Overall, this is another splendid album by Bokova, who with her chameleonic ability to switch between Jazz sub-genres as elegantly as a model changing dresses during a fashion show, is charming as usual. Now with her own record label, she can do really whatever she pleases, and as long as she does it as gratifyingly as of now, she has me on her side unquestionably.

Updated: 26/01/2025Posted: 26/01/2025

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NIKOL BOKOVA ~ HER COUNTRY SOLEIL ET PLUIE 1006 (Barcode: 788364844064) ~ CZECH REPUBLIC ~ Classical Recorded: 2024 Released: 2024 This is the 7th album by Czech pianist / composer Nikol BokovaFind albums by this artist, which takes her back to her Classical Music roots. The album was recorded with the Baborak EnsembleFind albums by this artist, which includes a string section expanded by several additional instruments and mezzo-soprano singer Bella AdamovaFind albums by this artist, conducted by French Horn player / conductor Radek BaborakFind albums by this artist. The music is a six-part cycle / tone poem, composed by Bokova and with lyrics on two of the cycle’s parts by her and her husband Jan Bok ValaFind albums by this artist. The music celebrates the 200th Birthday Anniversary of the Czech national composer Bedrich SmetanaFind albums by this artist, with elements of his compositions being an inspiration to some of the cycle’s parts, but Bokova also mentions other more recent influences behind the music, like the fate of Czech politician Milada HorakovaFind albums by this artist, a victim of a judicial murder by the Communist party and a national hero, as well as Bokova’s family history. The music is an interesting amalgam of typical 19th Century Classical Music elements, like Romanticism and Revolutionary / Nationalistic movements, with more modern elements, especially noticeable in the orchestration and less strict tonal and structural limitations. The overall result is moving and beautifully melodic, which makes it accessible to a wide range of listeners, not necessarily only Classical Music connoisseurs. It is great to see Bokova returning to her musical roots with love and an open mind. It is extremely difficult to be innovative within Classical Music, which has half a Millennium of traditions and rules, which made it more rigid and obstructive than other Art Forms. Bokova proposes here a wonderful balance between the tradition and innovation. Overall, this is quite an unusual piece of music, which might require a while to get acquainted with, but once embraced offers a truly delightful musical experience, assuming the listener is able to “let go” of what he considers as “proper” Classical Music, and just opens his heart. A glass of good wine might be of help. Thank you for the music Milady!

Updated: 28/01/2025Posted: 28/01/2025

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NIKOL BOKOVA ~ INNER PLACE ANIMAL MUSIC 079 (Barcode: 8594155999507) ~ CZECH REPUBLIC ~ Jazz-Classical Fusion Recorded: 2019 Released: 2019 This is the debut album (within the Jazz idiom) by Czech pianist / composer Nikol BokovaFind albums by this artist, recorded in a classic Jazz piano trio setting with bassist Martin KocianFind albums by this artist and drummer Michal WierzgonFind albums by this artist. The album presents thirteen original compositions, all by Bokova. Growing up surrounded by Classical Music and performing as pianist since childhood, Bokova discovered Jazz relatively late in her career, but it seems that the new passion is truly burning in her heart as with in a year she already released a second album “Unravel”, also recorded with the same trio. The album presents a series of relatively short compositions, which offer limited melodic content and concentrate on rhythmic chord sequences instead. The Classical Music influence and schooling dominate the overall approach, which is carefully worked to the last detail but lacks the natural Jazz flow. Classical Music listeners will surely recognize motifs characteristic of 20th Century composers within Bokova’s music, which of course is completely understandable. Combining Classical Music and Jazz is certainly a daunting task, with no guarantees whatsoever. Overall this is certainly a promising debut, but the music needs refinement and focus, which will strengthen the Jazz related elements and add compositional diversity or move entirely towards interpretation of Classical Music compositions, a step Bokova took on the a.m. second album. Of course this is just my personal view and I wish the Lady good luck and Godspeed.

Updated: 04/03/2021Posted: 04/03/2021

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NIKOL BOKOVA ~ NAKED PIECES SOLEIL ET PLUIE 1002 (Barcode: 8785260878881) ~ CZECH REPUBLIC ~ Jazz-Classical Fusion Recorded: 2022 Released: 2022 This is the fifth album by Czech Jazz / Classical pianist / composer Nikol BokovaFind albums by this artist, her first solo piano album and her second release on her own record label. The album presents ten tracks, all of which are original compositions by Bokova. The music is strongly related to the Classical Music side of Bokova’s musical persona and although obviously improvised, it sounds mostly like interpretations of Classical pieces. There is a distinct melodic presence and the sound / atmosphere / mood / ambience all pull towards Classical Music rather than Jazz. But the same can be said about many similar albums by some of the greatest Jazz Artists, with Keith JarrettFind albums by this artist immediately coming to mind, which means that these Classical influences / manifestations should not be taken as criticism, but rather as a classification, in order to find the right audience for the music. After listening to the music for the second time in order to avoid false first impressions, I am happy to say that Bokova managed to win me over unconditionally, as the music is definitely a demonstration of both brilliant performances and convincing compositional qualities. She is what she is and trying to pigeonhole her Art is simply futile, so it’s best simply to accept her for what she is – a wonderful musician / composer tightrope dancing between the genres, skillfully and perfectly poised high in the air. I admit of having some reservations about her music earlier on and even stating them openly, but I now humbly admit that my reservations were all misjudged, and her consistency simply convinced me to listen again and open my mind. Nobody’s perfect… please forgive me Milady. Overall, this is a stunning piece of music, regardless of what one wants to categorize it stylistically, which requires attentive listening but offers a rewarding depth and aesthetic abundance. The sound quality is absolutely marvelous, which of course is an added asset, especially in case of a solo piano recording. Not to be missed!

Updated: 13/08/2023Posted: 13/08/2023

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NIKOL BOKOVA ~ PROMETHEUS ANIMAL MUSIC 094 (Barcode: 8594155997206) ~ CZECH REPUBLIC ~ Jazz Recorded: 2021 Released: 2021 This is the third album by Czech Jazz pianist / composer Nikol BokovaFind albums by this artist recorded with an impressive team of Czech musicians: French horn player Radek BaborakFind albums by this artist, guitarist David DoruzkaFind albums by this artist, Maestro Jaromir HonzakFind albums by this artist on bass and finally drummer Michal WierzgonFind albums by this artist. The album offers ten original compositions, all by the leader. The music was recorded at the excellent SONO Records studio and engineered by Milan CimfeFind albums by this artist, with the usual spectacular sound quality. The music on this album shows another step in Bokova’s artistic development, which seems to have found the necessary focus this time, based on solid melodic themes, which serve as basis for the superb improvisations by the quintet members. The French horn is a link to her Classical Music ties, and adds a nice touch to the entire sound produced by the quintet, supplying a melancholic, almost orchestral layer. Doruzka is the most impressive / intensive soloist, creating some unearthly beautiful phrases, which leaves Bokova to state the melodies and harmonize, soloing rather sparingly. Honzak is in charge of the rhythmic background, safe in his steady hands, masterly filling the blanks, and Wierzgon adds subtle drum parts, which are more coloristic than actually rhythmical. Most of the tracks are rather short and the entire album lasts for only slightly over forty minutes, which reflects the minimalist approach of the complete statement that Bokova wishes to leave the listen with. There are many understatements in the music, leaving the listener to fill the blanks; an approach often used by contemporary young Jazz Artists. Of course the assumption that the listeners will stand up to the challenge is not without its risks. Overall, it is satisfying to see / hear Bokova finding her own aesthetics and direction, following a rather hesitative start of her Jazz adventure. This album is certainly a fruit of maturity and dedication, wonderfully balancing her roots and making a unique statement, which is a joy to listen to from start to finish. With the help of some of the best European musicians, she certainly reached a save harbor this time. Well done!

Updated: 24/02/2023Posted: 02/08/2022

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