Record Reviews

PETROS KLAMPANIS ~ CHROMA MOTEMA 219 (Barcode: 181212002195) ~ GREECE ~ Jazz-Classical Fusion Recorded: 2015 Released: 2017 This is the third album by Greek (resident in NY) bassist / composer Petros KlampanisFind albums by this artist, recorded with Israeli guitarist Gilad HekselmanFind albums by this artist, Israeli pianist Shai MaestroFind albums by this artist, American drummer John HadfieldFind albums by this artist and Japanese percussionist Keita OgawaFind albums by this artist. The quintet is accompanied by a string octet. The album was recorded live and presents seven compositions, five of which are by Klampanis, one by Hekselman and one by the Greek Jazz pianist / composer Spyros ManesisFind albums by this artist. The music is beautifully melodic and offers superb string arrangements, which together create an atmosphere of elegance and Classically influenced mood, spiced with the European Jazz stylistics, in spite of the fact that it was created by musicians resident in the US, which apparently did not manage to take away their sensitivities. Lyrical and melancholic, the music moves majestically from one composition to another, keeping the listener engulfed within the magical atmosphere of anticipation. The personal performances are all top class. Klampanis not only plays the expected bass lines which hold the music together, but explicitly leads the compositions via his bass intros and solos. Hekselman is one of the top guitar players today and his lead parts are always right on the money, with his electric guitar sound adding another dimension to the music, but not dominating it stylistically, which saves this album from moving into the Fusion idiom. Maestro plays mostly in the background but his harmonic parts are exactly what this music needs. Hadfield and Ogawa delicately add the rhythmic layer, carefully staying away from overly disturbing the gentle flow of the music. Overall this is a wonderful, delicate and intelligent album, which should make many open-minded Jazz and Jazz-Classical Fusion listeners ecstatically happy. Definitely recommended and worth investigating!

Updated: 20/02/2018Posted: 20/02/2018

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MARIA MANOUSAKI ~ BEHIND CLOSED DOORS PKMUSIC 0016 (Barcode: 731093032707) ~ GREECE ~ Jazz-World Fusion Recorded: 2024 Released: 2025 This is the 3rd album by Greek violinist / composer Maria ManousakiFind albums by this artist, recorded in a quartet setting with pianist Dimitris VerdinoglouFind albums by this artist, bassist Michael EvdemonFind albums by this artist and drummer Alekos RoupasFind albums by this artist. Seven guest musicians play on selected tracks, including Israeli drummer Ziv RavitzFind albums by this artist and bassist Petros KlampanisFind albums by this artist, who produced the album arranged the music with Manousaki. The album presents seven tracks, five of which are original compositions by Manousaki, one is an arrangement by a Pop song and one is an arrangement of a song by Cretan singer / songwriter Nikos XylourisFind albums by this artist. The music is a stunning Fusion of Jazz and Greek / Cretan traditions, full of incredible lyricism and melancholy, backed by Mediterranean rhythmic traditions. The incredible team that recorded the album comprises of superb instrumentalist, who are able to improvise as well as keep a tune, including the difficult off-beat rhythm changes and mood swings, with ease and elegance. Maria’s violin is sweet and heartbreaking, played delicately and seemingly with ease, but obviously backed up by incredible virtuosity and zest. She simply plays her heart out, eschewing unnecessary show-off, which pays off big time. The album is kept in a very restrained mood, obviously on purpose, to express the melancholic spirit of the music, but the same music, when played live (see below) can be also quite dynamic and spirited, all depending on the prevailing mood on stage. Listeners, who love Greek music, or the Mediterranean mood in general, spice with Jazzy licks, should be absolutely delighted with this music from start to finish. It is refined, delicate, but highly expressive and full of emotion and above all good taste. Overall, this is a beautiful gift of music, rich in melodic contents and spiritual feelings, exquisitely performed and fully gratifying, even for the most demanding listeners. Lovers of the Mediterranean spirit (like your truly) will be absolutely delighted, immediately longing for more, which will hopefully come soon. Thank you my Lady for this blissful gem! Side Note: By sheer luck me and my wife happened to be in Athens on the day, when Maria celebrated the release of this album at the Half Note Jazz club, which we attended. The entire album was played live by her and the incredible quartet and many guests musicians, and the night turned into a true orgy of sensational music, with standing ovation and repeated encores, which lasted for a very long time, all fully justified. We were especially impressed by the incredible performance by Alekos on the drums, which turned the evening into one of the finest experiences we enjoyed in a long time, especially following the many bleak recent months. Thank you all and most of all Maria, for inviting us!

Updated: 09/04/2025Posted: 09/04/2025

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