Record Reviews

MARTIN BRUNNER BAND ~ LEVELS OF LIFE ANIMAL MUSIC 080 (Barcode: 8594155999538) ~ CZECH REPUBLIC ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion Recorded: 2019 Released: 2019 This is the fifth album by the Czech Jazz pianist / composer Martin BrunnerFind albums by this artist and his first recording with the quartet called Martin Brunner BandFind albums by this artist, which also includes guitarist Tomas FuchsFind albums by this artist, Slovak bassist Rastislav UhrikFind albums by this artist and drummer Roman VichaFind albums by this artist. The album presents nine original compositions by Brunner, but on the album’s artwork the composer gives credit to the other members of the band for shaping the final arrangements of these compositions. The music was excellently recorded at the SONO Records studio and engineered by Milan CimfeFind albums by this artist. Brunner is a member of the composers’ collective The Prague SixFind albums by this artist (see Concept Art OrchestraFind albums by this artist) and collaborated with many other musicians on the local scene in various genres. He is considered as one of the leading young composers in the Czech Republic. His previous four albums as a leader were recorded with a piano trio (or in one case piano trio and string quartet) and are all excellent. This album finds Brunner in a completely new musical environment, playing contemporary Fusion (for a lack of better definition), which offers a set of wonderful compositions performed with a Rocky attitude. But the music is quite different from what most listeners consider as Fusion these days, since it is way more ambitious and sophisticated than the usual contemporary Fusion doodling. Brunner plays a lot of acoustic piano (which is already unusual for a Fusion album) and an analog synthesizer and the guitarist uses a plethora of different sounds, eschewing unnecessary boring long solos. The rhythm section is also superb, playing excellent polyrhythms and odd times with ease and elegance. The bass adds a wonderful basis for the entire sound, and although soloes sparingly, his playing is absolutely virtuosic. Overall this music is simply ravishing from start to finish, fondly reminiscent of the early days of Fusion, when the music was truly innovative and challenging, setting new rules of what was possible within the symbiosis of Jazz and Rock. Brunner’s compositions are full of unexpected turns and twists, which keeps the listener in check for the duration. For all appreciative Fusion lovers, especially those of the older generation, who remember the idiom at its prime and the younger, who wish to learn how it can be done at its best, this album is an absolute must. Hats off!

Updated: 27/02/2021Posted: 27/02/2021

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JAROMIR HONZAK ~ FACE OF THE BASS ANIMAL MUSIC 025 (Barcode: 8594155995134) ~ CZECH REPUBLIC ~ Jazz Recorded: 2010 - 2011 Released: 2011 This is the sixth album by Czech Jazz bassist / composer / bandleader Jaromir HonzakFind albums by this artist recorded with keyboardists Beata HlavenkovaFind albums by this artist and Michal NejtekFind albums by this artist, saxophonist / clarinetist Marcel BartaFind albums by this artist and drummer Roman VichaFind albums by this artist. The album presents nine pieces, four of which are original compositions by Honzak, two are original compositions by Nejtek, one is an original composition by Hlavenkova and the final two are Honzak’s arrangements of Pop songs. Two of the tracks feature string orchestra arrangements. The music is beautifully recorded at SONO Records studio by Milan CimfeFind albums by this artist. The album has a unique atmosphere, quite different from most of Honzak’s recorded legacy, being perhaps his most Fusion oriented work to date. It is still very much rooted in Jazz of course, but the synthesizer soaked sound and the choice of material gives the music a more contemporary feel, definitely way more accessible to a wider and perhaps younger audience. But the music is, as always, wonderful from start to finish and so are the performances. The double keyboards sound, electric and synthesized, inspires a somewhat reminiscent aura of the early Weather Report at its best. Honzak bass is always at the very core of the music, leading it steadily and keeping things in perfect balance. Honzak proves again his versatility as a composer and arranger, capable of playing around with moods and emotions, like only very few other musicians can, always preserving his aesthetic integrity, regardless of the stylistic proximity of the music at hand. The arrangements of the AbbaFind albums by this artist song “Dancing Queen” or the electronics / house hit “Poor Leno” by RöyksoppFind albums by this artist are a schoolbook example of his ability to play with the original melody like it was made of plasteline. Overall this is another superb album in Honzak’s impressive discography, which never ceases to amaze, surprise and delight. Wholeheartedly recommended!

Updated: 24/02/2021Posted: 23/02/2021

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VIT KRISTAN ~ IMPRINTS ANIMAL MUSIC 036 (Barcode: 8594155997121) ~ CZECH REPUBLIC ~ Jazz Recorded: 2012 - 2013 Released: 2013 This is the debut album by young and upcoming Czech pianist / composer Vit KristanFind albums by this artist recorded with his trio called Vit Kristan ProjectFind albums by this artist which includes veteran bassist Jaromir HonzakFind albums by this artist and drummer Roman VichaFind albums by this artist, and guests: Slovak trumpeter Oskar TorokFind albums by this artist and Polish guitarist Marek KadzielaFind albums by this artist and vocalist Agnieszka TwardochFind albums by this artist (on one track only). The album presents twelve original compositions, all by Kristan. The music was splendidly recorded at the SONO Records studio and engineered by Milan CimfeFind albums by this artist. The music is melody based modern European Jazz, typical of Eastern European ensembles and offering excellent and highly original compositions and conceptually atypical approach to the Jazz idiom, now rejuvenated by the rapidly growing new generation of European musicians, who refuse to simply follow the tradition and are ready to innovate even at a very young age, like in this case. Schooled at the Katowice Music Academy Kristan´s ties with the young generation of Polish Jazz musicians is pretty natural and continued in the years following his return home. The participation of Kadziela effectively expands the sonic range and stylistic diversity of the music with his Rock / Fusion soaked approach. Kristan consistently displays an affinity towards guitar players in his recordings following this debut, often with Czech guitarist Dawid Doruzka. The superb rhythm section of Honzak and Vicha bless this music with a wonderful feel of swing, despite the relatively open playing by these veterans, with a superb diversity and flexibility, which allow Kristan to venture into extensive soloing utilizing uneven rhythmic patterns. Listening to this album in retrospect, since for some strange reason it did not reach me earlier, and after being familiar with quite a few of his recordings released since, it clearly shows that although it is perhaps a tad hesitant, he was already a mature musician and even more so a highly promising composer blessed with an unusual talent. It is a bit strange that Kristan did not record a follow up album as a leader so far, and I certainly hope he won´t let as linger for much longer. In the meantime we can enjoy his work as a sideman or co-leader, which is always excellent, but it is high time for new original compositions, by a fully blossomed Artist. This album is still highly recommended of course!

Updated: 05/10/2020Posted: 05/10/2020

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TOMAS SYKORA ~ SONGS FOR ORCHESTRA ANIMAL MUSIC 093 (Barcode: 8594155997213) ~ CZECH REPUBLIC ~ Pop-Classical Fusion Recorded: 2020 Released: 2021 This is an album by Czech pianist / composer Tomas SykoraFind albums by this artist, a member of The Prague SixFind albums by this artist composers group. It presents a live concert recording of a Jazz quartet with Sykora, saxophonist David FranekFind albums by this artist, bassist Tomas LiskaFind albums by this artist and drummer Roman VichaFind albums by this artist with the Prague Radio Symphony OrchestraFind albums by this artist conducted by Stepanka BalcarovaFind albums by this artist. The music includes Jazz-Classical Fusion arrangements of three pieces: a composition by veteran Czech Jazz pianist / composer Karel RuzickaFind albums by this artist, a five-part suite composed by Sykora and a suite composed by saxophonist / composer Karel Ruzicka Jr.Find albums by this artist, the son of Ruzicka Senior, based on his compositions for the album “Grace & GratitudeFind albums with this title”, compiled and arranged by Sykora. The music is beautifully melodic and full of Eastern European melancholy, which of course is hardly surprising. Although composed by three very different composers, the amalgam with the orchestral arrangements and the spirit driving the music manages to create a coherent, well-structured musical experience, which is aesthetically pleasing. Despite the fact that many symphonic Jazz projects end up as complete failures, this project is perfectly able to defend the very idea that such joint ventures can be both viable and rewarding. Sykora manages to create a very delicate balance between the quartet parts and the orchestral parts, which is very tricky. The transitions between the Jazz quartet performances and the Classical orchestra ones are smooth and logical and offer a natural development. Personally I admire Balcarova, who manages to make the symphonic orchestra to sound at times much closer to a Jazz Big Band than a Classical orchestra, which is very rarely achieved – beautifully done indeed. Even the “Grace & Gratitude” material sounds way more attractive than the original album version, which sadly lacked any originality. With the new arrangements the music feels alive and comes back to its Cultural home, where it belongs. Overall this is a wonderful album, which manages to create a consistent bridge between Jazz and Classical Music, avoiding all the kitschy traps that often imperil such efforts. It offers beautiful music, superbly arranged and splendidly executed, which should keep all lovers of such cross-genre explorations totally satisfied. Despite the fact that the music was recorded live, it offers wonderful sound quality and separation, as usual with Animal MusicFind albums on this label releases, which are an epitome of European elegance and grace, made the Czech way – hats off!

Updated: 05/08/2021Posted: 05/08/2021

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TOMAS SYKORA TRIO & AID KID ~ ALCHEMY ANIMAL MUSIC 114 (Barcode: 8594211850216) ~ CZECH REPUBLIC ~ Jazz-Ambient Fusion Recorded: 2023 Released: 2023 This is an album by the Czech Jazz pianist / composer Tomas SykoraFind albums by this artist and his trio with bassist Tomas LiskaFind albums by this artist and drummer Roman VichaFind albums by this artist, augmented by the electronics artist Aid KidFind albums by this artist (a.k.a. Ondra MikulaFind albums by this artist). The album presents nine tracks, all original compositions by Sykora. The music is a highly exciting and innovative piece of contemporary Jazz, fused with electronics, which results in a fresh, up to date sound and feel, sometimes close to contemporary electronic Pop music, but still very much within the Jazz territory, with extensive improvisations by the leader and vigorous support by the slick rhythm section. Sykora plays both acoustic piano and synthesizers, but the listener is surrounded by an electric perception, as a result of the electronic layers, electric bass and synthesizer parts. Yet the result manages to retain a solid melodic background and continuity, which keeps the music within a clearly harmonic environment, not crossing over to the Pop, Dance, Techno and Trance idioms. Some Jazz purist my find this music too far removed from the Jazz tradition, but let’s keep in mind that Sykora has already proven his Jazz background beyond any doubt and this experimentation is nothing else but an attempt to discover new areas of interest, without compromising quality or aesthetic values. Overall, this is an interesting and innovative attempt to amalgamate Jazz and electronic music, based on a set of highly melodic compositions, excellently executed by the participating musicians. Perhaps not universally appealing to the broad Jazz audiences, but highly interesting to the younger listeners, who are exposed to electronic sounds on a daily basis and should find this music familiar enough to explore it further. Definitely worth investigating!

Updated: 19/08/2023Posted: 19/08/2023

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