Record Reviews

RUTH WILHELMINE MEYER ~ KLANGBIOTOPER OZELLA 083 (Barcode: 4038952000836) ~ NORWAY ~ Avant-Garde Jazz Recorded: 2016 - 2017 Released: 2018 This is the second album as a leader by Norwegian vocalist / composer Ruth Wilhelmine MeyerFind albums by this artist recorded with tuba player Lars Andreas HaugFind albums by this artist, Polish saxophonist Grzech PiotrowskiFind albums by this artist (Mayer is a member of Piotrowski´s World OrchestraFind albums by this artist) and percussionist Terje IsungsetFind albums by this artist. The album presents eleven compositions, seven of which are originals by Meyer and four originate mostly in Norwegian Folklore. The music includes some melodic references, but is mostly improvised by the participating musicians, creating a bizarre Avant-Garde sound environment sculptured by Meyer´s wordless vocalese and the unusual instrumentation. The message behind the music, which relates to the treatment of Nature by the Humans, as the album´s title suggests, is achieved by creating a biotope like sound environments, each telling a different tale. Meyer brilliantly uses the minimalist setting at her disposal to create a continuous evolving story that happens within the listener´s mind. The Norwegian Folk elements are smoothly absorbed within the unique sound universe that Meyer creates and become an integral part of the entire concept. Obviously this nontrivial music is not easy on the ear and requires open-mindedness and intellectual effort to get into, but for fans of ambitious musical terrain and adventurous escapades, should be able to feel home. Meyer deserves praise and respect for doing her own thing and taking no shortcuts or easy solutions. This music takes no prisoners and if one is not used to getting involved, please s better tay away. Overall this is uncompromising Avant-Garde statement, which offers novel vocal approach and truly inspiring, albeit fragmented instrumental contributions, which against all odds eventually make sense. Enter all ye brave!

Updated: 12/04/2019Posted: 13/11/2018

CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend

GRZECH PIOTROWSKI ~ LECH CZECH I RUS SYMPHONY POLSKIE RADIO 2045 (Barcode: 5907812248178) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz-Classical Fusion Recorded: 2017 Released: 2017 This is the eighth album by Polish saxophonist / composer Grzech PiotrowskiFind albums by this artist, which is his most ambitious project by far. It involves a large international instrumental ensemble he leads, called World OrchestraFind albums by this artist, a symphony orchestra (National Polish Radio Symphony OrchestraFind albums by this artist a.k.a. NOSPRFind albums by this artist), National Folk Instrument OrchestraFind albums by this artist from Kiev and two choirs (Choir Pro FormaFind albums by this artist from Poland and Choir Ars BrunensisFind albums by this artist form Czech Republic), altogether a mindboggling amount of players and musical complexity, recorded live at the magnificent NOSPR concert hall in Katowice. Piotrowski deserves the highest respect just for putting this gargantuan project together and for pulling it off. The music is a wonderful Jazz-Classical Fusion with strong ties to Slavic folklore, which of course is the subject matter of the entire enterprise. The legend about the three brothers that started the Slavic Nations (Poles, Czechs and Rus´) gives the point of reference and points out that despite historic developments the Slavic people share common ancestry and above all common Cultural values. The Classical Music nerds would probably debate the "symphony" part of the work´s title, as the thirteen-part composition is probably more a suite that a symphony, but overall the scope and the scale are definitely of symphonic proportions. The melodic motifs keep flowing one after another, arranged for many different vocal and instrumental setups and featuring many solo parts, some of which are partly improvised. The mood keeps changing from somber melancholic, typical Slavic melodies to highly expressive up-tempo dance-like frenzy, keeping the listener at his toes for the entire duration. This album is a proof that seemingly impossible undertakings can be realized by people of great talent and strong will. The most important message this music emphasizes is the universal unity of music, which freely crosses genres, languages, epochs and National borders. This music is accessible to every person on this planet, which is a very rare quality. Overall this album is a wonderful journey into the Slavic Culture, full of brilliant melodies and excellently performed by all the participants. Wholeheartedly recommended!

Updated: 06/07/2017Posted: 06/07/2017

CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend

WORLD ORCHESTRA ~ LIVE IN GDANSK UNIVERSAL 028948107599 (Barcode: 028948107599) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz-World Fusion Recorded: 2011 Released: 2013 The World Orchestra is a brainchild of Polish Jazz saxophonist / composer Grzech PiotrowskiFind albums by this artist, who managed to create an international ensemble of dozens of musicians from all over the world, which performs a sort of Jazz-World Fusion music, based on melodic themes with strong ethnic flavors. This album presents a live recording by the World Orchestra, featuring some world-famous World Music artists, like the Bulgarian kaval player Theodosii SpassovFind albums by this artist, Finnish kantele player Sinikka LangelandFind albums by this artist, the Bulgarian Voices AngeliteFind albums by this artist choir and many others. Polish artists included Atom String QuartetFind albums by this artist, pianist Marcin WasilewskiFind albums by this artist and a large orchestra; all in all 84 (according to the liner notes) musicians on one stage. They perform fourteen pieces, most of which were composed by Piotrowski, with a few exceptions. Although the logistics behind this project must have been staggering and the basic idea of combining musical cultures is definitely commendable, the overall result is very problematic. There is no common bond linking the different pieces together, no thematic thread, not even a loosely devised common denominator. As a result each of the pieces more or less works on its own, but is not connected to anything before and after it and the entire concert becomes a sort of tribute to different folkloristic themes, but not more. Although all the musicians involved are true masters of their respective trade, the lush orchestral arrangements and the ambience of Smooth Jazz floating above create a typical overproduced easy-listening music, which keeps the brain in a state of blissful lethargy. This kind of domesticated World Music is very popular since it is accessible to large crowds, who would definitely have a problem to stomach some authentic Folklore and need the sugary envelope to be able to swallow it. Of course one can wonder is this is the correct way to bring new musical thrills to people, but that becomes a question of moral / artistic choices. The CD is accompanied by a DVD of the same concert, which adds no additional music beyond the contents of the CD and is therefore completely redundant.

Updated: 26/10/2016Posted:

CD+DVD 2 Digipak Recommend To A Friend