Record Reviews

DI TORO / GOLOUBEV / MATHISEN ~ TRIONOMICS CALIGOLA 2340 (Barcode: 8033433293406) ~ ITALY ~ Jazz Recorded: 2022 Released: 2023 This is an album by a Jazz trio led by Russian (resident in Italy) bassist / composer Yuri GoloubevFind albums by this artist, with Italian pianist Michele Di ToroFind albums by this artist and Norwegian guitarist Hans MathisenFind albums by this artist. The album presents ten tracks, four of which are original compositions by Mathisen and three each by Goloubev and Di Toro. The album offers a brilliant sound quality. The music is all melodic modern Jazz, offering elegant tunes, which are ideal vehicles for the trio members to show their excellent skills as instrumentalists and improvisers, which is the focus of the album. Mostly ballad oriented, the music flows gently and delicately, which enables the listener to enjoy every single note. It is all about beauty, elegance and cooperation, with no “show off” or unnecessary barrage of notes, au contraire every touch of the strings or keys seems to be perfectly designed to fit the music. Goloubev’s bass playing is on the same level of presence and amount of soloing, making the trio a perfectly balanced music making unit, and his beautiful tone, technique and rounded ambience are absolutely wonderful. As such this album is a true delight for Jazz bass lovers. Overall, this is a delightful listening experience, full of great melodic themes and virtuosic instrumental performances, which puts the bass as a full-fledged partner in the trio setting. Goloubev is certainly a player worth keeping an eye (ear) on and the album deserves an honorable place in any serious Jazz records collection.

Updated: 19/12/2025Posted: 19/12/2025

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MICHELE DI TORO / YURI GOLOUBEV ~ DUONOMICS CALIGOLA 2249 (Barcode: 8033433292492) ~ ITALY ~ Jazz Recorded: 2018 Released: 2018 This is an album by the duo comprising of Italian pianist / composer Michele Di ToroFind albums by this artist and Russian (resident in Italy) bassist / composer Yuri GoloubevFind albums by this artist. The album presents ten tracks, two (one each) are original compositions by Di Toro and Goloubev and the rest are standards. The album offers an excellent sound quality, which is one of the usual qualities by Jazz albums recorded in Italy. The intimate duo format is ideal for the musicians to express their mutual respect and long-lasting camaraderie, which developed over time and albums they recorded together, mostly in a trio setting. Now, within the duo setting, they can embrace to close cooperation, which allows both their individual expression and cooperative effort, unadulterated by any external influences. It is quite unusual to hear the way the duo manages to share the responsibility for the outcome of their cooperation, especially as far as giving each other both space and responsibility. The presence of the bass is felt very strongly every step of the way, bringing fond memories of the Bill EvansFind albums by this artist / Scott LaFaroFind albums by this artist interplays. Classically trained Goloubev has both the training and the talent to be there up front with the piano at all time, ignoring the traditional roles of soloist / accompanist – hence probably the meaning of the album’s title. Overall, this is a beautiful piece of Jazz music, which should completely satisfy even the sternest critics and pampered connoisseurs. Full of joy from making music together and presenting the brilliant “Art of the Duo” at its full meaning of the idiom. Wholeheartedly recommended!

Updated: 12/01/2026Posted: 12/01/2026

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YUMI ITO ~ INTERTWINED UNIT 4685 (Barcode: 7640114796852) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 2014 Released: 2015 This is the debut album by Polish / Japanese (resident in Switzerland) singer / songwriter Yumi ItoFind albums by this artist, accompanied by a trio comprising of Swiss saxophonist Gabriel DalvitFind albums by this artist and pianist Yves TheilerFind albums by this artist and Russian bassist Yuri GoloubevFind albums by this artist. The album presents eight tracks, all of which are classic Jazz standards sung in English. Ito was just twenty-four years old and still a student, when she recorded this album in London, already blessed with an extraordinary vocal ability and unique attitude, as anybody listening to this album can clearly determine. Her approach to the standards is anything but standard, and she takes many risks and liberties, often bordering on Free, amicably supported by the trio. Goloubev supplies an admirably solid bass footing, which holds the music brilliantly together, and sax and piano support Ito following her lead, taking the music away from the source as far as she decides to do. The result, especially in retrospect, is nothing less than sensational. Overall, this is wonderful vocal Jazz album, which presets familiar Jazz standards at times quite close to the original version and also quite far away. Whatever the case may be, it is always superbly performed, both by the singer and the instrumentalists, and in retrospect it presents the early days of one of the most interesting Jazz vocalist to emerge in the last decade. Side Note: I have been looking for a copy of this album helplessly for a decade, until my meeting a few weeks ago in Switzerland with Harald HaerterFind albums by this artist, the founder and original owner of UnitFind albums on this label Records, where he gave me a copy of the album, which closed a big gap in my collection. It appears that I am a stubborn bastard…

Updated: 09/11/2025Posted: 09/11/2025

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ROBERTO OLZER TRIO ~ AURORA ATELIER SAWANO 505 ~ ITALY ~ Jazz Recorded: 2023 Released: 2024 This is an album by Italian pianist / composer Roberto OlzerFind albums by this artist and his trio with Russian (resident in Italy) bassist Yuri GoloubevFind albums by this artist and drummer Mauro BeggioFind albums by this artist. The album presents twelve tracks, four of which are original compositions by Olzer, three are by Goloubev, two are cinematic compositions, one a Classical composition, one is by Dutch pianist Mike del FerroFind albums by this artist and finally (and surprisingly) one is by a pair of brilliant Israeli songwriters Matti CaspiFind albums by this artist and Shlomo GronichFind albums by this artist. The album was recorded at the fabulous Artesuono Studio in Udine (Italy) and engineered by Stefano AmerioFind albums by this artist, which of course means that the sound quality is superb. The album was released on the prestigious Japanese Atelier SawanoFind albums on this label label. The music is absolutely delightful from start to finish, presenting a well-balanced collection of compositions, which keep the listener alert and anticipating every moment. Olzer plays with wonderful sensitivity, treating the music with respect and delicate personal interpretation, sparingly and elegantly, with no showoff whatsoever. Goloubev is a truly brilliant bassist, and although I discovered his work only recently, he is already on the short list of my favorite Jazz bassists. Beggio keeps his drumming on the second plane, carefully and subtly adding a gentle rhythmic later, most importantly not disturbing the beautiful piano / bass symbiosis. It is very rare these days to hear so much modesty and self-control as displayed on this album. These three musicians simply caress their instruments, applying as much pressure as minimally required to produce the perfect sound. I also admire the leader to give the bassist so much space and soloing opportunity as present here, which of course is fully justified by the phenomenal display of Goloubev’s technique and skill. Overall, this is a perfect Jazz piano trio album in every respect: a great selection of music, superb performances and sublime sound quality, everything a Jazz connoisseur looks for, when listening to an album. European aesthetics, which are always a good measure for Art, add to the pleasure of being embraced by this music. My wholehearted thanks to the Artists!

Updated: 01/01/2026Posted: 01/01/2026

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MACIEK PYSZ ~ A JOURNEY DOT TIME 9044 (Barcode: 604043904426) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz-World Fusion Recorded: 2014 Released: 2015 This is the second album by Polish (resident in London) guitarist / composer Maciek PyszFind albums by this artist, recorded in a quartet setting with celebrated Italian bandoneónist / pianist Daniele di BonavenuraFind albums by this artist, Russian bassist Yuri GoloubevFind albums by this artist and Israeli drummer Asaf SirkisFind albums by this artist (also resident in London). The album presents twelve compositions, ten of which are originals by Pysz, one is an original co-composed with Italian guitarist Gianluca CoronaFind albums by this artist and one is composed by Ralph TownerFind albums by this artist. The music was recorded at the wonderful Artesuono Studio in Italy and engineered by Stefano AmerioFind albums by this artist with spectacular sound quality. Pysz continues the path already established on his debut album, which presents him as a superb composer and a virtuoso guitar player, which in spite of his young age (born 1982) propels him directly to the very top of contemporary Jazz-World Fusion musicians. The beauty and depth of the compositions presented on this album as well as their extraordinary execution are simply marvelous. The music, although obviously deeply personal, is at the same time completely universal, crossing melodic and rhythmic boundaries with ease and amalgamating the absolute best of the diverse Musical cultures from all over the world. Pysz has an ability to weave exquisite melodies, which in spite their sweetness manage to avoid completely even the slightest suspicion of cliché and kitsch. This is a very rare gift and he uses it exceptionally well. The three musicians that accompany Pysz on his journey are all top professionals: di Bonavenura provides the perfect harmonic and melodic counterpart to the guitar parts and his melancholy and delicate lyricism are simply ideally suited to this music, Goloubev is one of the most sophisticated bassists in Europe, his sound is absolutely unique and his emotional intelligence is incomparable, and finally Sirkis, who grew "under my wings" at the early stages of his career, turned into one of the Master drummers of our times, playing very subtly on this album, but his sole solo spot here is such a classic of the trade that it should be studied by all drummers. There is no doubt that this is an amazing album, full of musical beauty, aesthetic pleasure and extraordinary musicianship, an album that has only a very few equals among the numerous other albums released on a world scale. Blessed by the talent and the friendship of his fellow musicians Pysz gives the world a brilliant gift of music, which should leave not a soul untouched. Essential listening for Body and Soul!

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MACIEK PYSZ ~ INSIGHT 33 RECORDS 231 (Barcode: 5020883337319) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz-World Fusion Recorded: 2013 Released: 2013 This is one of those unexpected pleasant surprises that arrive in my mail box from time to time, which are not only musical delights but also have a personal aspect, closing one of the infinite connections woven during my life as a Jazz activist. Maciek PyszFind albums by this artist is a Polish guitarist / composer resident in London since 2003 and is considered as one of the most interesting upcoming players on the scene. His cohorts are Russian bassist Yuri GoloubevFind albums by this artist, a classically trained player living now in Milan, and Israeli drummer Asaf SirkisFind albums by this artist, also resident in London, considered as one of the best players around. Of course Sirkis is one of the many "kids on the block" that grew up under my wings and received their first recording opportunity on my record label, hence I consider him as one of my "musical children" spread all over the world. The trio performs nine original compositions, all by Pysz (one co-composed with the Italian guitarist Gianluca CoronaFind albums by this artist), who was also in charge of the exquisite arrangements. The music is a wonderful amalgam of influences mixing Jazzy improvisations with multicultural backgrounds including Gypsy, Flamenco, Latin and Brazilian folklore and European Classical music. Rhythmic influences also touch upon Middle Eastern pulsations. Together these elements are wonderfully interwoven, producing a completely unique musical identity, which belongs to the guitar based Jazz-World Fusion universe pioneered by such luminaries as Al Di MeolaFind albums by this artist, Ralph TownerFind albums by this artist or John McLaughlinFind albums by this artist, among others. Without any exaggeration, this music is every bit as good as the music created by these great Masters. But the excellent compositions and arrangements are also accompanied by superb performances. All three players are obvious virtuosi, each capable of astounding performance, and when combined are capable of truly wondrous music making. Pysz has a superb technique but even more so a deep feeling. The acoustic / classical guitar laughs and weeps, switches between cheerful lightheadedness and moody melancholy. The single notes and the chords are always in harmonious relation to each other and to the two other musicians. Goloubev is already quite famous as a classical player, but his performances here show that his feel and respect for Jazz are of no lesser magnitude. Sirkis, who "holds his horses" and intelligently fits his percussive magic to the delicate acoustic surroundings, simply binds the entire musical experience into a complete and perfect artistic message. As if all the above was not enough, the album is also superbly recorded, with an astonishing sonic ambience and dynamics of the highest quality, which turns the experience of listening to the music into a true delight. This is obviously "guitar heaven" for guitar buffs, but any true music connoisseur should find this album extraordinary in every sense. Wholeheartedly recommended!

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