Record Reviews

DEMON BROWN / JONATHAN GEE ~ GOOD COP BAD COP 33 RECORDS 061 ~ UK ~ Jazz Demon BrownFind albums by this artist (trumpet) & Jonathan GeeFind albums by this artist (piano) are both representatives of the young generation of UK jazz players, who share not only deep knowledge and perfect technical skills, but also a fantastic feel for the music. This album is special, as it was recorded in Israel and all the other players on it are young Israeli jazz musicians who befriended Brown & Gee during their two Israeli tours. The music smokes throughout, a typical modern jazz that leaves plenty of space to improvise but never leaves the melody line too far behind.

Updated: 14/02/2023Posted:

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend

TINA MAY ~ A WING AND A PRAYER 33 RECORDS 134 (Barcode: 5020883336343) ~ UK ~ Jazz Recorded: 2005 - 2006 Released: 2006 This is a wonderful album by British Jazz vocalist Tina MayFind albums by this artist, recorded in a minimalist setting with saxophonist / flautist Stan SultzmannFind albums by this artist and pianist Nikki IlesFind albums by this artist. The album presents eleven tracks, six of which were recorded in a studio and five were recorded live. Some of the tracks are duos with Sultzmann or Iles and others are trios, with both instrumentalists present, all arranged by Iles. Most of the tracks are standards, but two tracks (one by Kenny WheelerFind albums by this artist and another one by Joe HendersonFind albums by this artist) are originally instrumentals, with lyrics written by May. As stated on the album’s liner notes, all the songs are deeply personally emotional to May, which is plainly evident by the way she performs them, and the intimate setting is ideal to reveal the emotional depth. As a result, this particular album, one of quite a few May has recorded during her lifetime, is my favorite recording of hers. It is not only the most immediate experience, but I think it is the Jazziest one, where she is absolutely in the epicenter of the music, amicably and intelligently supported by the two great musicians, who do not take away any of the limelight, but manage to shine some of their own upon her. Tina’s tragic and way premature death of May in 2022 left a big empty space in British vocal Jazz, and the only consolation is her recorded legacy, mostly released on 33 RecordsFind albums on this label, which we can always return to, in hour of need. Overall, this is a beautiful vocal Jazz album, by a highly talented singer, which is full of great music as well as unusually deep emotions and brilliant instrumental work by two of Britain’s best instrumentalists. When times get really blue, this is one of the records I put on…

Updated: 21/04/2025Posted: 21/04/2025

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend

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!

CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend