Record Reviews

EERO KOIVISTOINEN ~ ALTERED PICTURES SVART 529 (Barcode: 6430077094710) ~ FINLAND ~ Jazz This is a 3CD reissue of the two albums by iconic Finnish saxophonist / composer / bandleader Eero KoivistoinenFind albums by this artist recorded originally in the US in 1983 and 1991. CD1 presents the album “Picture In Three ColorsFind albums with this title” recorded by a sextet, which includes Koivistoinen with American musicians: trumpeter Tom HarrellFind albums by this artist, pianist Jim McNeelyFind albums by this artist, guitarist John ScofieldFind albums by this artist, bassist Ron McClureFind albums by this artist and drummer Jack DeJohnetteFind albums by this artist. The album presents six original compositions, all by the leader. The album was originally released on Koivistoinen’s new (at the time) self-owned record label ProFind albums on this label Records. CD2 presents the album “Altered ThingsFind albums with this title” recorded by a septet, which includes Koivistoinen with American musicians: trumpeter Randy BreckerFind albums by this artist, trombonist Conrad HerwigFind albums by this artist, pianist David KikoskiFind albums by this artist, Scofield, McClure and DeJohnette. Norwegian keyboardist Bugge WesseltoftFind albums by this artist added synthesizer parts on three tracks during post production and mix, which was done at the Rainbow Studio in Oslo by Jan Erik KongshaugFind albums by this artist. The album presents ten original tracks, eight by the leader and one each by Finnish pianist / composer Seppo KantonenFind albums by this artist and McClure. The album was originally released on CD only on the Dutch TimelessFind albums on this label Records label, owned by Wim WigtFind albums by this artist, who produced the album. CD3 presents eight bonus tracks, five from the first album and three from the second, which include both outtakes and alternate takes, all by the leader except one composition by McClure. The music is all within the modern mainstream Jazz tradition, showcasing Koivistoinen’s brilliant composing / arranging skills and superb performances by some of the best American Jazz musicians active at the time. Koivistoinen’s ties with American Jazz go back in time to the years spent at the Berklee College of Music in Boston, where he absorbed the knowledge he would brilliantly utilize during his future career. He always showed a deep respect towards the American Jazz tradition, but at the same time presented a highly individual voice, which went beyond the boundaries of that tradition and incorporated European musical values and his native Finnish influences, turning him into one of the most versatile and prominent European Jazz personalities, as the music included here brilliantly exemplifies. It is of course great to see these two important albums expanded and made available again, thanks to the exemplary work done by SvartFind albums on this label Records, which treats the Finnish musical treasures with the respect they deserve, preserving the Cultural values, which are perhaps more important today than ever, in these dark days.

Updated: 22/02/2022Posted: 20/02/2022

CD 3 Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend

JERRY DE VILLIERS, JR. ~ THE TURNING POINT ARCHIVES TIMELESS MOMENTUM 20141 (Barcode: 094393373414) ~ CANADA ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion Recorded: 1994 - 1995 Released: 2014 This is an archive album documenting the music recorded by the Canadian Fusion group Turning Point, led by guitarist / keyboardist / composer Jerry De Villiers, Jr.Find albums by this artist, which also included as a core members bassist Mathieu CormierFind albums by this artist and drummer Magella CormierFind albums by this artist. The album presents seven studio tracks recorded in 1995 and another seven live tracks (three of which appear also in the studio version) recorded a year earlier, all of which were composed by De Villiers. Two of the studio tracks feature a brass section and the live tracks feature keyboardist Gerry EtkinsFind albums by this artist. The music is a typical guitar fronted Fusion setting, with nice melodic themes performed elegantly and with a lot of sensitivity. The rhythm section does a splendid job, moving the music steadily forward but staying unobtrusively in the background, leaving the center stage to the guitar pyrotechnics. Even on the two tracks that feature the brass arrangements the basic sound of the group remains almost untouched and similar to the rest of the tracks, perhaps since the brass is way back in the mix. De Villiers is obviously an excellent guitarist, versatile and elegant, who plays forcefully yet delicately making a point and not dragging his solos forever. His playing is fluid and clearly virtuosic, but not ostentatious or aggressive. As a composer he shows an ability to weave romantic lyrical themes, which are intelligent and attractive. But his up-tempo themes are also great, full of groove and catchy riffs, which make your body swing. This music is definitely too good to be left forsaken and the decision to release this album is fully justified, under the "better late than never" slogan. This is a memorable piece of Canadian music in general and Fusion in particular, that should be out there for posterity. For Fusion fans the world over, this is definitely worth investigating!

CD 1 Mini-Sleeve Recommend To A Friend

ANTOINE FAFARD ~ SPHERE TIMELESS MOMENTUM 20161 (Barcode: 600736547413) ~ UK ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion Recorded: 2016 Released: 2016 This is the fourth album by Canadian (resident in UK) bassist / composer Antoine FafardFind albums by this artist, recorded in a trio format with Canadian guitarist Jerry De Villiers, Jr.Find albums by this artist and British keyboardist / drummer extraordinaire Gary HusbandFind albums by this artist. The album presents nine original compositions, six of which were composed by Fafard and three were co-composed by him and De Villiers. Jazz-Rock Fusion has been the most disappointing and stagnant music genre since the turn of the Millennium, to the dismay of the hordes of the genre´s true fans and die-hard blind followers. Therefore this album is a breath of fresh air, clearly pointing out that Fusion is not dead yet and creativity is still possible within its realms. This album combines the two vital ingredients every Fusion album must have in order to be successful: great tunes and virtuosic performances. Both are present here in abundance. Fafard´s compositions are all beautifully melodic and rhythmically interesting, and most importantly diverse enough to create a cohesive flow but also to avoid sounding like one long stream of tunes almost identical to each other, which sadly happens all too often on Fusion albums. Of course the playing is also crucial and although there are only three musicians here, they often sound like an entire orchestra. Fafard plays wonderfully melodic and yet funky bass, which provides the basic layer on which De Villiers plays his solos, building up climax after climax with his virtuosic strings of notes. But it is Husband who really glues the entire musical fabric together both with his incredible keyboards vistas, which create a symphonic effect, and of course drives the whole vehicle with his powerful yet highly sensitive drumming. In fact this is one of the most impressive recordings by Husband which I have heard lately and his contributions here are school book examples what Fusion is all about. This album proudly follows in the steps of its predecessor, taking Fafard´s work even further towards the recognition he truly deserves as composer and instrumentalist. It is a soaring, exhilarating musical experience from start to finish and definitely deserves the rank of one of the best Fusion albums in a very long time. It is also great to hear Husband in such great form again! Thank you my friend for your playing on this album, which presents your many talents at their utmost, from the delightful delicacy on acoustic piano to your Titanic strength on the drum kit. For all Fusion fans, this album is the redemption and the escape from boredom you have all been waiting for!

Updated: 21/09/2016Posted: 21/09/2016

CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend