Record Reviews

GAWLAS / WISNIOWSKI / HERZYK ~ ABSTRACT TRIO REQUIEM / OPUS 2021/68 ~ POLAND ~ Avant-Garde Jazz-Classical Fusion Recorded: 2021 Released: 2021 This is the debut album by Polish trio comprising of synthesizer / electronic music sound creator / composer Krzysztof GawlasFind albums by this artist, Jazz flautist / saxophonist / composer Leszek HeFi WisniowskiFind albums by this artist and percussionist Wojciech HerzykFind albums by this artist. The album presents seven tracks, all being improvisations by the trio members and therefore uncredited as far as composing credits are concerned. The music is all about searching and experimentation, which of course means that it has much in common with Avant-Garde Rock and Jazz Improvised Music, being perhaps a tad more restrained and “cultural”, but in general displaying the characteristics of Freedom and spur of the moment music making, common to all such genres. The presence of Wisniowski naturally takes the music closer to the Jazz spectrum, whenever he becomes the focus of the music, whereas during his absence the music drifts more towards outer space, but the entire affair stays well within well-behaved so called “New Music”, which the Classical Academics like to call such experiments for the lack of a better term. The same question as to the validity of such music in a recorded form applies here as much as it does in Jazz Improvised Music – it might be quite a powerful and emotional experience when performed live in front of an audience, but the likelihood of someone listening to this music in a home environment is highly questionable. Nevertheless, artistic freedom and aesthetic expression make the recording of such music perfectly legitimate and praiseworthy. Overall, this is a very interesting and somewhat challenging aural experience, which although directed toward a narrow / limited audience, is definitely worth investigating by those fearless sound explorers, who are not avoiding challenges and exploring uncharted territories. I, for one, had a great time listening to this album!

Updated: 05/03/2022Posted: 05/03/2022

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KASPER TOM / ALEXANDER VON SCHLIPPENBACH / RUDI MAHALL ~ ABSTRACT WINDOW WHYPLAYJAZZ 032 (Barcode: 4250459999325) ~ DENMARK ~ Free Jazz / Improvised Music Recorded: 2016 Released: 2017 This is the debut album by the trio consisting of Heavyweight Champions of the European Improvised Music scene: Danish drummer Kasper Tom ChristiansenFind albums by this artist and German pianist Alexander von SchlippenbachFind albums by this artist and clarinetist Rudi MahallFind albums by this artist. They perform eleven relatively short improvised pieces credited to the three participating musicians. The trio is a wonderful example of the continuity of the European Improvised Music tradition, bringing together musicians from three generations: Kasper Tom (born 1981), von Schlippenbach (born 1938) and Mahall (born 1966). The age and experience differences are of course completely irrelevant as far as the music is concerned. The album also crowns the fast developing career of Kasper Tom, who with his consistently excellent contributions as performer and composer pawed his way from anonymity the international repute in this extremely competitive field in a relatively short period of time. The music also emphasizes the nature of European Improvised Music, against its parallel from across the pond. These relatively short pieces are concentrated expressions of Freedom, which is articulated by the unity of the trio and not by a race of musicians trying to blow each other off the stage. The music is of course everything people familiar with these musicians in particular, and the European Improvised scene in general, might expect: brilliant musicianship, wonderful respect and attention towards each other, minimalism and elegance, all these of the highest caliber. Improvised Music does not get better than this. The individual statements are also very interesting, being completely different from each other. Von Schlippenbach plays long beautiful arpeggios and harmonic chords, which constitute the basic layer upon the music is floating. Mahall carries the role of a story teller, spinning his short, dramatic tales consisting of long series of notes. Kasper Tom plays everything but a steady rhythm, but at the same time he still is the metronome of this music. His tribal approach turns the rhythmic patterns into a multicultural experience. Of course the performances present a series of wonderful solo, duo and trio improvisations, which spontaneously emerge in the process. Overall this is an instant classic, an album which other Improvised Music recordings will be measured against, not in the sense of competition but in the sense of setting an example others should learn from. Absolutely essential to all Improvised Music connoisseurs!

Updated: 03/06/2017Posted: 03/06/2017

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DAVE KULJU ~ ABSTRACT EXPRESSION NOT ON LABEL (Barcode: 801495186527) ~ USA ~ Progressive Rock Recorded: 2005 - 2007 Released: 2007 1st album by US guitarist Dave KuljuFind albums by this artist, who is a member of the Prog ensemble ElectrumFind albums by this artist. Recorded over a period of two years (with some music written even before the actual recording), it presents a portrait of a sensible artist, who shares with us his intellectual and emotional travels in search of his musical identity. Kulju plays almost all the instruments involved in the recording, using a few guest musicians to spice the wonderful musical dish here and there. The album’s title fits the musical contents perfectly – although mostly in the vein of instrumental Prog, it includes many different moods and influences, such as contemporary classical music and Fusion. The music is both intelligent and emotional, flowing smoothly from one theme to the next, merging perfectly the electric and acoustic instruments. The lead guitar is not trying to show off or dazzle, but simply plays the lead parts in perfect harmony with the other instruments. It’s quite evident that Kulju wished to present a total musical portrait of himself as a composer and player, rather than enter a pissing contest with others. The longest track on the album, called “Somnium”, (which lasts for over 15 minutes) is quite brilliant and my favorite tune, but all the music is truly excellent. Somehow the mood of the album reminds me of Scandinavian Prog, perhaps a bit of AnekdotenFind albums by this artist, but that’s just my association. This album will probably (and sadly) be heard by a very limited number of people, but if you’re up to an intellectual challenge please don’t miss it. The beautifully designed packaging will be a bonus. Kudos Dave!

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ANDRZEJ PRZYBIELSKI ~ ABSTRACT NOT TWO 761 ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 2003 Released: 2005 This is the first album recorded by Polish Avant-Garde Jazz trumpeter / composer Andrzej PrzybielskiFind albums by this artist with the fantastic rhythm section of Oles BrothersFind albums by this artist: bassist Marcin OlesFind albums by this artist and drummer Bartlomiej OlesFind albums by this artist, and a unique document of the genius of Przybielski at work. The sessions, completely spontaneous and unplanned, capture on the spot improvisations by the trio, based of sketchy melodies and somewhat chaotic instruction given to the two "youngsters" by the legendary player seconds before the music starts. The relaxed atmosphere of this sessions and apparent good mood of the leader (the tape keeps running when he makes his little jokes) results in some of the best moments of Przybielski´s playing ever, full of energy, Godly inspiration and great talent. Unfortunately with Przybielski´s untimely death in February 2011, all we have lest are his rather scarce recordings, which should be cherished for generations to come. It´s interesting to compare this recording with the posthumously released "De ProfundisFind albums with this title", recorded by the same trio, some seven years apart. Some of the music on both recordings originated in the same themes, but is completely different of course. This music is an absolute treasure in every respect and one can only hope that more people will discover this music, now saved for posterity. Absolute must to all Avant-Garde Jazz connoisseurs!

Updated: 12/04/2019Posted:

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BRAM WEIJTERS – CHAD MCCULLOUGH QUARTET ~ ABSTRACT QUANTITIES WERF 126 (Barcode: 5413905111262) ~ BELGIUM ~ Jazz Recorded: 2014 Released: 2015 This is the third album by the international quartet co-led by Belgian pianist / composer Bram WeijtersFind albums by this artist and US trumpeter / composer Chad McCulloughFind albums by this artist and including bassist Piet VerbistFind albums by this artist and drummer John BishopFind albums by this artist. The album presents eleven original compositions, eight of which were composed by Weijters and three by McCullough. Two of these tunes are piano-trumpet duets. The music is modern Jazz, well within the mainstream boundaries, but presents ambitious compositions and excellent performances, well above the "usual" mainstream outings. Beautifully melancholic tunes, obviously of European origin, dominate the proceedings, allowing McCullough to play some heartbreakingly lyrical solos. The rhythm section supports the soloists sympathetically and with obvious empathy and intelligence. Verbist plays some great bass lines and Bishop stays respectfully in the background, gently steering the quartet´s pulse. During the album´s duration the listener is exposed to different formats, from full quartet, via piano trio passages and intimate duets, which emphasizes the diversity and openness of this music and the quartet as an ensemble. Weijters plays mostly the acoustic piano, but also uses electric keyboards most effectively. Overall the level of the performances is first class and the entire album is an exquisite listening experience from start to end. This album is a typical example of contemporary mainstream Jazz, which can be interesting and even moving, in contrast to most other recordings in that idiom. Avoiding clichés and banality these musicians shoe us hoe it should be done! Hats off Gentlemen!

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