Record Reviews

CHRIS ~ CITY OF LIGHT PROGRESS 050 (Barcode: 7320470160428) ~ NETHERLANDS ~ Progressive Rock Recorded: 2012 Released: 2012 This is the third album by the Dutch Prog multi-instrumentalist / songwriter Christiaan BruinFind albums by this artist a.k.a. ChrisFind albums by this artist, who uses contemporary recording technology to perform as a one-man-band, playing all the instruments and delivering the vocals all by himself. Guitarist Bas ImmerzelFind albums by this artist adds guitar solos on a couple of tracks. The album offers six lengthy tracks, all composed by Chris. Such one-man projects are not unusual on the Prog scene and have been done for many years with various degree of success. It all depends of course on what the musician in question has to offer musically, aesthetically and intellectually. Contemporary electronic instruments, computer software and recording tools enable such one-man projects to be created with relative effortlessness, which of course is a double-edged sword as far as the results are concerned. In today´s reality so much music is being produced and then made available to listeners via the Internet, that it becomes increasingly more difficult to separate the jewels from the heaps of trivial rubbish. The album offers the listeners some catchy melodic phrases but the music somehow never really takes off, staying mostly monotonous and subdued. The six tracks all sound dangerously uniform, turning the entire album into one continuous flow of "more of the same". The drums, which are up-front almost at all times (perhaps due to the fact that Chris is a drummer in another band), dominate the music, and unfortunately sound like computer generated patterns being simply repeated ad nauseam. The vocals are mostly synthesized and full of exaggerated theatrics a la GenesisFind albums by this artist, which was quite enough when it happened originally. The overall sonic quality of the album also has major flaws, with the music sounding muffled and mushy, perhaps purposely so, but definitely unnerving. All in all this album is a classic example of contemporary Neo-Prog, which has very little to offer, mostly recycling the same musical resources that have been already thinned out to death. It also doesn´t offer any performing buzz whatsoever. Probably some diehard Neo-Prog fans will completely disagree with me and love this album to bits. De gustibus non est disputandum?

Updated: 21/09/2021Posted:

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PARKER / TRZASKA / EDWARDS / SANDERS ~ CITY FALL FSR 2016/04 (Barcode: 5905279364097) ~ POLAND ~ Free Jazz / Improvised Music Recorded: 2014 Released: 2016 This is a live recording by a Free Jazz / Improvising Music quartet, which comprises of three British musicians: legendary saxophonist Evan ParkerFind albums by this artist, bassist John EdwardsFind albums by this artist and drummer Mark SandersFind albums by this artist and Polish saxophonist / clarinetist Mikolaj TrzaskaFind albums by this artist. The quartet performs just three lengthy improvisations, the first of which resides on the first CD and the other two reside on the second CD of this 2CD set. All music is credited, as appropriate in such circumstances, to all four members of the quartet. The music was recorded during a concert in London´s Café OTO. Anybody familiar with the British Free Jazz scene will recognize the names of the British musicians as top representative of the genre and the same applies of course of people familiar with the parallel Polish scene, where Trzaska is considered as a unique phenomenon not only as Free Jazz player / leader but also as one of the most important contemporary composers of cinematic music. The music captured on this album testifies as to the immediate rapport between the players, especially so between Evans (born 1944) and Trzaska (born 1966), who keep exchanging licks, phrases and vast amounts of energy between them for the entire duration of the concert, which often sounds superhuman in its intensity. The age difference seems to be completely inconsequential, which of course does not surprise me at all as my pairing of Trzaska with the Israeli clarinetist Harold RubinFind albums by this artist (born 1932) was similarly successful. In fact the saxophone duets, performed without the rhythm section, are some of the most fascinating moments on this album and I´d love to hear more of those. As far as live albums of Free Jazz / Improvised Music are concerned, my opinion usually is that the music was primarily intended for those people who attended the concert and in recorded form the music loses most of its authenticity, energy and spirit, and becomes significantly less relevant. This album is one of the relatively few exceptions, probably due to the class of the musicians involved and the comradeship between them, and as a result hearing the music in recorded form is still very emotionally involving and aesthetically pleasing. Of course this music is strictly for connoisseurs of this specific idiom and people who seek entertainment in their musical escapades should avoid this music at all cost. Those brave hearted few who enjoy the organized madness should have a most wonderful time while this music lasts, especially since meetings like these are usually a one time only events. Strong stuff!

Updated: 03/01/2017Posted: 03/01/2017

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RGG / LYYTINEN / BLASER ~ CITY OF GARDENS VOL. 2 VOICE MUSIC 1011 (Barcode: 5906489287527) ~ POLAND ~ Free Jazz / Improvised Music Recorded: 2021 Released: 2024 This is an album by Polish Jazz trio RGGFind albums by this artist (pianist Lukasz OjdanaFind albums by this artist, bassist Maciej GarbowskiFind albums by this artist and drummer Krzysztof GradziukFind albums by this artist), joined by Finnish saxophonist Pauli LyytinenFind albums by this artist and Swiss trombonist Samuel BlaserFind albums by this artist. The “Vol. 2” refers to the album recorded by a similar quintet, but with Finnish trumpeter Verneri PohjolaFind albums by this artist instead of Lyytinen, released in 2018. The album presents seven tracks, five of which are improvised by the quintet and two are composed by Garbowski. The album offers a stunning sound quality. The music reflects the steady shift of RGG towards Improvised Music, which happened gradually during the twenty plus years of their music making together, and is, in retrospect, one of the most fascinating musical journeys on the Polish Jazz scene. All three members of the trio are brilliant instrumentalists, capable of producing a mesmerizing flow of music, which never loses its coherence and melodic footing, even when it journeys into the Free Improvisation sphere, all of which is wonderfully documented on their impressive recorded legacy, carefully assembled over the last two decades. Another aspect of RGG’s musical journey is the openness towards other musicians from all over the world, which also yielded superb recordings, like the a.m. earlier “City Of GardensFind albums with this title” album or their cooperation with British improvisers, like Trevor WattsFind albums by this artist or Evan ParkerFind albums by this artist. The open-mindedness and empathy required in such circumstances is superbly documented on this album as well, which is a beautiful example of spontaneity and telepathic musical bonding at their best. Overall, this is a deeply moving, elegant and truly inspiring example of Improvised Music at its best, full of elegance and eloquence, coherency and aesthetics, which makes listening to music such a pleasure. An absolute gem!

Updated: 09/12/2024Posted: 09/12/2024

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RGG / POHJOLA / BLASER ~ CITY OF GARDENS FSR 2018/08 (Barcode: 5905279364318) ~ POLAND ~ Free Jazz / Improvised Music Recorded: 2017 Released: 2018 This is a live recording by Polish Jazz trio RGGFind albums by this artist (pianist Lukasz OjdanaFind albums by this artist, bassist Maciej GarbowskiFind albums by this artist and drummer Krzysztof GradziukFind albums by this artist), expanded to a European quintet with the addition of the Finnish trumpeter Verneri PohjolaFind albums by this artist and Swiss trombonist Samuel BlaserFind albums by this artist. The music was recorded during the quintet´s concert at the XII Silesian Jazz Festival in Katowice, with yours truly present in the audience and therefore also, at least spiritually, a part of this recording. The album presents five original compositions, all by Garbowski. Although the Polish Jazz scene always had an abundance of excellent Jazz piano trios, RGG certainly deserve a special mention in every respect. Their quest for musical perfection and constant searching, their openness and uncompromising aesthetics, their ability to survive the change of the pianist and continue safe and sound in a natural progression and above all their personal charm are all truly unique. I have of course followed the trio´s development from day one, collectively and individually, and consider them to be a quintessential paradigm of the young post-Millennium Polish Jazz scene. The trio´s previous live recording, which placed them alongside the veteran British avant-gardist Evan ParkerFind albums by this artist and their recordings with Polish vocalist Anna GadtFind albums by this artist opened another chapter in their approach to music, namely their hunger to develop collaborations with musicians from outside the trio´s closed habitat. This led also to work first with Pohjola and then also Blaser, which we are able to hear on this album. Although credited to Gradziuk, the music is of course mostly improvised and the lengthy, between ten and fifteen minutes long tracks, are an orgy of controlled spontaneity and free fall, which is completely captivating. The quintet goes through all the possible iterations, with musicians playing solo or in duo, trio, quartet and quintet settings, all impulsively forming on the stage. But with all that openness and freedom, which can be heard throughout, there is also a magic coherency and discipline, which sets boundaries and defines the scope and form of the music at any given point. This miraculous ability to play free and at the same time show a clear direction is the most important ingredient, which makes this music what it is. The individual statements are all phenomenal, which is hardly a surprise. Pohjola is definitely stealing a lot of the attention, as his trumpet pyrotechnics are breathtaking, but at the same time his playing is incredibly melodic, lyrical and often purely romantic. Blaser, already a young veteran of the trombone scene, has an incredible technique and no lesser feel, and the sound he is able to produce with his instrument is a ceaseless box of wanders. RGG – oh well they are the locomotive which carries this music along, a stylish carriage full of chic and aesthetic beauty and a red Lamborghini which adds zest and gusto. This is definitely some of the best Jazz music one can listen to these days, and I wish it gets to as many people as possible, as it is unconditionally superb. I am happy to be friends with these guys and proud of their achievements – they are the kind of people that do not let you down – and that is so rare. Thanks for the music!

Updated: 08/06/2018Posted: 08/06/2018

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SAVOY BROWN ~ CITY NIGHT QUATRO VALLEY 0114 (Barcode: 805859068528) ~ UK ~ Blues-Rock Recorded: 2019 Released: 2019 Fifty years (and forty albums) after I heard Kim SimmondsFind albums by this artist and his Savoy BrownFind albums by this artist band for the first time in London sometime in 1969, he is still very much alive and kicking, as this album proves beyond any doubt. In time Savoy Brown became an icon of British Blues-Rock, although the band achieved success primarily in the US and Germany. The preferred modus operandi of Simmonds these days is a Blues power trio, like the one heard here, with Simmonds playing guitar and delivering the vocals, accompanied by bassist Pat DesalvoFind albums by this artist and drummer Garnet GrimmFind albums by this artist. The album presents twelve original songs, all written by Simmonds. Simmonds is perhaps not the greatest, and surely not the most famous guitar player around, but his true forte is the incredible consistency both as a player and a songwriter, which over time amassed an incredible amount of great tunes and hours on end of superb Blues guitar performances. Starting as part of the British Blues Revival and the birth of the Blues-Rock idiom, Savoy Brown was able to hold the candle of the genre for generations, with obvious ups and downs but always genuinely sincere and classy. Although the Blues is an a priori limited musical playground, with clearly defined rules and regulations, human ingenuity proves that in spite of these limitations there is an infinite universe of music which can be created within them. Blues-Rock, now in its sixth decade, continues to daze and confuse all of us on a daily basis and thanks to Artists like Simmonds and his Gibson Les Paul guitar the scorching tones keep penetrating directly into our hearts. Overall this is a superb and true to the source Blues-Rock album, which should satisfy completely all the connoisseurs of the genre and wet the lips of all guitar freaks around the globe. To Kim, all I can say is Godspeed and please don´t you ever change!

Updated: 10/07/2019Posted: 10/07/2019

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ARIK SHAHAR ~ CITY RHYTHM NOT ON LABEL ~ ISRAEL ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion Recorded: 2005 2nd album by Israeli guitarist Arik Shahar. This is a natural follow up to his debut album, with more Fusion / Smooth Jazz tunes played by high class musicians with gusto and panache. Arik gathered around him some of the best Israeli Jazz players and his drive and imagination prove again that Smooth Jazz can be quality music far beyond and above supermarket background muzak. All of the tunes are originals except a great cover of the Beatles `Drive My Car`. Definitely worth investigating!

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MICHAL WROBLEWSKI ~ CITY ALBUM ELLITE 5903111529024 (Barcode: 5903111529024) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 2014 Released: 2014 This is the third album by the young and very gifted Polish Jazz pianist / composer Michal WroblewskiFind albums by this artist, which sees him returning to the piano trio format with bassist Michal JarosFind albums by this artist and drummer Pawel DobrowolskiFind albums by this artist. The album presents eight original compositions, all but one by Wroblewski, with the exception being a piece based on the music by Frederic ChopinFind albums by this artist and arranged by Wroblewski. The music was recorded (same as his debut album) at the now legendary Studio Tokarnia, with Jan SmoczynskiFind albums by this artist doing his usual sound magic with spectacular results. The music, as stated by Wroblewski, was influenced by playing a concert tour in 2013 with American superstar trumpeter Terence BlanchardFind albums by this artist, but the experience influenced also the trio´s approach to music, which became much more focused and intense. As a result this album is remarkably stronger and vital than the two earlier efforts, even though those two were already first class achievements, and places Wroblewski just a notch higher on his way to fame and fortune. His compositions, as usual, combine the right amount of melodic substance with lyrical contents and harmonic beauty, very much like many Jazz standards do. Listening to this album is a true delight from start to finish, with time passing by in a breeze. Of course a piano trio is only as strong as all three musicians involved and Wroblewski is extremely lucky to find two partners who fulfill him completely, match his sensibilities, his virtuosity and his elegance. This piano trio is a classic example of what a piano trio should sound like in the mainstream Jazz milieu. Yes, this music does not make any groundbreaking discoveries as far as Jazz is concerned, but we need to keep the legacy alive and this trio is just perfect in that capacity. It is difficult to predict how Wroblewski´s career will develop from this point on, but he certainly already made his mark both as a pianist and a composer. I am certainly keeping my eye, or rather ear, on his moves, as he managed to impress me for the third time in a row. Jazz fans who love the piano trio format will have a field day with this one. Well done indeed!

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ALAN WYKPISZ PROJECT ~ CITY JUNGLE AFRO VIBE 005 ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 2021 Released: 2022 This is the debut album as a leader by prominent young generation Polish Jazz bassist / composer Alan WykpiszFind albums by this artist, recorded with an excellent team of musicians, which includes guitarist Jakub MizerackiFind albums by this artist, keyboardists Pawel KaczmarczykFind albums by this artist and Dawid LachFind albums by this artist and drummers Maksymilian OlaszewskiFind albums by this artist and Tymoteusz PapiorFind albums by this artist. DJ Wojciech DlugoszFind albums by this artist (a.k.a. Mr. KrimeFind albums by this artist) performs turntablism on the title track. The album presents nine original compositions, all by the leader. The music is absolutely delightful, from start to finish, quite diverse and surprising, fresh and enchanting. The melodic content is lyrical and well put together and the performances by the leader and ensemble members are electrifying. Wykpisz is not shy and offers many brilliant solo parts, both acoustic and electric, and his firm pulsations dominate the music quite noticeably, but the open character of the compositions and the ensemble format allows all the members to solo extensively. The double drums create a dense and complex rhythmic support, which fits the music ideally. The album offers a unique atmosphere, highly electric and sonically charged. Despite the electric guitar, keyboards and bass, the music is distinctly non-Fusion oriented, and offers somewhat nostalgic sense of early electric Jazz. There is a strong dimension of freedom and space, which at some moments is close to Free Jazz, but then the music moves suddenly into a sweet Swing / Funky mode, only to become something completely different soon after. Despite this rapid changes of mood and tempo, the music makes perfect sense at all times, which is truly amazing. The modern, somewhat unusual ambience as far as Jazz recordings are concerned, with a lot of dark bottom layers and sparkling synthesizers, might keep back some of the more conservative listeners, and I hope serious Jazz lovers will be able to overcome prejudice and primal fears. This music is bold and distinctly different, but it is immensely intelligent and enthralling, so please make an effort to embrace it. After all the history of Jazz is full examples, where sublime albums were recognized only decades later. Hopefully this will not be the fate of this great piece of music. Overall, this is an amazing album, one of the most unique Polish Jazz recordings in 2022, and to be honest probably one of the best Jazz albums that landed on my desk worldwide that year. There is absolutely nothing obvious or trivial for the entire duration and the matchless amalgam of all the elements creates a magical piece of music, which left me awestruck. Great to see Wykpisz finally in full blown blossom of his talents after hiding for so long behind his massive instrument. Respect!

Updated: 16/01/2023Posted: 16/01/2023

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