Record Reviews
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  | ASAF AVIDAN ~ NOW THAT YOU`RE LEAVING (EP)
TELMAVAR 001 (Barcode: 827912048339) ~ ISRAEL ~ Classic Rock
Recorded: 2006 Released: 2006
Following the phenomenal success of Asaf AvidanFind albums by this artist’s debut album “The ReckoningFind albums with this title”, he re-released his first recording made a year earlier, an EP with six songs he wrote (music and lyrics) and performed, which is now enjoying a great success as well, although overlooked at the time of the release. The music is very similar to the material included on the debut album and of the same excellent quality. The recording is a bit raw, but has a charm of freshness and youthful energy about it, which is overall quite nice. Asaf’s great talent as a writer and absolutely unique voice are unparalleled by almost nothing on the current music scene worldwide, and therefore this release is most welcome, enabling us to enjoy more of his extraordinary creations. Asaf should have been born 40 years ago and by now he’d have been a great Rock star, but alas in this cold and musically barren post-modern world he is still able to touch and excite some listeners, which hopefully is a sign that not everything is lost yet. This stuff was a classic even before it was placed on a piece of plastic, which now you can get to share his vision!
| | | CD 1 Recommend To A Friend |
  | DEEP PURPLE ~ NOW WHAT?! (DELUXE EDITION)
EAR MUSIC 826992031828 (Barcode: 826992031828) ~ UK ~ Classic Rock
Recorded: 2012 Released: 2013
This is the 19th studio album by the iconic British Rock group Deep PurpleFind albums by this artist, released over seven years after their previous studio album “Rapture Of The DeepFind albums with this title” from 2005. It is also the third studio album by the Mk VIII lineup of the group: vocalist Ian GillanFind albums by this artist, American guitarist Steve MorseFind albums by this artist, keyboardist Don AireyFind albums by this artist, bassist Roger GloverFind albums by this artist and drummer Ian PaiceFind albums by this artist. It is the 1st album by the group produced by Bob EzrinFind albums by this artist. The original album presents eleven original songs, all co-written by the group members. This Deluxe Editions adds one bonus tracks and a bonus DVD with an interview with the band and three bonus audio tracks.
The album is dedicated to Jon LordFind albums by this artist, the founding member of Deep Purple, who died in 2012, while this music was recorded.
The music is everything one would expect from Deep Purple: a highly dynamic Rock music, which offers melodic themes and classic Rock riffs, which are the group’s trademarks. The current lineup completely consolidated its ranks since 2002 and became a perfect Rock machine, which has but a few contenders despite the advanced age of its members.
The sound returns to the organ drenched heavy sound that was the group’s trademark from its onset, Gillan’s charismatic vocals are still one of the most recognizable Rock symbols and the music still manages to grab the listeners by their hearts, so what else would one want?
Overall, this is another great album by a veteran band, which refuses to rest and still sounds better that any of the wimps that call themselves Rockers these days.
| | Updated: 05/08/2024Posted: 23/01/2022 | CD+DVD 2 Recommend To A Friend |
  | AVIV GEFFEN ~ NOWHERE
HED ARZI 15722 ~ ISRAEL ~ Classic Rock
4th album from 1995. Aviv Geffen (son of Jonathan Geffen, who is a prominent figure in Israeli music as well) is the Israeli `rebel` poet, songwriter and singer. His lyrics are provocative and sharp like a knife and he does not aschew any controversy, slaughtering `holy cows` by the herd. He is a gifted composer, able to write both rocky songs and beautiful lyrical ballads. He became an instant star with the Israeli teenagers, but as the years passed by his message sank deeply in the Israeli society, mainly due to the many political issues he touches upon. The music becomes much more refined over the years. As of 2002 Aviv lives part time in London, where he met Steven Wilson, leading to their common Blackfield project.
| | | CD 1 Recommend To A Friend |
  | JOHN MCLAUGHLIN ~ NOW HERE THIS
ABSTRACT LOGIX 037 (Barcode: 700261359557) ~ UK ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion
Recorded: 2012 Released: 2012
This is the second studio album by iconic British guitarist / composer / bandleader John McLaughlinFind albums by this artist and his 4th DimensionFind albums by this artist quartet, which includes British keyboardists / drummer Gary HusbandFind albums by this artist, Cameroonian bassist Etienne M`BappeFind albums by this artist and Indian drummer and konokol vocalist Ranjit BarotFind albums by this artist. The album presents eight original compositions, all by McLaughlin.
The music is a unique mixture of Jazz-Rock Fusion with World Music elements, with a distinct Indian touch, but also Flamenco touches and other underlying elements. For McLaughlin followers this music combines everything he did in the five decades preceding this recording, including Mahavishnu OrchestraFind albums by this artist, ShaktiFind albums by this artist and his extensive solo work.
McLaughlin’s performances are brilliantly ageless, and his virtuosity seems to be completely unmindful of the years that passed by since he appeared on the scene. He has more energy and open-mindedness than guitarists half his age, which of course is hardly surprising to his many followers.
4th Dimension is a perfect band for McLaughlin, as it encapsulates all the elements he likes to have around when creating music. Husband supports McLaughlin most amicably, contributing some superb keyboard parts, and the rhythm section is like a good natured tornado, driving the music with enormous energy but at the same time being incredible precise and considerate.
Overall, this is a brilliant album from start to finish, which continues the sublime recording legacy by the greatest guitarist that we were all blessed to hear in all time. Thank you John for a lifetime of music!
| | Updated: 26/10/2021Posted: 26/10/2021 | CD 1 Mini-Sleeve Recommend To A Friend |
  | MIRAGE ~ NOW YOU SEE IT…
VOCALION 8431 (Barcode: 765387843120) ~ UK ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion
Recorded: 1976 Released: 2007
The short-lived Jazz-Rock Fusion group MirageFind albums by this artist is an excellent example of the incredible high level of music created in Britain in the 1970s. Co-led by two great instrumentalist and composers: saxophonist George KhanFind albums by this artist and guitarist Brian GoddingFind albums by this artist, they managed to record just one album, which was originally released on the obscure, but visionary Norwegian CompendiumFind albums on this label label (along with some other superb albums), which unfortunately folded shortly after this album was released. The group also included bassist Steve CookFind albums by this artist and drummer Dave SheenFind albums by this artist on permanent basis, but was often expanded to a sextet with the addition of Geoff CastleFind albums by this artist on keyboards and John MitchellFind albums by this artist on percussion. The group played music composed by Khan and Godding, which was a typical British Fusion, somewhat similar to what the many Canterbury groups (Hatfield And The NorthFind albums by this artist, National HealthFind albums by this artist) were doing at the time, with strong melodic lines and lengthy improvisations. Godding was of course one of the best British guitarists, sadly much under-appreciated and respected mostly among his peers. This most welcome reissue expands the original album by adding two long jam-like tracks recorded live, which give an excellent glimpse as to how the group (in its sextet form) sounded on stage. Brilliant stuff, from start to finish and a must to all Fusion-heads.
| | | CD 1 Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend |
  | GRAHAM NASH ~ NOW
BMG 4050538888812 (Barcode: 4050538888812) ~ UK ~ Classic Rock
Recorded: 2022 Released: 2023
This is the seventh solo studio album by iconic British singer / songwriter Graham NashFind albums by this artist, which follows seven years after his previous album “This Path TonightFind albums with this title”. The album was recorded with a group of excellent instrumentalists, which includes keyboardist Todd CaldwellFind albums by this artist, who also co-produced the album and wrote the string arrangements, guitarists Shane FontayneFind albums by this artist and Thad DeBrockFind albums by this artist, and drummer Adam MinkoffFind albums by this artist. A string quartet appears on three tracks and occasional guests appear on a few other tracks. The album presents thirteen tracks, most written or co-written by Nash.
Nash lost absolutely nothing of his ability to write brilliant songs, based on beautiful melodies and touching directly the listener’s heart. The lyrics are direct and personal, without any unnecessary pretentious subtexts. There are just a few songwriters left, who are able to write such songs, and with David CrosbyFind albums by this artist sadly departed and Stephen StillsFind albums by this artist mostly silent, Nash is proudly carrying the message of our generation forward.
In many respects this album is a ticket to a time-travel ride back to the good old days, when songs had a melody and a message, and singers did not use electronics to stay in tune. Despite his age (eighty-one years young) Nash can still carry a tune like his did decades ago and his sense of melody is as acute as it ever was.
Overall, this is a brilliant Classic Rock album, perhaps totally out of synch with today’s pseudo-music, but still full of what was considered once as musical values. Listening to this album causes a tear to appear in the corner of an eye, but who can help it. Every time a gem like this is released the tragedy of contemporary Pop / Rock becomes more evident. Nash never failed us before, and hopefully we will hear from him again, as soon as possible. In the meantime, we can listen to his collected recorded legacy, which remains untouched by passing time. An absolute must!
| | Updated: 28/05/2023Posted: 28/05/2023 | CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend |
  | COLIN TOWNS ~ NOWHERE & HEAVEN
PROVOCATEUR 1013 (Barcode: 5029152801322) ~ UK ~ Jazz
Recorded: 1996 Released: 1996
British keyboardist / composer / arranger / bandleader Colin TownsFind albums by this artist presents his 2nd large scale Jazz project on this album, released on his record label ProvocateurFind albums on this label Records. Five years after his previous release, which was a great surprise and a stunning example of modern big band Jazz music, Towns takes the listener even further into the realm of orchestral Jazz, with an ambitious and complex piece of music, performed by his Mask Orchestra, which includes some of the best Jazz players in Britain, such as Alan SkidmoreFind albums by this artist (saxophone), Henry LowtherFind albums by this artist and Guy BarkerFind albums by this artist (trumpet) and Clark TraceyFind albums by this artist (drums). But the greatest surprise on the album is the presence of Italian singer Maria Pia De VitoFind albums by this artist, who delivers some remarkable vocal parts, cleverly incorporated into the music, often taking the music places previously unexplored. Incorporating vocal parts into large scale orchestral Jazz is not new in the British Jazz tradition and has been previously used during the golden age of the late 1960s / 1970s by composers like Mike WestbrookFind albums by this artist, Michael GarrickFind albums by this artist and others. I suppose Towns is familiar with these examples and I’m happy to see him creating an up-to-date example of this compositional device. The music is truly grand, rich and sophisticated; somewhat similar to Classical Music at times, but more dynamic and of course retaining the element of swing, which clearly keeps the music well inside the overall framework of Jazz. Perfect performances, with many splendid solo parts and the fantastic sound quality all contribute to the success of this album, which deserves a worthy place in the Pantheon of the valued British Jazz tradition. Although requiring attentive listening, patience and open-mindedness, this music is richly rewarding and holds many intellectual as well as emotional qualities, which should keep all Jazz lovers happy. Wholeheartedly recommended!
| | | CD 2 Recommend To A Friend |
  | TRC TRIO ~ NOW NEW
NOT ON LABEL ~ POLAND ~ Jazz
Recorded: 2012 Released: 2013
This is a live recording by the Polish Free Jazz / Improvised Music TRC TrioFind albums by this artist, which comprises of saxophonist Tomasz GadeckiFind albums by this artist, bassist Rafal MazurFind albums by this artist and drummer Connor MurrayFind albums by this artist. Gadecki is also a member of the excellent Olbrzym I KurdupelFind albums by this artist duo, which released a couple of albums earlier. The music is completely improvised and therefore not specifically credited to any individual musician but considered a common spontaneous creation. Technically the music is sub-divided into four tracks on the album, but those remain nameless and unlisted.
This kind of music is a wonderful example of the spur of the moment creation which Improvised Music offers its listeners, for good and for bad. It is all about "now" and if the "now" happens to be able to create musical magic, as it does in this case, all is fine, but of course this in not always the case. There is no formula, which can foretell such result, things just happen. But when talented and completely dedicated musicians, such as these three herein, meet and create music, anything can happen.
There are many wonderful moments of highly inspired performances here, with Gadecki performing some amazing saxophone magic repeatedly, with virtuosity and flair. He is certainly worth following as one of the strongest players emerging on the Polish scene. His companions stand up shoulder to shoulder with his demanding leads, proving worthy of the challenge.
Of course there is the barrier separating these musicians and their audience, which in order to be able to let in this music into their consciousness has to let go of all pre-conceptions, limitations and traditional musical experience and simply flow with the sonic experience these musicians offer. The effort such music requires is definitely worth making, as this music can be deeply moving and wonderfully entertaining intellectually.
The album itself is another document of the incredible Polish Free Jazz / Improvised Music scene, which keeps producing some truly exceptional music in the last decade or so, surely being one of the most prolific and most advanced scenes on which these genres flourish. With new generations of players boldly stepping in and joining the ranks as well as visiting musicians from all over the world participating and collaboration with the locals, the resulting scene is simply marvelously alive and productive.
Improvised Music fans will find this most interesting and although this kind of music caters only to a tiny minority, it compensates emotionally and intellectually those dedicated enough to give it their ears.
| | | CD-R 1 Mini-Sleeve Recommend To A Friend |
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