Record Reviews

ROLAND ABREU / CUBAN LATIN JAZZ ~ ROOTS V 018 (Barcode: 5903111377199) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz-World Fusion Recorded: 2019 Released: 2020 This is the second album by Cuban (resident in Poland) bassist / composer Roland AbreuFind albums by this artist and his Cuban Latin JazzFind albums by this artist quartet, which also includes Ukrainian saxophonist Taras BakovskyiFind albums by this artist, pianist Pawel KukulaFind albums by this artist and drummer / percussionist Dominik JaskeFind albums by this artist. Two additional Cuban percussionists: Nando Del RioFind albums by this artist and Elio Rodriguez LuisFind albums by this artist also take part in the recording. The album presents seven original compositions, all co-credited to the members of the quartet. The music was recorded at the splendid Monochrom Studio and engineered by Ignacy GruszeckiFind albums by this artist, with a truly spectacular sound quality. Cuban Jazz can not be played perfectly by musicians not originating from Cuba, and I am glad that this album presents music, which has obvious Cuban roots, but does not try to be strictly just Cuban Jazz. It offers a very successful amalgam between the Cuban rhythms and the Slavic lyricism represented by the rest of the quartet members, which works out very well, now for the second time in a row. The compositions are all well structured and perfectly coherent; the melodic content is excellent, as are the arrangements spiced by the Cuban elements. Although the music is mostly on the lighter side of the Jazz spectrum, it is wonderfully entertaining and even spiced with a dash of exotic humor, which makes the album a true pleasure to listen to. But Jazz connoisseurs will be also able to enjoy the great saxophone and piano soloing, the wonderfully warm bass parts and the delightful polyrhythmic percussion "balagan". Overall combining the fluent playing, nice tunes, exuberant rhythmic background and great sound quality, this album has a great entertaining value, without compromising the artistic qualities even one notch. This is one danceable piece of unadulterated pleasure, which is guaranteed to move your ass unless you are completely deaf.

Updated: 19/03/2020Posted: 19/03/2020

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BLED ~ ROOTS AND FUTURISTIC SCI-FI SOUNDS ALPAKA 016 (Barcode: 308175527866) ~ POLAND ~ Free Jazz / Improvised Music Recorded: 2021 Released: 2021 This is the debut album by Polish Jazz duo BLEDFind albums by this artist, which comprises of drummer Slawomir KoryznoFind albums by this artist and trumpeter Emil MiszkFind albums by this artist, who both employ also synthesizers and who both played together on several earlier recordings by the AlgorhythmFind albums by this artist quintet and other Polish ensembles. The album presents five original compositions, which remain uncredited on the album’s artwork. The music seems to be mostly improvised, although some preparations surely were made before the recording. Drums / trumpet duets are certainly a rather rare event, although nor entirely unheard off, and improvised music obviously is not limited by any instrumental configuration. This album, and other such recordings, clearly prove that liaisons, like that one, are valid and can be fruitful. Both musicians seem to have a great fun playing together and both are able to display their individual instrumental abilities, as well as the unique rapport between them. The music is diverse and dynamic enough to provide a continuous listening experience to the potential listeners, but the music offers no compromises and might prove to be beyond the attention span of the average listener. Overall, this is an interesting Avant-Garde musical experiment, which combines Ambient, Improvised Music, Free Jazz and even contemporary Classical Music elements, performed by two gifted young Polish Jazz musicians, which proves the versatility and constant searching, which characterizes the scene. This music is very far from the common Jazz denominator, but some listeners might find it fascinating.

Updated: 21/07/2022Posted: 21/07/2022

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JETHRO TULL ~ ROOTS TO BRANCHES (REMASTERED EDITION) CHRYSALIS 371019 (Barcode: 094637101926) ~ UK ~ Progressive Rock Recorded: 1995 Released: 2006 21st album and the last one released on the ChrysalisFind albums on this label label. By the mid-1990’s Jethro TullFind albums by this artist were still going on strong in spite of the almost 30 years long and winding road behind them. Compared to other bands, which were founded in the late 1960’s and still existed 30 years later, they were the most productive, vibrant and consistently excellent music makers on the scene. This album introduces some new elements into the JT musical rainbow – namely World Music influences. Ian AndersonFind albums by this artist was always open to a wide range of musical idioms: jazz, blues, mediaeval and folk, but here he discovers the Far and Middle East as a musical source. Although these influence are quite subtle and kept in the background arrangements, they are easily spotted by a trained ear. Anderson’s writing and playing are as strong as ever and although the critics were far from enthusiastic about the album at the time of its release, in retrospect it is every bit as good as any other JT album. Apparently Anderson & Co. are simply unable to produce anything but superb music. Unfortunately it was to be 4 long years until JT would release their next album (the last in the 20th Century), the excellent J-Tull Dot ComFind albums with this title in 1999. Any JT fan will love this music, no doubt about it!

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OSSIAN ~ ROOTS MILO 101 ~ POLAND ~ Progressive Rock Recorded: 1982 Released: 2005 4th album by the great Polish Prog group OssianFind albums by this artist (a.k.a. OsjanFind albums by this artist), which was one of the first East European groups to embrace World Music influences and incorporate them into their highly improvised music. Founded in 1971 by multi-instrumentalists Jacek OstaszewskiFind albums by this artist (flutes and percussion) and Tomasz HolujFind albums by this artist (tabla and percussion), the band was later expanded to include Milo KurtisFind albums by this artist (trombita and percussion, who is of Greek origin), creating some of the most adventurous and mind-blowing music, which of course at the time was truly pioneering and eons before its time. Later incarnations of the group were further expended to include additional musicians. The group´s music consists of long (usually well over 10 minutes) contemplative and largely improvised pieces, performed solely on acoustic instruments. Deeply emotional and drawing its inspiration from the Far East, Middle East, India and Polish Folklore, this is definitely one of the most wonderfully strange musical experiences one can get exposed to. This album was recorded with a quartet lineup with guitarist Wojciech WaglewskiFind albums by this artist and percussionist Radoslaw NowakowskiFind albums by this artist (who replaced Holuj), and is definitely one of the most consistent and coherent recordings the group ever made, with the entire album dedicated to two extended improvised pieces. A must to all brave-hearted music lovers!

Updated: 01/01/2016Posted:

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ROOTS OF CONSCIOUSNESS ~ ROOTS OF CONSCIOUSNESS SYN-PHONIC 12 ~ USA ~ Progressive Rock Recorded: 1989 - 1993 Released: 1994 This is the only album by American Prog group Roots Of ConsciousnessFind albums by this artist, which comprised of guitarist / vocalist Brian NeuwirthFind albums by this artist, keyboardist Bill SchuesslerFind albums by this artist, bassist Mat MillerFind albums by this artist and drummer Robert StallingsFind albums by this artist. Neuwirth composed all but one of the albums ten tracks and most of the lyrics and was the most dominant musician in the group. Several guest musicians also participate on selected tracks. The album is one of those obscure Prog gems that almost nobody knows about but deserves a much wider recognition for being one of the best American Neo-Prog efforts of the early 1990s. It took the group four years to complete this album, as it often happens with self produced efforts, and it is very well made indeed. The music is deeply rooted in the 1970s Prog tradition, but avoids the trap of being derivative or obviously copying any specific sources. It has many of the GenesisFind albums by this artist theatrics, most obvious in Neuwirth´s vocal delivery, but also the complexity of Gentle GiantFind albums by this artist and other characteristic Prog qualities. However the group remains completely unique and these references to past models are more hints that clearly conveyed statements. The music and the performances are rock solid from start to finish, with great vocals, intelligent lyrics and excellent instrumental passages, in short a great Prog album by any standard. It´s a pity they never carried on and recorded more music, but at least they can be proudly remembered by this one. Grab it if you can! Visitors' Comments Christopher  Brice Wonderful cover - couldn´t find a sample to listen to on the www before committing to the waiting list - does anyone have a link?

Updated: 21/09/2021Posted:

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ROBIN TROWER ~ ROOTS AND BRANCHES MANHATON 2030 (Barcode: 5038787203029) ~ UK ~ Blues-Rock Recorded: 2012 Released: 2013 This is the 20th solo studio album by the legendary British Rock guitarist / bassist / vocalist / songwriter Robin TrowerFind albums by this artist, recorded in a quartet format with bassist Livingstone BrownFind albums by this artist, drummer Chris TaggartFind albums by this artist and keyboardist Luke SmithFind albums by this artist. Bassist Richard WattsFind albums by this artist replaces Brown on two tracks and sings vocals on four tracks and harmonica player Paul JonesFind albums by this artist plays on two tracks. The album presents eleven tracks, most of which are, as the title suggests, Trower’s takes on classic Blues and Rhythm And Blues songs, and a few are original tunes composed by him. Following his departure from the iconic Procol HarumFind albums by this artist, Trower pursues a solo career since 1973, with dozens of albums to his credit. He manages miraculously to stick to his own formula of creative Blues-Rock, which he follows in the sixth decade of his career. His guitar playing is still sharp and clear-cut and his vocals are still as powerful as always, and he does not need to reinvent himself or search for any new avenues, doing what he does best. His many fans love his music, and that’s what matters the most. There are very few Rock personalities of his statue and legacy still standing today and every new album he releases is an unmistakable blast, on which he definitely takes, as usual, no prisoners. Overall, this is an excellent Blues-Rock album, with beautifully melodic tunes, solid vocals and sensational guitar playing, which has but a few contenders. Trower’s many followers need no encouragement of course and some of the self-proclaimed new guitar aces would be wise to take a listen. Brilliant stuff!

Updated: 08/05/2023Posted: 08/05/2023

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