Record Reviews

BOBBY MCFERRIN ~ SPIRITYOUALL SONY 888837183826 (Barcode: 888837183826) ~ USA ~ Gospel Recorded: 2013 Released: 2013 This album by US vocalist / composer extraordinaire Bobby McFerrinFind albums by this artist is a profound back to the roots examination of his musical path so far and its origins. It presents thirteen songs, seven of which are traditional spirituals, five are his original compositions and one is a Bob DylanFind albums by this artist song. All these songs have a common musical ground, going back to the roots of American music and even deeper back to the African sources of this music. McFerrin is accompanied by a splendid group of instrumentalists, which includes keyboardist Gil GoldsteinFind albums by this artist, who also plays the accordion extensively on this album and who is responsible for the superb arrangements, guitarist Larry CampbellFind albums by this artist, bassists Esperanza SpaldingFind albums by this artist and Larry GrenadierFind albums by this artist and drummers Charley DraytonFind albums by this artist and Ali JacksonFind albums by this artist. Spalding also adds her vocals on several tracks and four background vocalists participate on a couple tracks. McFerrin also uses this album to pay a tribute to his father, Robert McFerrin, Sr.Find albums by this artist who was the first African-American to sing a title role at the Metropolitan Opera. Several of the spirituals covered by Bobby on this album were recorded by his father on his 1957 solo album "Deep RiverFind albums with this title", and receive here a renewed treatment. The entire album is full of spirituality, faith and love, expressed in a humble, honest and most sincere way, without any attempt to preach or convert. It reflects accurately and beautifully McFerrin´s personality, who is one of the kindest and friendliest persons I have ever had the pleasure to meet and spend time with. Musically this album is less adventurous than McFerrin´s earlier work, but of course in this case it is all quite intentional. And yet he gets to display an enormous range of his vocal abilities, singing words, scat, vocalese and uttering sounds, all the above with his usual elegance and eloquence. The instrumental accompaniment is also first-rate, with a unique, mostly acoustic and down to earth sound, which suits this music perfectly, being a perfect example of "less is more". Overall this is a perfect example of an album, which is most entertaining and yet at the same time is superbly executed, intelligent and deeply emotional – a rare event indeed. Every music lover on earth should be able to enjoy this music immensely simply opening the heart and ears at the same time. Thank you Bobby, again!

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend

OLES BROTHERS ~ SPIRIT OF NADIR AUDIO CAVE 2017/008 (Barcode: 5905669566353) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz-World Fusion Recorded: 2013 Released: 2017 This is an album by the Polish Jazz duo consisting of twin brothers: bassist Marcin OlesFind albums by this artist and drummer Bartlomiej OlesFind albums by this artist, collectively known as Oles BrothersFind albums by this artist. It presents an eleven part suite co-composed by both brothers, recorded in 2013, which waited to be released for four years. Since the turn of the Millennium Oles Brothers earned the status of an iconic phenomenon on the Polish Jazz scene, releasing over 25 albums in various configurations, mostly in small formats like solo, duo and trio settings, with music encompassing a wide cross-genre amalgam of Jazz, Improvised Music, Jazz-Classical and Jazz-World Music Fusions. Their consistent excellence and purely artistic conviction puts them at the very top of world level musicians active today. "Spirit Of Nadir" is a journey into the cultures of Near and Far East, with strong Middle Eastern influences of Jewish and Arabic roots, but also reaching as far as India and Indonesia, weaving an exquisite tapestry of sounds and rhythms which emphasizes the universality of music as part of the human nature. Seemingly restricted instrumentally and harmonically by the use of just bass and drums, the duo manages to create a universe of music, which sounds complete and coherent, ignoring completely the inherent limitations and presenting music which lacks nothing and is able to deeply move the listener and deliver an aesthetic experience; a wonderful example of quality being clearly more important than quantity. Undoubtedly this is highly spiritual music, which requires from the listener not only his undivided attention, but also openness towards unusual (to most) harmonic and rhythmic structures. Although World Music has penetrated the rather limited and condescending Western aesthetics, it is still very much a niche scene, and therefore every effort, especially such wonderfully executed as this one, which brings music from diverse spheres together is worthy of praise and admiration. It is very satisfactory to hear this wonderful music, which I have been familiar with almost since its conception and had the pleasure to hear it performed live, finally found its way to be released on CD by the upcoming Polish label Audio CaveFind albums on this label, which makes its presence known with increasing strength. Well done as usual and of course warmly recommended to all connoisseurs of great music everywhere on this planet!

Updated: 26/12/2017Posted: 26/12/2017

CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend

SONUS UMBRA ~ SPIRITUAL VERTIGO SOUND OF SHADOW 5313 (Barcode: 829757531328) ~ USA ~ Progressive Rock Recorded: 2003 Released: 2003 2nd album by the great US Prog band Sonus UmbraFind albums by this artist, which includes Mexican members who immigrated to the US. On this album they manage to define even more precisely a unique sound, which although bearing significantly on the classic Prog tradition still manages to be innovative and fresh. Excellent musicianship and great compositions make this a worthwhile musical experience.

CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend

SPIRIT ~ SPIRIT EPIC 485175 ~ USA ~ Classic Rock 1st album from 1968 by this brilliant US Psychedelic band that defined the sound of American Rock in the `70. Mixing elements of Rock, Jazz, Blues and Country with heavily spiced Psychedelic influence, they created some of the most distinctive and ambitious tunes in Rock. They did have a fair success on the charts as well and this album includes their first hit `Fresh-Garbage`. Classic!

CD 1 Oversampling Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend

	SPIRIT OF JOHN MORGAN ~ SPIRIT OF JOHN MORGAN REPERTOIRE 4351 ~ UK ~ Progressive Rock 1st album from 1969 by this UK group. Blues based mixture of psychedelia and rock, very interesting and obscure. Heavy organ and great guitar. A pity this is not more widely known - oneof those hidden treasures.
	CD 1 Recommend To A Friend

	TAYLOR, MARTIN ~ SPIRIT OF DJANGO LINN 030 ~ UK ~ Jazz This 1994 recording presents the sextet Taylor assembled to play his beloved gypsy jazz music dedicated to the memory and art of Django Reinhardt. The sextet performs a mixture of Reinhardt classics and new original compositions in the same style. This beautiful acoustic jazz moves hearts and legs!
	CD 1 Recommend To A Friend