Record Reviews

ARIK BEN KALIFA / MOGADOR ~ VOICES OF ELI NOT ON LABEL ~ ISRAEL ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion Recorded: 2006 Released: 2007 Israeli bassist / composer Arik Ben KalifaFind albums by this artist spent six years in the US studying upright bass with William BettesFind albums by this artist and electric bass with Stanley ClarkeFind albums by this artist while playing with local bands. Upon his return to Israel in 2004 Arik formed the MagadorFind albums by this artist quintet with his musical partner, guitarist Guy RamonFind albums by this artist and with three young and very talented musicians: Amiram GranotFind albums by this artist (saxophones & flute), Tomer MezamerFind albums by this artist (keyboards) and Stas ZilbermanFind albums by this artist (drums). The band recorded a demo album in 2004 and later this, their debut album, which to me is a major surprise, considering the fact that it is one of the best Fusion albums I’ve heard in a long time. The music, composed mostly by Arik (with a couple of tunes co-composed with Guy) is superbly melodic, incorporating the best Fusion traditions with subtle Middle-Eastern motifs, which is not surprising considering Arik’s cultural legacy - his Moroccan-born father was a traditional oud player. Each of the tunes on the album provides a great melodic basis for the improvisations by the band members and the album offers plenty of excellent solos. Driven by Arik’s pulsating bass lines, the music is full of joy and charm, a real listening pleasure. The sophisticated melodies and the brilliant performances turn this album into something that deserves to be heard and admired, as it is as good, if not better, as any other Fusion album recorded by world’s top players. Hearing stuff like this makes me proud to be an Israeli.

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RIVERSIDE ~ VOICES IN MY HEAD (EP) INSIDEOUT 251 (Barcode: 5052205017722) ~ POLAND ~ Progressive Rock Recorded: 2005 Released: 2010 Following the release of their sensational debut album "Out Of MyselfFind albums with this title" the Polish Prog band RiversideFind albums by this artist started the recording process of their follow up and no less brilliant album called "Second Life SyndromeFind albums with this title". However, after just a couple of months they had enough material to release this interim EP, saving the rest of the material for the actual second album. The four songs included here present the more contemplative / lyrical side of the band, characterized by slower tempo and slightly dark atmosphere. Lead singer / bassist Mariusz DudaFind albums by this artist sounds just perfect and the instrumental support from guitarist Piotr GrudzinskiFind albums by this artist, keyboardist Michal LapajFind albums by this artist and drummer Piotr KozieradzkiFind albums by this artist are imply perfect. The EP was expanded with some live material recorded a few months earlier, which is also superb. In addition this extended version of the EP includes also multimedia material accessible by your PC. It´s no wonder that Riverside is considered by many as the best Prof group of the first decade of the 21st Century – anybody listening to this music will simply have to agree.

Updated: 16/05/2023Posted:

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PIOTR WOJTASIK ~ VOICES INDYGO 003 (Barcode: 5907222872024) ~ POLAND ~ Avant-Garde Jazz-Classical Fusion Recorded: 2020 Released: 2022 This is the third album by Polish Jazz trumpeter / composer / bandleader / educator Piotr WojtasikFind albums by this artist, released on his IndygoFind albums on this label Records label. The album was recorded with the Choir of the White Stork Synagogue in Wroclaw, conducted by Stanislaw RybarczykFind albums by this artist, vocalist Magdalena ZawartkoFind albums by this artist, harpist Julia ZiembinskaFind albums by this artist and the members of Wojtasik’s quintet: saxophonist Marcin KaletkaFind albums by this artist, pianist Michal TokajFind albums by this artist, bassist Michal BaranskiFind albums by this artist and drummer Kazimierz JonkiszFind albums by this artist. The album presents six original compositions by Wojtasik, one co-composed with Sylwester OstrowskiFind albums by this artist. The music was superbly recorded at the RecPublica Studios and offers a sublime quality, balance and clarity of sound. The music reflects the deep sorrow and personal anguish of Wojtasik, which resulted from the tragic circumstances surrounding his life at the time. As such it is quite different from the “usual” mainstream Jazz, spiced with Gospel, that dominated his earlier recordings, and this time is absolutely drenched in melancholy and painful lyricism, showing a new facet of his musical identity. The use of the Choir is absolutely perfect for the music and the amalgamation of its sound into the fabric of the compositions is nothing short of perfection. The Jazzy aspects, as reflected by the soloing of the quintet members follow suit smoothly, with sympathetic echoing of the somber atmosphere. Wojtasik, Kaletka and Tokaj are highly experienced players and perform as expected, as is the brilliant rhythm section, which keeps everything in a clear framework. The biggest surprise of the album are actually the vocal contributions, both those by the Choir but even more so by Zawartko, who is simply sensationally brilliant. Since her arrival on the scene a few years ago, she never stops to amaze and her other recordings are all worth checking out. Overall, this is a beautiful album, full of melancholy and glumness, but nevertheless offering a moving aesthetic experience, beautiful melodies and heartfelt performances by all the participants. Hopefully making this album was, at least partly, a process of healing and time will do the rest to make things better. Wojtasik has never made a bad album in his life and this is a proof that he does not mean to lower his standards, come what may. My heart is with you my Friend!

Updated: 04/06/2022Posted: 04/06/2022

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