Record Reviews

PIERRE FAVRE ~ WINDOW STEPS ECM 1584 (Barcode: 731452934826) ~ SWITZERLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 1995 Released: 1996 This is a wonderful album by Swiss Jazz drummer / composer Pierre FavreFind albums by this artist recorded with an international team of Jazz stars: British (of Canadian origin) trumpeter Kenny WheelerFind albums by this artist, Italian saxophonist Roberto OttavianoFind albums by this artist, American cellist David DarlingFind albums by this artist and bassist Steve SwallowFind albums by this artist. The album presents seven original compositions: four by Favre, one by Darling and two co-composed by members of the band. The music was superbly recorded at the legendary Rainbow Studio in Oslo and engineered by Jan Erik KongshaugFind albums by this artist. The music is beautifully melodic, contemplative and strangely Nordic in character, although no Scandinavian players are present. It borders on contemporary Chamber Music and includes some New Age accents, but is first and foremost elegantly European and completely artistically uncompromising. Both Darling and Swallow, who are American musicians, have played with European musicians throughout their extensive careers, and this influence can be felt here clearly. The instrumental performances are all stellar, as expected, and although most of the music in minimalist and subdued, there is enough space for formidable soloing, especially by Wheeler, who plays some outstanding notes on this album. Many Wheeler followers are not aware of his playing on this album and this is why I decided to add this review now, although the music was recorded two and a half decades earlier. But of course the rest of this splendid team also contributes generously and the album offers a continuous graceful musical joy ride, which used to characterize most of ECMFind albums on this label releases in the early days of the label´s activity. This album is wholeheartedly recommended to all European Jazz connoisseurs and absolute must to all lovers of Kenny Wheeler´s artistry.

Updated: 27/08/2020Posted: 27/08/2020

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EMIL VIKLICKY ~ WINDOW & DOOR SUPRAPHON 6064 (Barcode: 099925606428) ~ CZECH REPUBLIC ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion Recorded: 1979 Released: 2012 This long overdue reissue finally brings back to life the sessions recorded by the Czech pianist / composer Emil ViklickyFind albums by this artist with three American musicians: guitarist Bill FrisellFind albums by this artist, bassist Kermit DriscollFind albums by this artist and drummer Vinton JohnsonFind albums by this artist. Czech violinist Jan BeranekFind albums by this artist guests on one track. Viklicky got to know these musicians during his stint at the Berklee Collage of music in Boston and invited them over for the June 1979 session, which was quite an extraordinary event on the Czechoslovak scene during the Socialist times. Of the fourteen tracks recorded during these sessions, eight were released as the LP "WindowFind albums with this title" a year later, five as the A-side of the LP "DoorFind albums with this title" in 1985 and the last remained unreleased until 1997. Twelve of the tracks were composed by Viklicky and one each by Driscoll and Frisell. The music is a Jazz-Rock-Funk Fusion voyage, with Viklicky playing electric keyboards. The rapport between these musicians is truly extraordinary and the resulting music still keeps the listener twitching involuntarily in his shoes. Viklicky´s compositions are brilliant as always, and the Funky rhythms don´t conceal his unusual melodic approach. Frisell fans will find this early recording also very interesting, as he was still in the stage of developing his unique playing technique. This music remains as relevant, as it was at the time of the recording and in retrospect it was remarkably advanced and quite ahead of its time. Of the countless Fusion recordings made in the 1970s and since, this music is one of the few examples of unique identity, which did not blend into the background. It should be quite a revelation for a new generation of listeners exposed to it for the first time, over three decades after it was recorded, as well as those Fusion lovers who think they have already heard it all. I enjoy it now as much as I did the first time around, hoping more people will discover it themselves. A must for every Fusion connoisseur!

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