Record Reviews

JAROMIR HONZAK ~ TWENTIES ANIMAL MUSIC 111 (Barcode: 8594211850131) ~ CZECH REPUBLIC ~ Jazz Recorded: 2022 Released: 2022 This is the eleventh album as a leader by Czech Jazz bassist / composer / bandleader Jaromir HonzakFind albums by this artist, recorded with his stable quintet, which includes also saxophonist Lubos SoukupFind albums by this artist, guitarist David DoruzkaFind albums by this artist, keyboardist Vit KristanFind albums by this artist and drummer Martin NovakFind albums by this artist. The album presents eight original compositions, all by Honzak. The music was recorded at the fabulous SONO Records studio, engineered by Adam KarlikFind albums by this artist and mixed by Milan CimfeFind albums by this artist, with the usual spectacular sound quality. I waited through the entire Covid period for this album with great anticipation, as Honzak’s music has a magic effect on me with its intrinsic tranquility and almost stoic unobtrusive peacefulness, which all of us desperately lacked when the world was going mad. Well, the world is still very much insane, but at least now the music is here to console. Honzak is a great songweaver and his melodies go always straight to one’s heart. Although the music is brilliantly performed by the quintet members, it just wouldn’t be enough to achieve its full effect without those melancholic themes underlying everything, leading the listeners subconsciously on the emotional plane. Even when the music is highly improvised and less melodic per se, it still is able to bond the listener to the flow, almost involuntarily. This album is perhaps the most Ambient / Electronic in its character, more than all Honzak’s earlier recordings, possibly an echo of his innermost fears and insecurities, that we all share. The musicians playing here are amongst the finest European instrumentalist out there. Doruzka (or the “young” Doruzka, as I call him) is absolutely phenomenal, growing and developing with every new album he plays on, being most probably one of the finest guitar players today. His role on this album is central and his playing sublime, which makes me very happy as he worked extremely hard to get where he is now. Soukup, Kristian and Novak create layers upon layers of sound, which fill the entire sonic space with dense, but not obtrusive contents, and concentrate less on soloing, which of course does not diminish their contribution. The leader’s bass playing is as expressive, imaginative and virtuosic as always. It is extremely difficult to comprehend how Honzak manages to consistently create such exquisite albums, one after another, but it is simply an undeniable reality. Overall, this is another masterpiece by the Czech Giant, who unwaveringly amazes with his quiet, humble and seemingly simple music, which is able to move proverbial mountains. This music penetrates deeper with every listening session, enabling the attentive listener to discover new hidden treasures time after time. I can do nothing but to raise the proverbial hat in deep respect for these eloquent, wonderful musicians and their fearless leader. Thank you for the music, my Friends!

Updated: 19/02/2023Posted: 19/02/2023

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