Record Reviews

TANIA GIANNOULI ~ SOLO RATTLE 139 (Barcode: 822601401396) ~ GREECE ~ Jazz-Classical Fusion Recorded: 2023 Released: 2023 This is the fifth album by Greek Jazz pianist / composer Tania GiannouliFind albums by this artist and her first solo piano album. The album presents no less than twenty-four tracks, half of which last just about a minute, all of which are original compositions by Giannouli. Although Giannouli refers to her music as Jazz, which is perfectly fine as far as I am concerned, the immediate connection is somewhat vague. I am not familiar with her earlier recordings, but judging by the lineups and instrumentation, those are probably as much related to what most people consider as Jazz, as is the music on this album, which again some listeners might find only marginally related, but who cares… The music is obviously improvised, so we have already the basic ingredient, but her piano playing utilizes mostly Classical Music structures and her melodic approach also sources from similar turf, albeit there are also ethnic elements, both harmonically and rhythmically, which stimulates things interestingly. So the main point here really is: forget the labeling and just surrender yourself to the music, and there is a high probability you will love it, as much as I did, regardless of whatever one might want to call it. Solo piano albums are a great challenge, that is a sure thing, and it seems Giannouli is very well aware of this, as she manages to stir things repeatedly, in order to avoid the listener falling into a lethargic daydreaming, which sadly most solo piano albums tend to cause sooner or later. Every time you start to melt as a result of some sweet melodic theme, she kicks back with an eerie theme worthy of a thriller movie soundtrack… in short there is never a dull moment here. The more one listens to this music the clearer it becomes that this album is truly exceptional. The originality, inventiveness, coherence, clarity and aesthetic sensibility are simply overwhelming and the result leaves the listener dazed and confused, in the most wonderful way one can imagine. And all this a result of just one piano, ten fingers and a striking women behind it all. Overall, this a stupendous, brilliant piece of music, something which happens quite rarely these days, and regardless of what one decides to label it, it simply plays on the listener’s soul strings, enslaving him completely, so beware as this might become addictive. All hats off, my Lady, you truly deserve it!

Updated: 13/08/2023Posted: 13/08/2023

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