Record Reviews

LAURA CUBI VILLENA & ADAM WENDT ACOUSTIC SET ~ POR LA NOCHE SOLITON 757 (Barcode: 5901571097572) ~ SPAIN ~ Jazz-World Fusion Recorded: 2017 Released: 2017 This is an album by Spanish vocalist / lyricist Laura Cubi VillenaFind albums by this artist, recorded with the Polish ensemble led by saxophonist Adam WendtFind albums by this artist, which also includes accordionist Cezary PaciorekFind albums by this artist (Pawel ZaganczykFind albums by this artist also plays accordion on one track), bassist Jaroslaw StokowskiFind albums by this artist and the Amber String QuartetFind albums by this artist. The album presents twelve original tracks all composed by Wendt with lyrics by Villena. Villena and Wendt collaborated already on the last album by Adam Wendt Acoustic SetFind albums by this artist ("Acoustic TravelFind albums with this title") which apparently worked well for both of them, leading to this full album recorded together. The music is only marginally Jazz oriented and offers a dominant Spanish / Latin flavor, using elements of Tango and other World Music motifs. The music is beautifully arranged and the instrumental performances are all excellent, as expected from these veteran pros. The accordion parts are especially beautiful, as are the heartfelt saxophone solos. Villena has a deep and sensuous voice, with a rasping coloring, and her delivery is ideal for the melodic contents and sounds authentic and striking. Overall this is a fine Jazz-World Fusion / Smooth Jazz offering, which does not compromise any musical qualities and offers first class entertaining. For lovers of Latin music and the Tango, this is quite a feast. This music, with the help of a good bottle of wine, is able to teleport the listener back in time to the streets of Buenos Aires, where the Tango used to be a way of life.

Updated: 16/06/2018Posted: 16/06/2018

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ADAM WENDT ACOUSTIC SET ~ ACOUSTIC TRAVEL SOLITON 367 (Barcode: 5901571093673) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz-World Fusion Recorded: 2013 Released: 2014 This is the sixth album as a leader by veteran Polish Jazz saxophonist / composer Adam WendtFind albums by this artist, recorded in an acoustic setting with his trio which features accordionist Pawel ZaganczykFind albums by this artist and bassist Jaroslaw StokowskiFind albums by this artist. Three guest musicians are heard on a few tracks: vocalist Laura Cubi VillenaFind albums by this artist, saxophonist Tomasz WendtFind albums by this artist and euphonium player Grzegorz NagorskiFind albums by this artist. The album presents twelve tracks, ten of which are originals by Wendt (two of which are repeated in vocal and instrumental versions) and two come from the Jazz-World repertoire, composed one each by Richard GallianoFind albums by this artist and Astor PiazzollaFind albums by this artist. Villena wrote the lyrics for the three songs she performs on the album. The music is a Jazz-World Fusion / Smooth Jazz effort, presenting a set of nice melodic compositions by the leader, all of which have a South American feel about them, mostly associated with the Tango. Wendt has a beautiful saxophone tone but his improvisations are limited within the melodic "safe" zone. It´s great to hear the accordion, which is such beautiful and yet so neglected instrument in the Jazz idiom. The bass plays clean and precise backing notes and keeps the trio well together. Overall this is a pleasant album, which offers no innovation or exploration whatsoever, staying well within the mainstream formula at all times but on the other hand it is very well executed and is very accessible for listeners who are well outside of the strict Jazz milieu.

Updated: 14/03/2016Posted: 14/03/2016

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