Record Reviews

LESZEK KULAKOWSKI ~ COPY & INSERT SOLITON 733 (Barcode: 5901571097336) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 2017 Released: 2017 This is a live album by veteran Polish Jazz pianist / composer / bandleader / educator Leszek KulakowskiFind albums by this artist recorded in a classic quintet setting with American (resident in Vienna) saxophonist Andy MiddletonFind albums by this artist, trumpeter Jerzy MalekFind albums by this artist, bassist Piotr KulakowskiFind albums by this artist (Leszek´s son) and drummer Tomasz SowinskiFind albums by this artist. Together they perform six original compositions, all by Leszek Kulakowski. The sound quality of the live recording is excellent. The music is all within the boundaries of contemporary modern mainstream Jazz, with melody based compositions which serve as basis for the quintet to carry the tunes in orderly manner and present individual solos. Kulakowski is a superb composer and his elegant tunes sound as if they originate from a collection of standards, but in fact are his originals. The performances are all spotless of course, as expected from these highly experienced and talented musicians. Middleton, who is also an educator, same as Kulakowski, has a wonderful tone and elegant flow, and his solos are a true delight. Malek is also a superb player and his phrasing is full of emotion and skill. Kulakowski is a very original pianist, who plays remarkably not only when soloing but also while accompanying his colleagues. Piotr Kulakowski is one of the best bassists on the crowded Polish Jazz scene and his pulsations are always right on the money. Sowinski is exactly the right drummer for this quintet, pushing the other players during the up-tempo numbers and gently paving the way during the ballads. In short a mainstream A-Team, which delivers nothing but the best. This album slaughters a few "holy cows", namely: "European musicians can´t swing", "Those who can´t play teach" and other popular misconceptions. Any true Jazz lover listening to this album should be completely satisfied in every respect. Side Note: Since a few years, every December, Leszek Kulakowski, Andy Middleton and me meet in Katowice to serve as jury members of the International Jazz Composition Competition, held at the local Jazz Academy (together with Jerzy JarosikFind albums by this artist, the head of the Jazz Department of the Academy and our host, and fantastic trumpeter / educator Piotr WojtasikFind albums by this artist). Over the years we not only forged a wonderful friendship between ourselves, discussed music and life for endless hours and of course managed to consume many a gallon of beer, vodka and eventually anything that is humanly drinkable. Who says Jazz is not a platform of friendship ;)

Updated: 12/01/2018Posted: 12/01/2018

CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend

ANDY MIDDLETON ~ BETWEEN WORLDS PROVA 14 (Barcode: 9008798037513) ~ USA ~ Jazz Recorded: 2008 Released: 2010 This is an album by American (resident in Austria) saxophonist / composer Andy MiddletonFind albums by this artist, recorded in a quartet setting with German pianist Tino DeradoFind albums by this artist, American (resident in Germany) bassist Paul ImmFind albums by this artist and American drummer Alan JonesFind albums by this artist. The album presents ten tracks, all of which are original compositions by the leader. The album’s title refers to Middleton’s move to Vienna and the period of transition between countries, people, cultures, etc. that all emigrants, and Artists in particular, go through in their lives, when making a leap, although as far as I know this was a move “in the right direction” for him, with Vienna becoming his new happy habitat. We are Friends since some years, and he always felt way more a European than an American to me, also on the musical plateau. The music is beautifully melodic, and the classic quartet setting is an ideal environment to express the lyricism of the compositions and allow the leader to improvise extensively, which he does with passion. All the members of the quartet are seasoned musicians, which is immediately apparent, and the music offers a marvelous flow, despite some complex time signatures and non-trivial harmonics. This is modern Jazz at its best and to me it sound way more European than what I can hear from across the pond. Overall, this is a wonderful album, in a classic Jazz quartet setting with excellent compositions and superb musicianship, so what else can one ask for? Well, perhaps it’s high time for some new recordings from you, my Friend!

Updated: 03/02/2025Posted: 03/02/2025

CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend

ANDY MIDDLETON ~ NOMAD`S NOTEBOOK INTUITION 3264 (Barcode: 750447326422) ~ USA ~ Jazz Recorded: 1998 Released: 1999 This is the third album as a leader by American (resident in Vienna) saxophonist / composer Andy MiddletonFind albums by this artist recorded with a superb team of musicians including legendary American guitarist / pianist / composer Ralph TownerFind albums by this artist, no less legendary British bassist Dave HollandFind albums by this artist and American (resident in US and Germany) drummer Alan JonesFind albums by this artist. Three guest musicians play on selected tracks. The album presents nine tracks, five of which are original compositions by Middleton, one is his arrangement of two traditional melodies, and three are original compositions by Towner. The music is modern Jazz with some World Music influences, stunningly performed by these world-class musicians. The superb compositions by Middleton and Towner, full of deeply melodic and highly aesthetic contents, allow individual members to solo extensively and produce a harmonious ensemble sound all around. The Word Music influences create as ambience of mystique and the album offers a truly wonderful musical journey. For Towner and Holland followers, this album, probably unknown to most, is certainly worth seeking out, as it presents them both at their absolute best. Of course Middleton also plays wonderfully here and the album is still absolutely fresh, even though it was recorded over two decades ago. On a personal note; I met Andy in person a few years ago and we have had opportunity to meet regularly since during an annual event, which in time developed into a friendship. It took me a while to get hold of this album, which is not an easy task, but apparently not an impossible one – so get hold of a copy as long as it is possible!

Updated: 14/06/2021Posted: 14/06/2021

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend

ANDY MIDDLETON ~ REINVENTING THE WORLD INTUITION 33102 (Barcode: 750447331020) ~ USA ~ Jazz Recorded: 2001 Released: 2003 This is the fourth album as a leader by American (resident in Vienna) saxophonist / composer Andy MiddletonFind albums by this artist recorded with a superb team of musicians including Canadian saxophonist Sheila CooperFind albums by this artist, British (of Canadian origin) trumpet Maestro Kenny WheelerFind albums by this artist, German trombonist Nils WogramFind albums by this artist, Canadian clarinetist Darcy HepnerFind albums by this artist, American pianist Henry HeyFind albums by this artist and bassist John HebertFind albums by this artist and Canadian drummer Owen HowardFind albums by this artist. The album presents nine original compositions, all composed by Middleton and a short bass intro to one of the tunes composed by Hebert. The music is all modern mainstream Jazz, based on the superb compositions by Middleton, which serve as ideal vehicles for the excellent performances by the instrumentalists. The compositions are interesting and coherent, and are all splendidly arranged for the large ensemble, which allows individual members to solo extensively and produce a harmonious ensemble sound all around. For Wheeler´s followers, this album offers plenty hair-raising examples of his genius and is therefore a highly recommended addition to every serious British Jazz connoisseur´s collection. On a personal note; I met Andy in person a few years ago and we have had opportunity to meet regularly since during an annual event, which in time developed into a friendship. It took me a while to get hold of this album, which is not an easy task, but apparently not an impossible one – so get hold of a copy as long as it is possible!

Updated: 03/02/2025Posted: 27/09/2020

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend