Record Reviews

BKK ~ JAZZ FOR MR IVES, JAZZ FOR MR SEROCKI REQUIEM / OPUS 2023/87 ~ POLAND ~ Jazz-Classical Fusion Recorded: 2021 Released: 2023 This is the debut album by the BBKFind albums by this artist (Bydgoski Kolektyw KompozytorskiFind albums by this artist / Bydgoszcz Composer CollectiveFind albums by this artist) trio, which comprises of drummer Rafal GorzyckiFind albums by this artist, saxophonist Mikolaj SaradFind albums by this artist and electronic sound designer Bartlomiej ChmaraFind albums by this artist. Clarinetist Mateusz SzwankowskiFind albums by this artist appears as a guest. The album presents one lengthy track with a two-part composition, co-composed by the trio members and dedicated, as the title suggests, to the Classical composers: American Charles IvesFind albums by this artist and Polish Kazimierz SerockiFind albums by this artist. The music, although strictly composed, sounds often like Improvised Jazz and of course has closed links to Avant-Garde modern Classical Music, which of course means that it is not intended for an occasional listener, but rather for an advanced connoisseur of Modernism and seasoned Avant-Gardist. There is almost completely no melodic continuity as such or typical harmonic gestures, but rather a series of seemingly unrelated sonic sculptures. Having said that, the music certainly offers a coherent flow, and despite the limited instrumentation, certainly manages to present a highly interesting development, with all the participants displaying highly skilled abilities, albeit the minimalist approach. The decision to dedicate the music to two pivotal representatives of modernism, both still being only partly recognized and appreciated in their full might and glory, may perhaps allude to the career of Gorzycki, who despite the fact that he is one of the most inventive and fertile Polish Jazz (and beyond) musicians, receives relatively little recognition, which is sadly completely inexcusable. His collective discography, which includes over three dozen albums, among them some of Polish Jazz most interesting releases, is a solid body of his instrumental, compositional and leadership qualities. Overall, this is a highly unusual and uncompromising piece of music, which deserves to be heard by open-minded modern music connoisseurs, and is another step in the developing career of Gorzycki and his cohorts, which takes no shortcuts and firmly stand behind their aesthetic standpoint. Great to see the Requiem / OpusFind albums on this label label to support this kind of music!

Updated: 17/09/2023Posted: 17/09/2023

CD 1 Mini-Sleeve Recommend To A Friend

JOANNA DUDA ~ KEEN ALPAKA 008 (Barcode: 193428487826) ~ POLAND ~ Avant-Garde Electronic Recorded: 2018 Released: 2019 This is the second album by Polish keyboardist / composer / electronic music artist Joanna DudaFind albums by this artist, this time recorded solo. It features a collage of sounds created using acoustic piano and prepared piano, electronically generated sounds and human voices. The album presents nine tracks, all played, composed and produced by Duda. Although Duda can play "conventional" music, for example when she plays with Wojtek MazolewskiFind albums by this artist´s ensemble, this album is dedicated to her more experimental / Avant-Garde side, which offers little melody based music and exposes the listener to her intimate inner world of sounds, which resembles imaginary soundtracks of Science Fiction movies or sound vistas by early electronic composers like Charles IvesFind albums by this artist or Edgar VareseFind albums by this artist and later Pierre SchaefferFind albums by this artist or Pierre HenryFind albums by this artist. With just fragmented tones or short phrases, repeated by loops and other electronic devices, these collages are more about stimulating the listener´s cerebral cortex than his heart, and for the Avant-Garde prone brave hearted listeners can be a marvelous experience. Duda should be admired for her uncompromising and unconventional approach to music and her courage to pursue her heart rather than seeking easy solutions and mainstream recognition. This album is an example of her determination to follow the path less travelled, inviting open-minded listeners to share her world with them. Personally I find this music fascinating and engaging, but obviously it is not destined to reach a wide circle of listeners, which is the price Avant-Garde Artists are ready to accept in return for their independence and personal fulfillment. Definitely highly recommended to people with wide horizons!

Updated: 03/01/2020Posted: 03/01/2020

CD 1 Mini-Sleeve Recommend To A Friend

PROJETO B ~ ANDARILHO NOT ON LABEL (Barcode: 7898254975662) ~ BRAZIL ~ Jazz Recorded: 2002 - 2004 Released: 2004 1st album by the Brazilian Jazz ensemble Projeto BFind albums by this artist, an instrumental septet playing some of the most interesting and imaginative music ever recorded. Deeply rooted in both modern Jazz and modern Classical music, the music combines the two perfectly. All the musicians are superb instrumentalists and the tricky arrangements and complex compositions are performed with grace and elegance, as if they required little effort to execute. The band’s guitarist Yvo UrsiniFind albums by this artist and saxophonist Leonardo Muniz CorrêaFind albums by this artist composed all the music (except one track, which is based on a Charles IvesFind albums by this artist composition). The overall effect is absolutely stunning and overwhelmingly captivating, proving that music has still so much to offer when handled by true Artists. A must!

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FRANK ZAPPA ~ WEASELS RIPPED MY FLESH ZAPPA 3843 (Barcode: 824302384329) ~ USA ~ Avant-Garde Jazz-Rock Fusion Recorded: 1967 - 1969 Released: 2012 This is a reissue / remaster of the 10th album by iconic American guitarist / composer / bandleader / visionary Frank ZappaFind albums by this artist, released originally in 1970. The music was recorded at various live and studio locations between 1967 and 1969. The album presents eleven tracks, all (except one) composed by Zappa. The lineup, in addition to Zappa on guitar and vocals, includes members of the expanded version of Mothers Of InventionFind albums by this artist, which includes a brass section: pianist Don PrestonFind albums by this artist, bassist Roy EstradaFind albums by this artist, drummer Jimmy Carl BlackFind albums by this artist, multi-instrumentalist Ian UnderwoodFind albums by this artist, woodwind players Bunk GardnerFind albums by this artist and Jim SherwoodFind albums by this artist, trumpeter Buzz GardnerFind albums by this artist, violinist Don Sugarcane HarrisFind albums by this artist and several others. The music is mostly instrumental and includes many references to Avant-Garde Jazz (Eric DolphyFind albums by this artist) and Classical Music (Claude DebussyFind albums by this artist, Charles IvesFind albums by this artist and Luciano BerioFind albums by this artist) and features Jazzy improvisations similar to Free Jazz, and has a Jazz-Rock Fusion ambience, which was already very prominent on the earlier albums “Hot RatsFind albums with this title” and “Burnt Weeny SandwichFind albums with this title”. Only one track is Zappa’s arrangements of a Pop song, full of his usual zany humor. Overall, although this music is now over fifty years old, it sounds as fresh as it did when first heard and lost absolutely nothing of its power and everlasting beauty. This album remains an absolute Classic in every respect, which stands proudly as an icon of superb music, which still shines brighter than almost anything else recorded since. Side Note Frank Zappa created a vast recorded legacy during his lifetime, which is continuously being expanded using music recorded and stored in his extensive vault. The albums officially released and approved by Zappa are numbered sequentially in the "Official Release" series, from #001 to the last release so far #126. The albums between #001 to #062 were released during Zappa's lifetime and all the others were released posthumously. There are countless unofficial / bootleg releases on the market as well. Zappa's catalogue was remastered for CD release twice: in 1995 for the RykodiscFind albums on this label releases and again in 2012 for the ZappaFind albums on this label Records / UniversalFind albums on this label releases. The Zappa / Universal program includes 60 releases, which cover the entire catalog released during his lifetime (62 releases, except #013 "200 Motels" and the three Box Sets #043, #046 and #049 called "The Old Masters vol.I / II / III"), and 6 posthumous releases (#064, #065, #067, #068, #093 and #094), which were also included.

Updated: 22/09/2022Posted: 04/02/2022

CD 1 Remastered Recommend To A Friend