Record Reviews

DAVE HOLLAND ~ AZIZA DARE2 009 (Barcode: 634457738324) ~ UK ~ Jazz-World Fusion Recorded: 2015 Released: 2016 This is an album by British bassist / composer / bandleader Dave HollandFind albums by this artist, recorded in a quartet setting with American musicians: saxophonist Chris PotterFind albums by this artist, guitarist Lionel LouekeFind albums by this artist and drummer Eric HarlandFind albums by this artist. The album presents eight tracks, two composed by each member of the quartet, which emphasizes the fact that Holland sees this quartet as an equal partnership between himself and the rest of the quartet members. The album was released on the Dare2Find albums on this label label, owned by Holland. The music is strongly influenced by a variety of World Music influences, both melodically and rhythmically, including African, Latin and others. It is therefore quite unexpected and offers a fresh and unfamiliar facet of three members of the quartet, except for Loueke of course, whose African roots were always strongly present in his music. As such, the album is truly a delightful surprise, and proves again that Holland is definitely one of the most versatile and open-minded musical geniuses, whose extensive recording legacy covers some of the most important moments of modern Jazz in all of its exposures. Overall, this is a delightful and quite unusual album, which offers modern Jazz-World Fusion treated in many different facets and dimensions, perfectly performed by these stellar musicians and surprisingly different from most other recordings by Holland. Wholeheartedly recommended!

Updated: 23/06/2025Posted: 23/06/2025

CD 1 Mini-Sleeve Recommend To A Friend

DAVE HOLLAND BIG BAND ~ OVERTIME DARE2 602498271421 (Barcode: 602498271421) ~ UK ~ Big Band Jazz Recorded: 2005 Released: 2005 This is the 2nd album by British bassist / composer / bandleader Dave HollandFind albums by this artist and his Big Band, comprising of American musicians, which include saxophonist Chris PotterFind albums by this artist and baritone saxophonist Gary SmulyanFind albums by this artist, trombonist Robin EubanksFind albums by this artist, (Russian born) trumpeter Alex SipiaginFind albums by this artist, vibraphonist Steve NelsonFind albums by this artist, drummer Billy KilsonFind albums by this artist and others, a total of thirteen musicians. The album presents seven tracks, the first four of which are a suite commissioned by the Monterey Jazz festival. The suite and two additional tracks were composed by Holland and one track was composed by Eubanks. The music is absolutely brilliant in every respect and offers a brilliant example of modern Big Band attitude, which although comprising of mostly American musicians, utilizes the typical European Big Band approach, based on strong cooperative work by the Big Band members, which creates a unified specific band sound and concept, rather than a background music featuring soloing. Holland’s bass lines steer the music dominantly and his excellent arrangements beautifully emphasize the melody lines, which, as always, show that he is not only one of the greatest Jazz bass players, but also a sublime composer. Overall, this is a superb piece of Jazz Big Band music in every respect, and one of the very few recordings which truly deserved receiving the Grammy award (for the second time in 2005). For Jazz Big Band connoisseurs this is a delightful album and an instant gratification, no questions asked. Wholeheartedly recommended!

Updated: 12/12/2025Posted: 12/12/2025

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend

KENNY WHEELER LEGACY ~ SOME DAYS ARE BETTER: THE LOST SCORES GREENLEAF ~ UK ~ Big Band Jazz Recorded: 2024 Released: 2025 This is a wonderful tribute album to the British trumpeter / composer Kenny WheelerFind albums by this artist, which documents an early period of his career, presenting music he composed in the early 1970s, which was broadcasted by the BBC, and remained forgotten until re-discovered by Nick SmartFind albums by this artist, as part of his research for his Kenny Wheeler biography entitled “Song For Someone: The Musical Life Of Kenny Wheeler” published by Equinox. The historical background and details about the music are described in the extensive liner notes / booklet, written by Smart, which accompanies this album. The Kenny Wheeler LegacyFind albums by this artist is a large group of musicians, which includes the Royal Academy Of Music Jazz OrchestraFind albums by this artist, directed by Smart, and the Frost Jazz OrchestraFind albums by this artist from Miami, directed by John DaversaFind albums by this artist, as well as several featured musicians, including vocalist Norma WinstoneFind albums by this artist, saxophonists Evan ParkerFind albums by this artist and Chris PotterFind albums by this artist and others. The music is of course absolutely divine, beautifully melodic and intricately scored, superbly recorded at the iconic Abbey Road studios and offering a sublime sound quality. Although the music was composed fifty years ago, it sounds completely contemporary and is of course timeless. The rich Big Band sound and excellent soloing by the featured musicians are simply the best possible tools to bring the lost / forgotten music back to life in its full splendor. Overall, this is a perfect embodiment of Wheeler’s musical spirit, which in the early 1970s was dedicated mainly to large Jazz ensembles. His compositions sound as fresh and sparkling as they were at the time when they were composed and first performed. All the people involved in the production of this album deserve a deep gratitude from all lovers of Wheeler’s music and I can’t imagine a more fitting tribute to his Genius, in addition of course, to making this music available again. This is beyond essential!

Updated: 24/12/2025Posted: 24/12/2025

CD 1 Essential Recommend To A Friend

JOACHIM KUHN ~ UNIVERSAL TIME UNIVERSAL 044001667121 (Barcode: 044001667121) ~ GERMANY ~ Jazz Recorded: 2001 Released: 2002 This is an album by German pianist / composer / bandleader Joachim KuhnFind albums by this artist, recorded in a trio setting with American bassist Scott ColleyFind albums by this artist and Cuban drummer Horacio HernandezFind albums by this artist. French saxophonist / bass clarinetist Michel PortalFind albums by this artist and American saxophonist Chris PotterFind albums by this artist guest on selected tracks. The album presents eleven tracks, nine composed by Kuhn and two by Ornette ColemanFind albums by this artist. Kuhn plays piano on nine tracks and saxophone on two tracks. The music is a brilliant example of modern European Jazz with a large degree of Freedom and Improvisation, but based on strictly and brilliantly composed themes. The lineup shifts between trio, quartet and quintet settings, and allows wonderful interplay between these exceptional musicians. Kuhn is undoubtedly one of the most unique and innovative European Jazz musicians, and this album, as in fact all of his recordings, clearly show why. Kuhn dominates the proceedings with his virtuosic piano parts, mostly played at a hyper-fast tempo, but all the musicians get a chance to solo and show their chops, and the excellent rhythm section manages to keep standard time most of the time. For me, Kuhn is one of the greatest and most talented weavers of wonderful melodies, and this album is full of these. Overall, this is a superb album and sadly one of the lesser known in the extensive recorded legacy by Kuhn, which is absolutely worth being discovered, although it is not easy to be found these days. The hair-raising virtuosity of Kuhn has but a few equals in modern Jazz and he never recorded an album, which is not worthy of an honorable place in a serious modern Jazz record collection.

Updated: 12/08/2024Posted: 12/08/2024

CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend

MAREK NAPIORKOWSKI ~ WAW NYC AGORA 9788326825897 (Barcode: 9788326825897) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion Recorded: 2017 Released: 2017 This is an album by Polish guitarist / composer Marek NapiorkowskiFind albums by this artist, recorded (as the title suggests) with a Polish / American quartet, which also includes Cuban (resident in NY) pianist Manuel ValeraFind albums by this artist, Polish bassist Robert KubiszynFind albums by this artist and American drummer Clarence PennFind albums by this artist. American saxophonist Chris PotterFind albums by this artist guests on one track. The album presents seven original compositions, six by Napiorkowski and one by Kubiszyn. The music presents a collection of beautifully melodic tunes, as appropriate for Napiorkowski´s already well established composing career, which all suite ideally his virtuosic guitar performances. Floating between genres and changing moods, the music eventually could be best described as Fusion, but of course in case of Napiorkowski that is only fitting for lack of a better term, as his music is way richer and ambitious than the usual Fusion efforts. The tunes are full of twists and turns, tempo changes and complex harmonic structures, that produce an overall powerful and broad sound, which keeps the listener on his toes from start to finish. All the musicians participating in this project are Masters of their trade and their playing here is professional and perfect in every respect. The focus is obviously on Napiorkowski, but this is definitely a group effort in every respect and the leader shares the responsibilities with his partners on an equal foot. Valera is a magnificent pianist, with an incredibly sensitive touch on the keyboard and a soulful lyricism, which are ideal for this music. Kubiszyn is a highly melodic bassist, very sensitive to the intricacies this music requires and always there where his support is needed. Penn is exquisitely dynamic, always there behind the players, but never obtrusive or overwhelming beyond the call of duty. Overall this is a wonderful album which is a true pleasure to listen to, calling for repeated listening sessions in order to get the depth and complexity of these performances absorbed in full. Fusion fans the world over should be melting to the sound of this music playing in the background, not to mention guitar diehards, who are in for a treat. But beyond the guitar artistry and group performances, the music is what stays in the long term! Hats off Maestro!

Updated: 27/01/2018Posted: 27/01/2018

CD 1 Digibook Recommend To A Friend

STEVE SWALLOW ~ DAMAGED IN TRANSIT XTRAWATT 11 (Barcode: 044006779225) ~ USA ~ Jazz Recorded: 2001 Released: 2003 This is a live album by American bassist / composer Steve SwallowFind albums by this artist, recorded in an all American trio setting with saxophonist Chris PotterFind albums by this artist and drummer Adam NussbaumFind albums by this artist. The album presents nine tracks, all composed by Swallow. The music was recorded during the trio’s tour in France. The music is rather unusual for Swallow, as it offers mostly straightforward swinging Jazz, which presents plenty of opportunity for Swallow to perform lengthy solos on his bass guitar. But naturally the focus of the music is on Potter, who is in charge of the melodic contents, with Nussbaum keeping the music swinging vigorously. The nine tracks sound like one continuous piece, even though they were recorded at different dates and locations. The saxophone trio, which is usually a rather tough format for listeners, sounds very tight together and basically offers a sound of a full ensemble, able to perform a coherent continuity and not lacking anything more in order to sound whole. Most of the material is up-tempo, which is definitely a demanding challenge for the trio members, but they don’t seem to mind and pass the test with flying colors. Overall, this is an excellent album of vigorous post-Bebop Jazz, spectacularly performed by these excellent musicians. Although I usually prefer Swallows more complex and introvert compositions, this is a great document of his abilities as straight-ahead Jazz player. For the many fans and followers of Swallow’s artistry, this is definitely a must-have album.

Updated: 19/01/2025Posted: 19/01/2025

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend