Record Reviews

URSZULA DUDZIAK ~ SORROW IS NOT FOREVER... BUT LOVE IS KEYTONE 726 ~ POLAND ~ Jazz-Funk Fusion Recorded: 1983 Released: 1986 This is an album by Polish Jazz vocalist Urszula DudziakFind albums by this artist, recorded during two NY sessions with her husband Michal UrbaniakFind albums by this artist, who plays the lyricon, and a great American team, which includes saxophonist Michael BreckerFind albums by this artist, Brazilian (resident in US) pianist Eliane EliasFind albums by this artist, guitarist Kevin EubanksFind albums by this artist, bassist Marcus MillerFind albums by this artist and drummer Peter ErskineFind albums by this artist. On one track another lineup is present, which comprises of Dudziak, saxophonist Bob MalachFind albums by this artist, Ukrainian (resident in US) pianist Vladimir HorunzhyFind albums by this artist, bassist Victor BaileyFind albums by this artist, drummer Omar HakimFind albums by this artist and percussionist Carol SteeleFind albums by this artist. This CD reissue adds two bonus tracks, not included on the original LP, recorded by the second lineup. The album presents eight tracks, four of which are original compositions by Urbaniak, two are by Horunzhy, one is by Eubanks and finally one is by Randy BerndsonFind albums by this artist. On this album Dudziak uses exclusively her brilliant and innovate vocalese, which sets her apart from the mainstream Jazz vocals, as a member of the small and exclusive group of Avant-Garde, mostly female vocal improvisers, together with such sublime vocalists like Lauren Newton, Jeanne Lee, Jay Clayton and others. Although the music is based on strong melodic themes and is mostly Funky / Groove oriented, the vocalese parts remain the focal point. This makes the music accessible to a wide audience, but the vocal parts are still artistically intact. Overall, this is a brilliant example of Dudziak’s magic vocal powers at their best and the album is an important milestone in her discography. Despite the fact that it is now over forty years since it was recorded, it still sounds wonderfully fresh. Although it is not easy to find a copy today, it is definitely worth the effort!

Updated: 12/01/2026Posted: 12/01/2026

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend

ELIANE ELIAS ~ MIRROR MIRROR CANDID 708857300426 (Barcode: 708857300426) ~ USA ~ Jazz Recorded: 2018 Released: 2021 This is an album by Brazilian (resident in USA) pianist Eliane EliasFind albums by this artist, who performs a series of piano duos with legendary American pianist / composer Chick CoreaFind albums by this artist and Cuban pianist / composer Chucho ValdesFind albums by this artist. The album presents seven tracks, four of which were recorded with Corea (in 2018) and three with Valdes (date unknown). Two of the tracks are original compositions by Corea, two are standards and three are Latin standards. The music is an absolute classic Jazz piano duo setting, with a strong Latin tinge, which flows briskly and is a perfect opportunity for all three Jazz virtuosi to show their best. For Jazz piano lovers, and especially piano duo lovers, this is a wonderful opportunity to enjoy exactly what that genre has to offer. Overall, this is an album, which delivers exactly what one expects, i.e. first class performances by top musicians, with non-stop razzle-dazzle from start to finish, which I personally find a bit over the top, despite my deep love of all the three great performers.

Updated: 31/03/2026Posted: 31/03/2026

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend