Record Reviews

GINGER BAKER / ENERGY ~ LIVE IN MILAN ITALY 1980 VOICEPRINT / TMQ 058 (Barcode: 604388738427) ~ UK ~ Blues-Rock Recorded: 1980 Released: 2010 This live recording is one of several releases based on the private archives of legendary drummer Ginger BakerFind albums by this artist, which finally see the light of day. Although not intended for a formal release and suffering from "bootleg" sound quality problems, the musical importance of this material is so significant, that it overshadows any technicalities and is essentially a Godsend. This album brings a live recording of Baker´s ensemble EnergyFind albums by this artist, which he founded in 1979, marking his return to Rock for a while. Energy recorded only one live album during its short life-span (it was released over a decade later), and any additional material by the band is invaluable. Baker assembled a formidable group featuring the talents of guitarists John MizarolliFind albums by this artist and Whitey DavisFind albums by this artist, keyboardist David LennoxFind albums by this artist and bassist Henry ThomasFind albums by this artist. The material is mostly Blues-Rock based, with Mizarolli playing some incredible solos. Definitely worth investigating, provided you´re not squeamish about sound quality.

CD 2 Recommend To A Friend

	ENERGYPSY ~ TAMBOREA ALULA 1012 ~ SPAIN ~ World Music & Folklore A Spanish group playing a modern version of Flamenco and Gypsy music. Highly energetic and up tempo, with great melodies and vocals in Spanish.
	CD 1 Recommend To A Friend

KAZIMIERZ JONKISZ ENERGY ~ 6 HOURS WITH RONNIE FOR TUNE 0070 (Barcode: 5902768701739) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 2014 Released: 2015 This album documents the meeting between veteran Polish Jazz drummer Kazimierz JonkiszFind albums by this artist and his ensemble EnergyFind albums by this artist with legendary American baritone saxophonist Ronnie CuberFind albums by this artist. The following musicians also take part in the recording: saxophonists Borys JanczarskiFind albums by this artist and Tomasz GrzegorskiFind albums by this artist, trumpeter Robert MurakowskiFind albums by this artist, pianist Jan SmoczynskiFind albums by this artist and bassist Wojciech PulcynFind albums by this artist. The album was recorded at the fabulous Studio Tokarnia, owned by Smoczynski, who also engineered and mastered the album, with the usual spectacular sonic result. The music includes six compositions, two of which are originals by Pulcyn, one is by Cuber and the remaining three are standards. The music is, as expected, straightforward mainstream Jazz, with the two Pulcyn tunes being by far the most refreshing pieces on this album. It is executed without a flaw by all the participants, although the session seems to be lacking any high energy or particular joy of life, which is typically present on the best Jazz recordings. Overall this is a nice, well played and well recorded mainstream Jazz album, which is no different from thousands of similar albums recorded before. As such it contributes nothing to the Jazz milieu and with all due respect is simply banal. Smoczynski plays some great introvert piano parts and Pulcyn, as always, keeps time beautifully, but other than that it´s all déjà vu. Of course since baritone saxophone is not heard very often, this is a good opportunity to enjoy this beautiful instrument being played well.

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend