Record Reviews
1 Review Found. Use search to find more reviews or follow the links in the review text.
  | AKI TAKASE ~ PLAYS FATS WALLER
ENJA 9152 (Barcode: 767522915228) ~ JAPAN ~ Free Jazz / Improvised Music
Recorded: 2003 Released: 2004
This is an album by Japanese (resident in Germany) pianist / composer Aki TakaseFind albums by this artist, recorded with an excellent team of German musicians: bass clarinetist Rudi MahalFind albums by this artist, trombonist Nils WogramFind albums by this artist, trumpeter Thomas HebererFind albums by this artist, drummer Paul LovensFind albums by this artist and American vocalist / banjoist / guitarist Eugene ChadbourneFind albums by this artist. The album presents fifteen, mostly short tracks, and as the title suggests most of which were composed by the great American pianist / composer Fats WallerFind albums by this artist, with six original compositions by Takase also included.
The music moves constantly between the Stride Jazz, associated with Waller, and the completely modern / Free Jazz, which is the usual modus operandi of the musicians playing on the album, creating a wonderful stylistic see-saw and a brilliant musical experience. People expecting to hear here straightforward interpretation of Harlem Jazz from the 1920s and 1930s are in for a real big surprise ;)
Takase transforms Waller’s smoothly into the 21st Century, ignoring stylistic constrains and seeming “ignoring” the traditions, but of course a trained ear easily hears the genius involved. It’s not a coincidence that Takase has been one of my all-time favorite pianist and bandleaders, and this album is a perfect example of her super-human abilities.
Obviously it takes some intellectual effort to recognize the manipulations applied to the original compositions and the transformation path they go through herein, but the satisfaction is absolutely guaranteed.
Overall, this is a brilliant example of Takase’s genius, and her unique way of treating the Jazz tradition, bringing them into contemporary Jazz. The excellent team stands up to the challenge without a hitch and this music, despite its curves and twists, is a highly aesthetic journey into the unexpected. Wholeheartedly recommended!
| | Updated: 16/12/2023Posted: 16/12/2023 | CD 1 Recommend To A Friend |
|
