Record Reviews

JAZZPOCALYPSE ~ SISYPHONIC SAINT LOUIS JAZZ COLLECTION 017.1 (Barcode: 8032880740327) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion Recorded: 2017 Released: 2017 This is the second album by the quartet JazzpocalypseFind albums by this artist, which comprises of Polish saxophonist Jakub SkowronskiFind albums by this artist, keyboardist Sebastian ZawadzkiFind albums by this artist, guitarist Wojciech SwiecaFind albums by this artist and German drummer Janosch PangritzFind albums by this artist, expanded to a quintet with the addition of Italian bassist Caterina PalazziFind albums by this artist. The album presents ten original compositions, two by Skowronski, three by Zawadzki, two by Swieca and three by Pangritz. The music is typical contemporary European mainstream Jazz, with solid compositions and excellent improvisations by the ensemble members. The tunes are melody based and present diverse approaches used by the four young composers, each creating a slightly different sonic world, but with all the compositions adding up to a coherent musical kaleidoscope. Some of the tunes are pretty straightforward, some are close to Jazz-Rock Fusion, mostly due to the strong presence of the electric guitar and yet others are relatively open and feature less restrained improvisations. The performances are all top notch, with the soloing evenly distributed between the front line players and a steady solid background provided by the rhythm section. All Jazz and Fusion connoisseurs should be able to find a lot to their liking here, and overall the album is a great fun to listen to, but also full of European Jazz aesthetics, superb compositions and depth rarely found across the pond. The album definitely fulfills the expectations that the group´s semi-official debut released some years ago managed to create. Hopefully we won´t have to wait so long for their next release!

Updated: 26/03/2018Posted: 26/03/2018

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend

TOMASZ KOWALCZYK ~ CHANGING PERCEPTIONS NOT ON LABEL (Barcode: 193428198593) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 2018 Released: 2018 This is the debut album by Polish (resident in Hamburg) pianist / composer Tomasz KowalczykFind albums by this artist, recorded in a classic Jazz piano trio format with bassist Niklas MullerFind albums by this artist and drummer Janosch PangritzFind albums by this artist. The album presents a short intro and six original compositions, four by Kowalczyk and two by Muller. The music was superbly recorded and offers an unprecedented, stunning sound quality. The music is wonderfully melodic, full of melancholy and lyricism and yet at the same time spirited and flowing energetically, which creates the feeling that the album is over very quickly, prompting the listener to press the repeat button. The trio performs as one organic unit, with an obvious; almost telepathic coordination, which at times is simply astounding. The overall sound is quite different from the classic Jazz piano trio routine, with the bass and drums being up in the mix at the same level as the piano and both of them playing often very distinct roles rather than just providing rhythmic accompaniment. All three musicians are excellent instrumentalists, each presenting very different personality and mannerisms, which work together quite miraculously. Pangritz is a very "busy" drummer at times, but manages carefully not to disturb the trio´s clarity and breathing space. Muller, who also plays a very nice arco, is also a perfect harmonic supporter keeping the overall sound of the trio together at all times. Kowalczyk´s magic fingers are all over the keyboard, but remain coherent and precise, avoiding the trap of trying to say too much. Overall this is a wonderful Jazz piano trio album, full of excellent original music and a true joy of playing. Although the music is conventional, it is as good as mainstream Jazz gets, doing everything exactly right. It is a very strong debut statement, which immediately calls for more to follow, and congratulations all definitely due. For melodic Jazz piano trio lovers, this is a dream come true.

Updated: 05/04/2019Posted: 05/04/2019

CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend

YOUPHORIC ~ THE ANSWER IS Y TARI TARO 4260062930752 (Barcode: 4260062930752) ~ GERMANY ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion Recorded: 2022 Released: 2024 This is the debut album by German Jazz quartet YouphoricFind albums by this artist, led by drummer / composer Janosch PangritzFind albums by this artist, with trumpeter David MechsnerFind albums by this artist, guitarist Alex FlorinFind albums by this artist and bassist / pianist Peter ScharonowFind albums by this artist. The album presents ten tracks, all composed by Pangritz. The music is based on highly melodic themes, mostly quite lyrical and atmospheric, which serve as ideal vehicles for the improvisations and soloing by the trumpet and guitar. There is a clear wink towards the European Fusion, although the music is more Fusion oriented by sound than by its character, and it includes some Free spirited vistas as well. The rhythm section drives the music powerfully at all time, with gutsy and funky bass lines and eventful drumming. There is a lot of diversity, both melodically / harmonically and rhythmically, which makes listening to this album an eventful and interesting experience from start to finish. The album is another example of the less familiar fact, where the drummer is also an excellent composer, as opposed to the notion that the drummers are supposed only to keep time. These ten tunes are all truly excellent. Overall, this is a great debut by this ensemble, which offers a lot of superb music and excellent performances, with a Fusion tinge but definitely avoiding the Fusion-associated shortcomings of unnecessary doodling. A very enjoyable listening to a wide scope of Jazz enthusiasts, who like the electric kick as well. Definitely well done!

Updated: 26/02/2024Posted: 26/02/2024

CD 1 Mini-Sleeve Recommend To A Friend