Record Reviews

DAVID DORUZKA ~ SILENTLY DAWNING ANIMAL MUSIC 007 (Barcode: 8594155990078) ~ CZECH REPUBLIC ~ Jazz & Poetry Recorded: 2007 Released: 2008 This is the second album as a leader by Czech guitarist / composer David DoruzkaFind albums by this artist, recorded in a quartet setting with Swedish vocalist Josefine LindstrandFind albums by this artist and a Polish rhythm section: bassist Michal BaranskiFind albums by this artist and drummer Lukasz ZytaFind albums by this artist. The album presents twelve original compositions, all by Doruzka except for one piece which is a short percussion interlude by Zyta. Nine of the compositions feature lyrics based on poems by American poetess Emily DickinsonFind albums by this artist (four), Czech Jewish poet Jiri OrtenFind albums by this artist (two) and Lindstrand (three), one is an instrumental and another one is a vocalese / guitar duo. Lindstrand sings all the poems in their original language, i.e. English, Czech and Swedish, which of course is highly unusual and admirable. The album is elegantly packaged and all the poems are presented in appropriate translation in three languages – an obvious publishing labor of elegance and typical Czech care of details, designs and respect towards Culture. The entire album is of course a highly challenging Jazz & Poetry project, which as my readers know is one of my favorite idioms. The music is fitted to the lyrics in most of the pieces, being minimalist and beautifully delicate. The entire aura is deeply melancholic and introvert, even fragile, which is hardly surprising considering Dickinson´s moody, Orten´s mystical / philosophical and Lindstrand introvert poetry, all creating a rather intense atmosphere, which is even more emphasized by the character of the music. Doruzka, despite his age (he was only twenty-seven years old when this music was recorded) manages to compose the highly demanding musical framework for the poetic content, which is remarkably mature and respectful. Most of the vocals are accompanied only by guitar and the rhythm section is featured rather sparingly, wisely minimized to achieve the optimal effect. Baranski contributes several wonderful soli, which serve as interludes but are kept within the clear boundaries of the fragile architecture of this project. Doruzka plays both the acoustic and the electric guitar, always at low volume but certainly no less expressively. The principle of "less is more" is obviously a basic assumption, which proves to be highly effective here. Overall this is a beautiful, elegant and deeply aesthetic piece of music, utilizing the deeply European approach to interdisciplinary concept of Art and Culture, expressed here in the best possible way. It is a true joy to see David grow into a bona fide Jazz musician, especially in view of the fact that his Grandfather, the great Czech writer / music critic / Jazz activist Lubomir DoruzkaFind albums by this artist was a dear friend of mine for many years and whom I remember fondly to this very day. The apple did not, obviously, fell far from the tree ;) Godspeed!

Updated: 23/10/2020Posted: 23/10/2020

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