Record Reviews

HANKA GREGUSOVA ~ ESSENCE HEVHETIA 0082 (Barcode: 8588005257237) ~ SLOVAKIA ~ Jazz-World Fusion Recorded: 2014 Released: 2014 This is the second album by the Slovak vocalist Hanka GregusovaFind albums by this artist, which presents a beautiful tribute to Slovak Folklore. It features eleven folk songs, sung in Slovak and wonderfully arranged by pianist Ondrej KrajnakFind albums by this artist, who leads a Jazz quartet with bassist Josef FecoFind albums by this artist, drummer Marian SevcikFind albums by this artist and percussionist Stefan BugalaFind albums by this artist, which accompanies Gregusova on several tracks. On other tracks she is accompanied by a Folklore quartet, led by violinist Ivan HerakFind albums by this artist and featuring Josef Feco on cymbalon (also spelled cimbalom), Robert BoldiFind albums by this artist on viola and Marek BoldiFind albums by this artist on bass. One track features the combined forces of the Jazz and Folklore ensembles and the remaining tracks are more intimate trio, duet and solo vocal pieces. Several guest musicians also participate in the recording. This album is a classic example of what Jazz-World Fusion is all about and how it can be achieved successfully. Both the World music and Jazz idioms are given a respectful and graceful treatment, and are mixed with elegance and charm. The Jazz arrangements are of course further distanced from the original folk songs than the Folklore treatment, but the overall atmosphere and continuity of the album achieve a wonderful journey based on the Slovak Folklore transposed into contemporary musical language. Gregusova has a warm, well rounded voice which works both in the Jazz and the Folklore environment. Her phrasing on the Jazzy interpretations is simply superb and the solo vocal piece is deeply moving. Krajnak is a superb pianist and a most skillful arranger, which is obvious from what he achieved on this album, but all the musicians involved are also top notch. The recording quality and the sound of the album are also excellent. Overall this is an aesthetically pleasing and musically successful cross genre project, which manages to be original, while respectfully presenting traditional folkloristic heritage. Definitely a model to be followed and enjoyed!

CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend

OTTO HEJNIC ~ ONE HEVHETIA 0060 (Barcode: 8588002496899) ~ CZECH REPUBLIC ~ Jazz Recorded: 2011 Released: 2012 This is the debut album by Czech Jazz drummer / pianist / composer Otto HejnicFind albums by this artist, recorded in a classic trio format with pianist Ondrej KrajnakFind albums by this artist and bassist Josef FecoFind albums by this artist. The album presents nine original compositions, all by Hejnic. Eight of the compositions are performed by the trio and one is a solo piano piece performed by Hejnic. Hejnic continues the fabulous Czech Jazz piano composition tradition, developed by such giants like Emil ViklickyFind albums by this artist, Karel RuzickaFind albums by this artist and others, which continues to be developed by the younger generation of Czech musicians. The compositions presented here are all mature, beautifully melodic and sophisticated. Both the lyrical ballads and the up tempo pieces show first class compositional skills, characterized by highly aesthetic approach and obvious passion. Hejnic wisely passed the task of playing the piano onto Krajnak, who emerges as one of the most skilled East European pianists, as documented by his other recordings. Feco, who plays with Krajnak on other recordings, is an absolute virtuoso bass player, and his extraordinary skills are plainly evident on this album from start to finish. Hejnic plays the drums set dynamically and always shoulder to shoulder with his cohorts, which being also a pianist probably helps considerably. The trio performance is simply fabulous. The sound quality and the recording are also excellent, which turns this album into a true piano trio gem. Overall this is a most impressive debut album by Hejnic, who emerges primarily as a remarkable composer but also as a first rate performer. The trio performance is simply exemplary. Very highly recommended to all piano trio aficionados and Jazz connoisseurs the world over!

CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend

OTTO HEJNIC ~ STANDARDS ONE HEVHETIA 0087 (Barcode: 8588005257282) ~ CZECH REPUBLIC ~ Jazz Recorded: 2014 Released: 2014 This is the second album by Czech Jazz drummer / pianist / composer Otto HejnicFind albums by this artist, recorded in a classic Jazz piano trio format with pianist Ondrej KrajnakFind albums by this artist and bassist Josef FecoFind albums by this artist. In contrast to the debut, which presented solely original compositions by Hejnic, this album features the trio´s interpretations of six classic standards, and in addition three short interludes, credited to the trio, are also included. Playing standards becomes increasingly more and more challenging with the passing of time, as these melodies have been performed already immeasurable number of times by countless musicians the world over. Therefore albums presenting standards must be judged more rigorously than albums with original music and using different criteria. There is no doubt that this album is beautifully played by very talented musicians, and can be counted as a first rate effort. Krajnak has a unique touch and his sense of melody and timing are impeccable. Feco is a superb, virtuoso bassist, who always demonstrates elegance and sensitivity. Hejnic provides a steady and reliable rhythmic support. Together the trio presents a graceful, intelligent and classy act, which makes this album a pleasant listening experience and for classic Jazz piano trio fans is a must have. However the interpretations of these standards remain within the mainstream tradition, with no attempt to introduce any novelty or adventure. Obviously this is the way the trio wanted this music to sound, which I respect of course, but personally I´m always in a lookout for unexpected twists and turns, which are simply not present here. Summa summarum this is a classic Jazz piano trio album, which should make the lovers of the genre ecstatically happy, full of grace and intrinsic joy of music, even if it breaks no new ground. Definitely worth checking out!

CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend

OTTO HEJNIC ~ THIS IS HOW IT IS HEVHETIA 233 (Barcode: 8588005259293) ~ CZECH REPUBLIC ~ Jazz Recorded: 2022 Released: 2022 This is the fifth album by Czech drummer / composer Otto HejnicFind albums by this artist, recorded with his trio which includes pianist Ondrej KrajnakFind albums by this artist and bassist Josef FecoFind albums by this artist. The album presents seven original compositions, all by the leader. With Krajnak switching to the Fender Rhodes electric piano, the sound of the trio is metamorphosed away from the classic Jazz piano trio I was accustomed to and offers a refreshing experience, although of course takes the listener some five decades back, to the time the electric piano reached the peak of its popularity in the early 1970s. Whichever way one wats to look at this, the change definitely is most welcome. The music is still very melodic, as usual with Hejnic’s compositions, somewhat melancholic but always perfectly rounded. The trio members have obvious fan with this music, performing splendidly, as expected, with an excellent interplay between them and the resulting music flows smoothly from one tune to another, taking the listener on a most pleasant ride along. Hejnic is a living proof to the fact, that some of the best Jazz composers are drummers, which for some reason is not usually expected, but in his case, and numerous others, is definitely true. So beware of the stereotype of the drummer being just the guy with the sticks :) Overall, this is another excellent offering by this excellent trio, fresh and unexpected but definitely up to par with their previous recordings. The electric piano sound, one of my favorite instruments, is magic and personally I loved every moment of this music, which most probably many other Jazz listeners will also experience. Warmly recommended and thank you my Friends for the music!

Updated: 18/10/2022Posted: 18/10/2022

CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend