Record Reviews

FRANTISEK BALES ~ BASNE MUZICKE HEVHETIA 0253 (Barcode: 8588005259491) ~ SLOVAKIA ~ Jazz & Poetry Recorded: 2022 Released: 2022 This is an album by Slovak keyboardist / composer Frantisek BalesFind albums by this artist and his ensemble, which also includes vocalist Matus UhliarikFind albums by this artist, bassist Vladimir MacajFind albums by this artist and drummer Juraj SusanikFind albums by this artist. Numerous guest musicians participate on selected tracks. The album presents ten tracks, nine of which are based on poems by six celebrated Slovak poets set to music by Bales, which of course make this a Jazz & Poetry project. The opening track is a poem by Bales dedicated to the poet Pavol Orshagh HviezdoslavFind albums by this artist, with three of his poems included on this album. Two of the poems are translated into English and the others are performed in Slovak language. The music is perfectly suited to the literary context, with basic classic Jazz piano trio environment, richly decorated by the more elaborated instrumental pats provided by the guests. The atmosphere is typical of Eastern European lyricism, based on wonderful melodic themes, which are mostly melancholic and lyrical. The entire production and the arrangements create a solid, coherent Jazz & Poetry experience, which although losing some of its charm due to the language barriers, still manages to achieve its basic goal of combining music and texts into a result, which is stronger than just the sum of its ingredients. There is plenty of genuine modern Jazz spirit and excellent soloing here to satisfy every Jazz lover on the planet, with the bonus of some splendid poetic presence for those, who can understand the language. But the vocals are very enjoyable just on the musical level, so the language barrier can be ignored with some flexibility. Overall, this is a beautiful Jazz & Poetry album, an idiom which is not only more popular in Eastern Europe than anywhere else, but also usually more Artistically accepted as an integral part of the Jazz scene. For the idiom lovers, this album works regardless of the language barriers, and is therefore highly recommended. Since some of the poetry included herein was excellently translated into English, poetry lover might want to explore that avenue as well. Definitely worth being discovered and thanks to my Friend Jan SudzinaFind albums by this artist, owner of the HevhetiaFind albums on this label label, for producing this little gem.

Updated: 05/05/2023Posted: 05/05/2023

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