Record Reviews

KAREL RUZICKA JR. ~ GRACE & GRATITUDE ANIMAL MUSIC 072 (Barcode: 8594155991389) ~ CZECH REPUBLIC ~ Jazz Recorded: 2018 Released: 2018 This is the fourth album as a leader by Czech (resident in US) Jazz saxophonist / composer Karel Ruzicka Jr.Find albums by this artist recorded in NY with American musicians: pianist Jon CowherdFind albums by this artist, bassist John PatitucciFind albums by this artist and drummer Nate SmithFind albums by this artist. The album presents eight original compositions, all by the leader. Ruzicka is the son of pianist / composer / bandleader Karel RuzickaFind albums by this artist, one of the Godfathers of modern Czech Jazz and a notable teacher of generations of Czech Jazz musicians, whom I was lucky to know in person. The two managed to record a couple of father & son led albums before the untimely death of Ruzicka Sr. in 2016. The music is all straightforward mainstream American Jazz, based on the excellent compositions by the leader, superbly performed by these highly professional musicians. The compositions offer solid melody lines and perfect harmony, showing strong Blues and Bebop roots, like most American mainstream albums. Ruzicka is a wonderful saxophonist, sleek and soulful, and his performances throughout this album are absolutely ideal for his music. The album is in many respects a "perfect" example of contemporary mainstream American Jazz. Having said that, however, personally I keep wondering why would Ruzicka Jr. create music that is a perfect replica of virtually thousands of similar albums recorded by American Jazz musicians during the last five decades, ignoring his European cultural legacy on one side and give up any attempt to emancipate his music from the constrains that keep American Jazz frozen for so long, on the other side. Of course he can do anything he sees fit, and even do it perfectly, but the question still stands… Overall this is a "classic" American mainstream Jazz album, flawlessly performed, but completely conventional and devoid of any attempt to innovate. Having said that, this album might certainly be a perfect listening companion for many Jazz listeners, who prefer this risk-free facet of the Jazz idiom.

Updated: 02/10/2020Posted: 02/10/2020

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TOMAS SYKORA ~ SONGS FOR ORCHESTRA ANIMAL MUSIC 093 (Barcode: 8594155997213) ~ CZECH REPUBLIC ~ Pop-Classical Fusion Recorded: 2020 Released: 2021 This is an album by Czech pianist / composer Tomas SykoraFind albums by this artist, a member of The Prague SixFind albums by this artist composers group. It presents a live concert recording of a Jazz quartet with Sykora, saxophonist David FranekFind albums by this artist, bassist Tomas LiskaFind albums by this artist and drummer Roman VichaFind albums by this artist with the Prague Radio Symphony OrchestraFind albums by this artist conducted by Stepanka BalcarovaFind albums by this artist. The music includes Jazz-Classical Fusion arrangements of three pieces: a composition by veteran Czech Jazz pianist / composer Karel RuzickaFind albums by this artist, a five-part suite composed by Sykora and a suite composed by saxophonist / composer Karel Ruzicka Jr.Find albums by this artist, the son of Ruzicka Senior, based on his compositions for the album “Grace & GratitudeFind albums with this title”, compiled and arranged by Sykora. The music is beautifully melodic and full of Eastern European melancholy, which of course is hardly surprising. Although composed by three very different composers, the amalgam with the orchestral arrangements and the spirit driving the music manages to create a coherent, well-structured musical experience, which is aesthetically pleasing. Despite the fact that many symphonic Jazz projects end up as complete failures, this project is perfectly able to defend the very idea that such joint ventures can be both viable and rewarding. Sykora manages to create a very delicate balance between the quartet parts and the orchestral parts, which is very tricky. The transitions between the Jazz quartet performances and the Classical orchestra ones are smooth and logical and offer a natural development. Personally I admire Balcarova, who manages to make the symphonic orchestra to sound at times much closer to a Jazz Big Band than a Classical orchestra, which is very rarely achieved – beautifully done indeed. Even the “Grace & Gratitude” material sounds way more attractive than the original album version, which sadly lacked any originality. With the new arrangements the music feels alive and comes back to its Cultural home, where it belongs. Overall this is a wonderful album, which manages to create a consistent bridge between Jazz and Classical Music, avoiding all the kitschy traps that often imperil such efforts. It offers beautiful music, superbly arranged and splendidly executed, which should keep all lovers of such cross-genre explorations totally satisfied. Despite the fact that the music was recorded live, it offers wonderful sound quality and separation, as usual with Animal MusicFind albums on this label releases, which are an epitome of European elegance and grace, made the Czech way – hats off!

Updated: 05/08/2021Posted: 05/08/2021

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