Record Reviews

BARBARA BRUCKMULLER ~ A CHAIN OF MOMENTS BICOLORIOUS MUSIC 2024-01 ~ AUSTRIA ~ Jazz-Classical Fusion Recorded: 2024 Released: 2024 This is a 3CD album by Austrian composer / arranger / bandleader Barbara BruckmullerFind albums by this artist, which presents her Suite in five Movements, called “A Chain Of Moments”. The suite is performed in three different arrangements, each on a separate CD. CD1 presents the suite performed by piano and a string quartet, with Cuban (resident in NY) pianist Aruan OrtizFind albums by this artist. CD2 presents the suite performed by a Jazz sextet, which includes Ortiz, saxophonist Viola FalbFind albums by this artist, Polish trumpeter Kaya MellerFind albums by this artist, trombonist Mario VavtiFind albums by this artist, bassist Thatiana GomesFind albums by this artist and drummer Howard CurtisFind albums by this artist. CD3 presents the suite performed by the Barbara Bruckmuller Jazz OrchestraFind albums by this artist & Strings, which also includes Ortiz and other local Jazz musicians, like saxophonist Tobias HoffmannFind albums by this artist, trombonist Robert BachnerFind albums by this artist and the a.m. members of the sextet and the string quartet. All the music was recorded live, with the orchestra performing at the famous Porgy & Bess Club in Vienna and the smaller lineups at the MusikQuartier 1060 in Vienna. The sheer scope of this project is truly impressive, requiring the composer / arranger to re-think the music in different environment, with the specific challenges and limitations in mind, all of which Bruckmuller does with incredible skills and obvious expertise. As a result, the listener is exposed to classic example of the differences between these three Jazz environments: Jazz-Classical, Jazz ensemble and Jazz Big Band. Although the music is obviously the same, it sounds quite different in these varied exposures, enabling an ideal comparative experience. Ortiz, who is usually associated with the Avant-Garde Jazz scene, shows that he is perfectly capable of playing scores exactly as written, and his improvisational identity is most evident during the sextet performance, where he soloes extensively. But his contribution to this recording, in all three exposures, it absolutely outstanding and highly appreciated. Of course the actual music, which we can enjoy, is the most important factor, which makes the entire experience so enjoyable and artistically fulfilling. Bruckmuller is a wonderful weaver beautiful melodic themes, as well as a skillful arranger, especially in the Big Band environment, and her work so far is really outstanding. Overall, this is a highly ambitious and complex musical adventure, which presents a suite in three different Jazz environments, proving that great music sound wonderful in every milieu, when it is aesthetically sound and skillfully performed. I absolutely loved this album and highly recommend it to all Jazz fans, who love the flirt between Jazz and Classical Music, and of course the European Big Band Jazz sound. Well done Milady!

Updated: 11/04/2025Posted: 11/04/2025

CD 3 Mini-Sleeve Recommend To A Friend

KAYA MELLER ~ REFLECTIONS NOT ON LABEL ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 2019 Released: 2019 This is the debut album by young Polish Jazz trumpeter / composer Kaya MellerFind albums by this artist recorded with her quartet, which also includes pianist Eloa GoncalvesFind albums by this artist, bassist Tin DzaferovicFind albums by this artist and drummer Peter LenzFind albums by this artist. The album presents seven original compositions, all by Meller. The music is melody based modern European Jazz, well structured and coherent, but at the same time open enough to allow the music reach beyond the mainstream boundaries. The intimate quartet setting allows the leader and the pianist to develop lengthy solo parts, supported by the amicable rhythm section, which handles the standard rhythmic patterns and the odd meters with ease and elegance. Meller´s trumpet playing – very unusual instrument for a female Jazz instrumentalist – is surprisingly mature and polished. It bears some traces of the Berklee education, but luckily the Americans didn’t manage to kill her originality and she presents a highly individual stylistic approach, which shows strong European roots, lyricism and aesthetics, which is only present on the Old Continent. Her compositions offer broad and diverse stylistic explorations, which encompass within the same framework contemporary Chamber Music and Modern Jazz. Her ballads have a distinct Nordic characteristic, full of melancholy and minimalism, whereas her up-tempo compositions show a strong World Music influences and complex rhythmic structures. Goncalves is a wonderful pianist and an ideal partner for Meller´s conceptual approach, providing beautiful melodic layers that carry the trumpet voicing. Her soloing is also exceptionally well structured and compliments the music every step of the way. The rhythm section keeps the music afloat with highly melodic and dense bass structures in the background and relatively sparse drumming, which is non obtrusive buy always right on the money. Overall this is a stunning debut effort, presenting a young but already seasoned instrumentalist and a gifted composer, with obvious bright future ahead of her. The album is full of excellent music and first class performances, which can be enjoyed by every Jazz connoisseur around the globe. Very well done and bonne chance with the future endeavors!

Updated: 01/10/2019Posted: 01/10/2019

CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend