Record Reviews

MADE IN CHINA ~ TRANSMISSIONS FOR TUNE 0098 (Barcode: 5902768701975) ~ USA ~ Jazz Recorded: 2015 Released: 2016 This is an album by the Jazz trio called Made In ChinaFind albums by this artist, which consists of Canadian (resident in NY) saxophonist Michael BlakeFind albums by this artist, Swiss trombonist Samuel BlaserFind albums by this artist and American drummer Michael SarinFind albums by this artist. The trio´s name, as explained in the liner notes, originates from the fact that it was put together in order to play concerts in China. The album presents eight compositions, four of which are originals by Blake, two are originals by Blaser, one is by the legendary South African drummer Louis MoholoFind albums by this artist and the remaining one is Jamaican ska tune. The music is based on exchanges of improvised passages between Blake and Blaser, with Sarin laying some rhythmic patterns behind them. It has its Bebop roots, like most American Jazz, but it is not unchained enough to be considered as fully blown Improvised Music and not restrained enough to be considered mainstream. Personally this kind of playing leaves me completely cold and I don´t see where it is going at all. It contains no emotional statement nor does it impress with its virtuosity or cleverness. In short it is completely unimpressive. I wonder why the For TuneFind albums on this label label, having at its disposal endless stream of superb original Polish Jazz, would invest in completely secondary American efforts, which look incredibly pale in the catalogue standing side by side with the Polish releases. But of course it´s only my point of view.

Updated: 11/08/2016Posted: 11/08/2016

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