Record Reviews

STEPANKA BALCAROVA ~ LIFE AND HAPPINESS OF JULIAN TUWIM ANIMAL MUSIC 065 (Barcode: 8594155991709) ~ CZECH REPUBLIC ~ Jazz & Poetry Recorded: 2017 Released: 2017 This is the debut album as a leader by Czech trumpeter / composer Stepanka BalcarovaFind albums by this artist, recorded with a septet comprising of Czech and Polish Jazz musicians: vocalist Malgorzata HutekFind albums by this artist, saxophonist Marcel BartaFind albums by this artist, flautist Robert FischmannFind albums by this artist, pianist Nikola KolodziejczykFind albums by this artist, bassist Jaromir HonzakFind albums by this artist and drummer Grzegorz MaslowskiFind albums by this artist. As the title suggests, the album presents nine poems by Polish / Jewish poet Julian TuwimFind albums by this artist, which were made into songs with original music composed by Balcarova. The album is a typical Jazz & Poetry project, which apparently is a specialty of the Eastern European region (Poland especially), and which keeps the wondrous and much neglected elsewhere idiom alive and kicking. Of course tackling Tuwim´s poems, who after all was the most important 20th Century Polish poet, is an extremely risky undertaking, especially in view of the fact that his poems were already made into songs countless times before by some of the best composers out there. Balcarova decided to compose music to Tuwim´s early poetry, published (with one exception) between 1918 and 1923, which are more rarely used as sources of songs, and therefore she brings forward to the public eye a lesser known facet of his poetry. I am happy to say that Balcarova managed to create a consistent song cycle, with her music being very appropriate to the poetic contents. The music is full of melancholy, perhaps even a bit too somber at times, since these poems are considered as optimistic and vital in comparison to Tuwim´s later work, which was full of cynicism and resentment. Nevertheless the music, as already mentioned, is more than appropriate in this context and its melodic qualities, which incorporate strong Eastern European folkloristic motifs, is definitely impressive. The polyrhythmic compositions are the most successful and interesting musically, but they are a minority. The instrumental work is also very solid from start to finish, with excellent solo parts by the players and supportive rhythm section. Kolodziejczyk is definitely the key player, who keeps the harmonic structures in place and accompanies the vocals amicably, adding some splendid solo parts on the fly. The vocals suffer from some problems: they are way too theatrical and loud; there is way too much vibrato and almost no reference between the actual lyrics (poems) and the way they are expressed. Hutek sings forcefully even in the most intimate moments, which at its extreme manifestations is pretty annoying. I´d rather have these texts whispered rather than sung the way they are. But to be fair these texts are extremely difficult and combined with the music, which also is often challenging, Hutek does the best she can to make it work and overall, with a bit of acquired taste, does fine. But this album is all about the music, first and foremost, and as such it is a splendid piece of work, that deserves to be heard and enjoyed. Beautifully packaged and with a booklet that includes the original poems in Polish and Czech and English translations, this is a piece of Culture that true connoisseurs of the Jazz & Poetry idiom would absolutely love to have in their collections. Wholeheartedly recommended!

Updated: 04/03/2018Posted: 04/03/2018

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DORUZKA / FISCHMANN / NOVAK ~ GILGUL ANIMAL MUSIC 119 (Barcode: 8594211850261) ~ CZECH REPUBLIC ~ Jazz-World Fusion Recorded: 2023 Released: 2023 This is an album by the Czech Jazz trio comprising of guitarist / composer David DoruzkaFind albums by this artist, flautist / vocalist / composer Robert FischmannFind albums by this artist and drummer / percussionist Martin NovakFind albums by this artist. Three additional players participate on selected tracks: clarinetist / saxophonist Lubos SoukupFind albums by this artist, bass clarinetist / saxophonist Marcel BartaFind albums by this artist and trombonist Stepan JanousekFind albums by this artist. The album presents thirteen tracks, which include a four-part suite and a three-part suite, six of which are traditional Jewish / Hassidic melodies arranged by Fischmann, four are original compositions by Fischmann, two are by Doruzka and one is co-composed by all three trio members. Jewish music has been an important source of inspiration in contemporary Jazz, which I had an opportunity to witness closely as the Musical Director of the Singer Jazz Festival hold in Warsaw during the last decade. Some of those attempts to combine the genres were truly inspirational and impressive, others often suffered from opportunism and chalturism due to complete lack of understanding of the Cultural background and spirituality of the Jewish and Hassidic traditions. I an extremely happy to see that this beautiful album belongs to the former category. The music offers an intimate, completely acoustic and delicate treatments of traditional material, intertwined with original compositions, which match the overall atmosphere and spirit of the entire project. Most of the tracks are performed by the trio, but five offer an extended sextet arrangement, which is somewhat more Jazz oriented than the rest of the pieces, but again stay within the intimate and highly lyrical mood. There is definitely a strong dose of Easter European lyricism and melancholy involved as well. Although there are plenty of individual solos, the music is definitely more about the concept and overall message than about display of instrumental virtuosity. Fischmann’s flute work dominates the proceedings, as the leading melodic compass, with Doruzka supplying the harmonic layers and soloing occasionally, and the wonderfully sensitive drumming by Novak keeps the music flowing gently but firmly from one tune to another. The album offers a written essay by Fischmann, which explains the sources and inspirations for the individual songs, as well as the religious concept of transmigration of souls, which gives the album its title, and which is not unique to the Jewish tradition, but plays an important role in some of the Hassidic streams. On a personal note, I’d like to mention that this music is somewhat in the same spiritual sphere as the music by the excellent Polish Jazz trio BastardaFind albums by this artist, which I wholeheartedly recommend. Overall, this is beautiful and deeply moving album, which deserves to be heard by all music lovers, also those beyond the strict Jazz circles. As usual, the superb sound quality and production by the Animal MusicFind albums on this label label is as perfect as one might hope for, for which I am, as usual, grateful. Grab a copy as soon as possible!

Updated: 18/10/2023Posted: 18/10/2023

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JAROMIR HONZAK ~ FACE OF THE BASS ANIMAL MUSIC 025 (Barcode: 8594155995134) ~ CZECH REPUBLIC ~ Jazz Recorded: 2010 - 2011 Released: 2011 This is the sixth album by Czech Jazz bassist / composer / bandleader Jaromir HonzakFind albums by this artist recorded with keyboardists Beata HlavenkovaFind albums by this artist and Michal NejtekFind albums by this artist, saxophonist / clarinetist Marcel BartaFind albums by this artist and drummer Roman VichaFind albums by this artist. The album presents nine pieces, four of which are original compositions by Honzak, two are original compositions by Nejtek, one is an original composition by Hlavenkova and the final two are Honzak’s arrangements of Pop songs. Two of the tracks feature string orchestra arrangements. The music is beautifully recorded at SONO Records studio by Milan CimfeFind albums by this artist. The album has a unique atmosphere, quite different from most of Honzak’s recorded legacy, being perhaps his most Fusion oriented work to date. It is still very much rooted in Jazz of course, but the synthesizer soaked sound and the choice of material gives the music a more contemporary feel, definitely way more accessible to a wider and perhaps younger audience. But the music is, as always, wonderful from start to finish and so are the performances. The double keyboards sound, electric and synthesized, inspires a somewhat reminiscent aura of the early Weather Report at its best. Honzak bass is always at the very core of the music, leading it steadily and keeping things in perfect balance. Honzak proves again his versatility as a composer and arranger, capable of playing around with moods and emotions, like only very few other musicians can, always preserving his aesthetic integrity, regardless of the stylistic proximity of the music at hand. The arrangements of the AbbaFind albums by this artist song “Dancing Queen” or the electronics / house hit “Poor Leno” by RöyksoppFind albums by this artist are a schoolbook example of his ability to play with the original melody like it was made of plasteline. Overall this is another superb album in Honzak’s impressive discography, which never ceases to amaze, surprise and delight. Wholeheartedly recommended!

Updated: 24/02/2021Posted: 23/02/2021

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TIBURTINA ENSEMBLE / DAVID DORUZKA TRIO ~ APOKALIPSIS ANIMAL MUSIC 041 (Barcode: 8594155997053) ~ CZECH REPUBLIC ~ Jazz-Classical Fusion Recorded: 2013 Released: 2013 This is an album by Czech female vocal septet called Tiburtina EnsembleFind albums by this artist, directed by Barbora SojkovaFind albums by this artist, and Czech Jazz guitarist David DoruzkaFind albums by this artist and his trio with saxophonist / bass clarinetist Marcel BartaFind albums by this artist and drummer Martin NovakFind albums by this artist. The album presents eighteen tracks recorded at the Zvikov Castle, which combine medieval music, mostly from the early fourteenth Century Las Huelgas Codex from Spain, based on Biblical texts (mostly the Book of Revelation or Apocalypse of St. John – hence the title) and contemporary improvisations by the trio led by Doruzka. The audacious attempt to bridge the almost Millennium long chasm, not only musical but also cultural and even spiritual, seems at first completely unimaginable, but this album proves that music is indeed timeless and the musicians are able to create an amalgam, which ignores the a.m. disparities. The original medieval vocal music is performed almost "untouched", in all its glory and divinity. The individual voices of the ensemble members as well as the choir parts are absolutely stunning, which is hardly surprising considering the Tiburtina Ensemble´s well earned reputation. However, the improvised parts by Doruzka and his cohorts are even more shocking, since their contemporary form and sound differs as totally as humanly possible from the medieval music, and yet are able to create a mystical bond between the two. Symbolically, like in the Book of Revelation, where the Good eventually triumphs over Evil, here the great stylistic division manages to be conquered by human ingenuity and love of music. Obviously this is no ordinary music, and it demands from the listener a complete submission to the overall sonic experience. Cultural background and knowledge of music history can be helpful, but is not necessary in order to absorb this wonderful and very potent offering, absolutely worth of every bit of effort needed to fully enjoy it. This is one of the most profound musical projects that try to bring medieval music into contemporary musical environment that I ever encountered, and as such it deserves a special praise, in addition to the wonderful sound recording and highly aesthetic packaging, all of which speak volumes of the Czech Culture and love of music and tradition. Kudus to all the people involved in this project and of course a warmest recommendation to all true music connoisseurs to get a copy ASAP. Hats off!

Updated: 16/10/2020Posted: 16/10/2020

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VERTIGO ~ DALEKO ANIMAL MUSIC 081 (Barcode: 8594155999545) ~ CZECH REPUBLIC ~ Jazz Recorded: 2019 Released: 2019 This is the seventh album by Czech / Slovak Jazz ensemble VertigoFind albums by this artist, which comprises of saxophonist / clarinetist / vocalist Marcel BartaFind albums by this artist, trumpeter / vocalist Oskar TorokFind albums by this artist, cellist / vocalist Dorota BarovaFind albums by this artist, keyboardist Vojtech ProchazkaFind albums by this artist, bassist Rastislav UhrikFind albums by this artist and drummer Daniel SoltisFind albums by this artist. The album presents eleven original compositions; five by Barta, three by Prochazka and one each by Barova (with her lyrics), Torok (with lyrics by Slovak poet Ivan KraskoFind albums by this artist) and Soltis. The music is a highly interesting mixture of contemporary Jazz, Chamber Classical music and some Fusion elements, a wonderfully weird, almost Zappaesque concoction, which offers a superb balance of composed and improvised music and should leave no open-minded listener indifferent. Since I am exposed on a daily basis to huge quantities of new music, it is not surprising that it is very difficult to surprise me ;) However this music is definitely a breath of fresh air with its chutzpah and seemingly complete disregard of conventionalism or populism. As a result the listener gets exposed to something different with each track on the album and yet the entire continuity preserves an aesthetic coherence, despite the diversity. The modus operandi of the ensemble is definitely focused on group performance, with the soloing being rather secondary, which does not however limit the superb individual contributions by all the members, which can be distinctly heard by an attentive listener. The intense ensemble sound dominates the proceedings and interestingly the usage of the human voices as instruments empowers the total result and adds another dimension. This music might require more than one listening session in order to penetrate the complexity and intricacy, but is definitely worth the effort. Personally it´s time for me to dig into the earlier recordings by the group, which are hopefully bearing gifts of the same nature. Overall this is a heck of an album, completely innovative and stunning by its chest of musical treasures, which is wholeheartedly recommended. My respect towards Czech / Slovak Jazz is well justified again and if you are bored by the mundane Jazz albums that clutter our life, this is definitely a fountain of youth ;) Enjoy and well done people (of the universe without plastic)!

Updated: 12/10/2020Posted: 12/10/2020

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VERTIGO ~ NIC ANIMAL MUSIC 107 (Barcode: 8594211850100) ~ CZECH REPUBLIC ~ Avant-Garde Jazz Recorded: 2022 Released: 2022 This is the eighth album by Czech / Slovak Jazz ensemble VertigoFind albums by this artist, which comprises of saxophonist Marcel BartaFind albums by this artist, trumpeter Oskar TorokFind albums by this artist, cellist Dorota BarovaFind albums by this artist, keyboardist Vojtech ProchazkaFind albums by this artist, bassist Rastislav UhrikFind albums by this artist and drummer Daniel SoltisFind albums by this artist. The album presents fourteen original compositions; eight by Barta, two by Prochazka, one by Uhrik and three collective improvisations. The music was recorded at the Sono Records studio and engineered by Milan CimfeFind albums by this artist, with the usual stunning sound quality. The music is a sublime amalgam of cross-genre explorations, including contemporary Jazz, Chamber Classical Music, some Rock / Fusion elements and everything in between, completely shunning any simplistic definitions. Perfectly melodic at one moment, it becomes almost Improvised Music at the next, taking the listener on a see-saw journey of epic proportions. This music remains definitely a breath of fresh air with its chutzpah and seemingly complete disregard of conventionalism or populism. As a result, the listener gets exposed to something different with each track on the album and yet the entire continuity preserves an aesthetic coherence, despite the diversity. The emphasis on creating an ensemble sound rather than featuring expressive soloing is typical of contemporary European music, and Vertigo functions perfectly within that realm. The ominous title (“nothing” in English) reflects well the emptiness of the contemporary non-culture, which dominates our lives, and perhaps suggests how the void can be filled by something else, with a tinge of pessimism attached. Overall, this is a brilliant album from start to finish, which continues the Vertigo legacy, now twenty years in existence, filling our hearts with hope for the future. As long as European music has ensembles like Vertigo creating music, not all is lost. This album is well beyond recommendation; it is an absolute must to every true music connoisseur anywhere on this planet, as are in fact all their earlier recordings. This is bloodcurdling (in the best meaning of the word) stuff!

Updated: 05/10/2022Posted: 05/10/2022

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