Record Reviews

JEFF BALLARD ~ FAIRGROUNDS EDITION 1121 (Barcode: 5060509790524) ~ USA ~ Avant-Garde Jazz Recorded: 2015 Released: 2019 This is a live album by American drummer / composer Jeff BallardFind albums by this artist, recorded with his quintet during a European tour. The quintet also includes guitarist Lionel LouekeFind albums by this artist, keyboardists Kevin HaysFind albums by this artist and Peter RendeFind albums by this artist and Reid AndersonFind albums by this artist on electronics (rather than on bass as expected). Saxophonists Chris CheekFind albums by this artist and Mark TurnerFind albums by this artist guest on selected tracks. The album presents eleven original composition composed or co-composed by the participating musicians. The music offers an interesting mixture of atmospheric pieces, somewhere between Ambient, Jazz and World music, which creates a suspenseful listening experience. The unusual lineup with two keyboards and guitar offers often multi-layered structures, which demand intensive listening in order to be followed. The occasional vocals feel rather out of place, but thankfully those are rather marginal. Overall, this is quite an interesting album, which moves a bit chaotically between Avant-Garde and schmaltz, but for a team of American musicians this is way more ambitious than one might expect. Listeners familiar with the recordings by these musicians might find this album very surprising, as it hardly follows any patterns these musicians are usually associated with. With the vocals removed, this album might even border on excellent.

Updated: 12/10/2022Posted: 12/10/2022

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BILLY HART ~ ALL OUR REASONS ECM 2248 (Barcode: 602527866314) ~ USA ~ Jazz Recorded: 2011 Released: 2012 This is the debut album on the legendary ECMFind albums on this label label by veteran American drummer / composer Billy HartFind albums by this artist, who is one of the greatest drummers in Jazz history, although he is rarely mentioned by critics. He was a part of many pivotal Jazz recordings over the years with such great musicians as Wes MontgomeryFind albums by this artist, Herbie HancockFind albums by this artist, Stan GetzFind albums by this artist and of course Miles DavisFind albums by this artist. Unfortunately his recordings as a leader are relatively rare. This is the second album by his recent quartet, which includes saxophonist Mark TurnerFind albums by this artist, pianist Ethan IversonFind albums by this artist and bassist Ben StreetFind albums by this artist. Hart, Iverson and Turner all contribute compositions on this album and the quartet performs them with elegance and flair, which is usually identified with European Jazz, which is probably the reason behind ECM´s decision to include this music in their catalogue. This is modern Jazz at its best, firmly based in the tradition and expanding it towards new territory. Beautiful stuff!

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GILAD HEKSELMAN ~ HEARTS WIDE OPEN LE CHANT DU MONDE 2037 (Barcode: 3149024203725) ~ ISRAEL ~ Jazz Recorded: 2010 Released: 2011 This is the 3rd album by the sensational Israeli guitarist / composer Gilad HekselmanFind albums by this artist, who resides in NY since 2004, as do many other Israeli Jazz players. Hekselman quickly established himself as one of the top guitar players on the NY scene, a fact that is not a result of any publicity stunts but simply his incredible talent. With his tone very similar to early Pat MethenyFind albums by this artist, he is often compared to Metheny, but that kind of comparison is somewhat superficial. Hekselman is much more Jazz oriented than Metheny ever was in fact. Critics and more importantly fellow musicians agree unanimously that Hekselman was blessed with exceptional talent and his meteoric rise to fame is fully justified. This album, recorded with Hekselman´s regular trio: bassist Joe MartinFind albums by this artist and drummer Marcus GilmoreFind albums by this artist and with guest appearance on four tracks by saxophonist Mark TurnerFind albums by this artist, presents eight original compositions, which are all ideal vehicles for the leader´s display of his guitar magic, which is pretty amazing from start to finish. Clear, elegant, pure and melodic, his playing is always right on top of what is best for the music at any particular moment. Never clotted or overcrowded by too many notes, which usually plagues guitar players, he dances on his strings like leaves on a spring breeze, as if fingers and brain commands had nothing to do with it. But honestly, and most importantly, this is 100% unadulterated Jazz, free of any attempts whatsoever to become a neck-breaking Fusion trip, another plague of today´s guitar players. If this is what Hekselman is capable of at the tender age of 28, his future seems to be laid out for him on a golden path to stardom. Hopefully his head is not lost in the process. Hats off to you, Gilad and God Bless!

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ENRICO RAVA ~ NEW YORK DAYS ECM 2064 (Barcode: 602517727151) ~ ITALY ~ Jazz Recorded: 2008 Released: 2009 Italian trumpeter / composer Enrico RavaFind albums by this artist has been one of the leaders of European Jazz since several decades and his impressive and extensive recorded legacy is a source of inspiration and musical excellence. This album, recorded in NY, presents a set of new original compositions by Rava and was recorded with brilliant Italian pianist Stefano BollaniFind albums by this artist and American musicians: saxophonist Mark TurnerFind albums by this artist, bassist Larry GrenadierFind albums by this artist and drummer Paul MotianFind albums by this artist. Full of lyricism and typical European melodic frivolity, the album does not break any new ground, but is, as always in the case of Rava, a deeply aesthetic and uplifting listening experience. The music is somewhat minimalist and relaxed, but shouldn´t be mistaken as lifeless; it simply requires more attentive listening and a lot of experience to find and enjoy the tricks of the trade. A beautiful album, wholeheartedly recommended!

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