Record Reviews

MARTIN BRUNNER BAND ~ LEVELS OF LIFE ANIMAL MUSIC 080 (Barcode: 8594155999538) ~ CZECH REPUBLIC ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion Recorded: 2019 Released: 2019 This is the fifth album by the Czech Jazz pianist / composer Martin BrunnerFind albums by this artist and his first recording with the quartet called Martin Brunner BandFind albums by this artist, which also includes guitarist Tomas FuchsFind albums by this artist, Slovak bassist Rastislav UhrikFind albums by this artist and drummer Roman VichaFind albums by this artist. The album presents nine original compositions by Brunner, but on the album’s artwork the composer gives credit to the other members of the band for shaping the final arrangements of these compositions. The music was excellently recorded at the SONO Records studio and engineered by Milan CimfeFind albums by this artist. Brunner is a member of the composers’ collective The Prague SixFind albums by this artist (see Concept Art OrchestraFind albums by this artist) and collaborated with many other musicians on the local scene in various genres. He is considered as one of the leading young composers in the Czech Republic. His previous four albums as a leader were recorded with a piano trio (or in one case piano trio and string quartet) and are all excellent. This album finds Brunner in a completely new musical environment, playing contemporary Fusion (for a lack of better definition), which offers a set of wonderful compositions performed with a Rocky attitude. But the music is quite different from what most listeners consider as Fusion these days, since it is way more ambitious and sophisticated than the usual contemporary Fusion doodling. Brunner plays a lot of acoustic piano (which is already unusual for a Fusion album) and an analog synthesizer and the guitarist uses a plethora of different sounds, eschewing unnecessary boring long solos. The rhythm section is also superb, playing excellent polyrhythms and odd times with ease and elegance. The bass adds a wonderful basis for the entire sound, and although soloes sparingly, his playing is absolutely virtuosic. Overall this music is simply ravishing from start to finish, fondly reminiscent of the early days of Fusion, when the music was truly innovative and challenging, setting new rules of what was possible within the symbiosis of Jazz and Rock. Brunner’s compositions are full of unexpected turns and twists, which keeps the listener in check for the duration. For all appreciative Fusion lovers, especially those of the older generation, who remember the idiom at its prime and the younger, who wish to learn how it can be done at its best, this album is an absolute must. Hats off!

Updated: 27/02/2021Posted: 27/02/2021

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CONCEPT ART ORCHESTRA ~ 100 YEARS ANIMAL MUSIC 091 (Barcode: 8594155998791) ~ CZECH REPUBLIC ~ Big Band Jazz Recorded: 2020 Released: 2020 This is the fifth album by the Czech Big Band called Concept Art OrchestraFind albums by this artist, founded in 2010 and led by trumpeter / composer Stepanka BalcarovaFind albums by this artist. As the title suggests, this is a project commemorating the Centennial of the modern Czech State founded in 1918 following the end of WW I. The album presents a six-part suite, each part dedicated to one of the six periods signifying the development over time of the convoluted history of Czechoslovakia / Czech Republic between 1918 and 2018. Each of the six parts includes short archival recordings of speeches by relevant historic personalities and other sounds. All the music was composed by members of a group of six Czech composers, called collectively The Prague SixFind albums by this artist: Balcarova, saxophonist Lubos SoukupFind albums by this artist, pianist Vit KristanFind albums by this artist, keyboardist Martin BrunnerFind albums by this artist, trombonist Jan JiruchaFind albums by this artist and pianist Tomas SykoraFind albums by this artist, all of which also play on the album, two as guests. The Big Band, conducted by Balcarova, includes eighteen players with the obvious saxophone, trumpet, trombone and rhythm sections. Six guests play on selected tracks. The music was beautifully recorded and offers a magnificently rich Big Band sound. As all the earlier albums by the CAO, the music is skillfully and intelligently woven and superbly executed by the Big Band members. It epitomizes the concept and sound of the European Jazz Big Band tradition, which although based on the American Jazz Big Band tradition to some extent, expands the traditional roles of the sections and their mutual relationships and offers more challenging arrangements and aural versatility. The music emphasizes the Big Band sound, which functions like one organic body and even the individual soloing is also kept as naturally solidified with the overall sound as possible. There is no doubt that the CAO is today one of the most ambitious and productive Big Bands active on the European scene, with a strong conceptual base of resident composers, brilliant instrumentalist and dedicated leadership, superbly implemented by Balcarova. This album is a schoolbook example of the intellectual capacity invested into a musical project, which not only works to the full effect, but also educates and sets an incredibly high standard to follow. On a personal note, I was deeply moved by this album since between my Father and myself we took part and observed those hundred years of Czech history up close. My Father studied engineering in Brno in the 1930s, since he was not allowed to study in his native Poland as a Jew. He had many Czech friends during his studies and sadly returned to Czechoslovakia as a prisoner of the Theresienstadt Concentration Camp. After leaving Poland in 1967, I remember the ecstasy of the Prague Spring and the horror of the Invasion, the Velvet Revolution and my meetings with President Vaclav HavelFind albums by this artist during the dark days in prison and the happy days in the Prague Castle. His love of music and Jazz in particular strengthened our bond. Hearing his voice on this album was profoundly poignant. My thanks to all the people involved in creating this wonderful project!

Updated: 25/02/2021Posted: 25/02/2021

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CONCEPT ART ORCHESTRA ~ THE PRAGUE SIX ANIMAL MUSIC 049 (Barcode: 8594155990467) ~ CZECH REPUBLIC ~ Big Band Jazz Recorded: 2015 Released: 2015 This is the third album by the Czech Big Band / Orchestra called Concept Art OrchestraFind albums by this artist, founded in 2010 and led by trumpeter / composer Stepanka BalcarovaFind albums by this artist. The initial idea of the orchestra was to perform contemporary Czech music by various composers. After releasing a couple of albums the orchestra was dormant for a while, until Balcarova decided in 2014 to re-think the concept and established a group of six Czech composers, called collectively The Prague Six, who composed the original music performed on this album: six compositions, one each, by every member of the group: Balcarova, saxophonist Lubos SoukupFind albums by this artist, pianist Vit KristanFind albums by this artist, keyboardist Martin BrunnerFind albums by this artist, trombonist Jan JiruchaFind albums by this artist and pianist Tomas SykoraFind albums by this artist, four of them also play on the album. The orchestra, conducted by Balcarova, includes sixteen players with the obvious saxophone, trumpet, trombone and rhythm sections. The music was recorded at the SONO Records studio and engineered by Milan CimfeFind albums by this artist, with the usual splendid sound quality. The music presents a very diverse compositional palette, with all six pieces being beautifully weaved and arranged for the orchestra. The compositions vary in the degree of melody oriented contents, which in some cases in plainly stated and in others subtly disguised by the layers of sound. There are also different levels of complexity and energy involved, which results in the orchestra sound at one moment calm and minimalist and at other erupt with brawny display of the full power of a Big Bind. Although the compositions are quite different, the album offers a perfectly balanced and coherent excursion into the world of orchestral music, which constantly moves in and out of what the listeners might perceive as "Jazz", depending of their personal inclinations. The album is also a splendid example of the European approach to composing for Jazz Big Band / Orchestra, which dramatically varies from the accepted American approach, which is usually quite straightforward and structured, whereas here we can find a complete lack of any boundaries, except those dictated by aesthetics and lucidity, in addition to the sophistication and elegance of European musical tradition polished over the Centuries. Each of the six pieces offers opportunity for the orchestra members to solo, which they of course do most vividly. The orchestra as a whole performs superbly, showing the entire dynamic range from whisper to roar, which is unique to the Big Band idiom. Overall this is a breathtaking piece of music, not only for Big Band buffs, but also all other connoisseurs of orchestral music, which always amazes with its sheer power of expression. Highly recommended!

Updated: 29/10/2020Posted: 29/10/2020

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CONCEPT ART ORCHESTRA ~ VANOCE DOSPELYCH ANIMAL MUSIC 075 (Barcode: 8594155991617) ~ CZECH REPUBLIC ~ Xmas Jazz Recorded: 2018 Released: 2018 This is the fourth album by the Czech Big Band called Concept Art OrchestraFind albums by this artist, founded in 2010 and led by trumpeter / composer Stepanka BalcarovaFind albums by this artist. As the title suggests (Eng. "Xmas For The Grownups"), this is a Xmas Jazz project, but it is completely original and different from most such endeavors. The album presents nine pieces, three of which are traditional Xmas Carrols, one is a 17th Century Classical composition and five are original compositions, all composed or arranged by members of a group of six Czech composers, called collectively The Prague SixFind albums by this artist: Balcarova, saxophonist Lubos SoukupFind albums by this artist, pianist Vit KristanFind albums by this artist, keyboardist Martin BrunnerFind albums by this artist, trombonist Jan JiruchaFind albums by this artist and pianist Tomas SykoraFind albums by this artist, four of which also play on the album. The Big Band, conducted by Balcarova, includes eighteen players with the obvious saxophone, trumpet, trombone and rhythm sections. Three vocalists perform the lyrics (in Czech) to the five original pieces; written by Czech poets (Jan SkacelFind albums by this artist and Frana SramekFind albums by this artist) and other lyricists or in one case by Soukup, which also place this project in the proximity of the Jazz & Poetry idiom. The music is by far more Jazz oriented than other Xmas Jazz projects, with the full splendor of the Big Band dominating the proceedings. The compositions and the intricate arrangements create a multi-layered aural experience, in which the lyrics are just one aspect of the whole. The arrangements of the traditional Carrols and the Classical piece take them almost completely away from their original / usual environs, and are brilliant displays of the artistry of transposing music between genres, in this case sounding like Duke EllingtonFind albums by this artist´s standards rather than European folkloristic themes. And yet the Big Band manages to keep the Xmas Spirit of the music intact due to a highly creative sensibility. The three Carrols are placed in tandem, creating a sort of mini suite, standing somewhat apart from the original compositions, but still being an organic part of the entire project. Throughout the album the Big Band members get plenty of opportunity to solo and the performances as a whole are absolutely superb from start to finish. The Orchestra sounds collectively as one organic body and such level of mutual respect and cooperation is awe inspiring. The vocals are also splendidly executed, with obvious respect to both the text and the music. Even for non Czech speaking listeners these vocals are perfectly communicative, at least on the emotional level. Overall this is a superb piece of music, not only for Big Band buffs, but also all other connoisseurs of orchestral music, which always amazes with its sheer power of expression. For me it is definitely the most well rounded creation by the CAO and as such it is of course highly recommended. My sincere thanks to Stepanka Balcarova for sharing this music with me and I wish her many fruitful musical achievements in the future. Well done Milady and all the people who make Czech Jazz such a wonderful experience!

Updated: 06/11/2020Posted: 05/11/2020

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