Record Reviews

JUNGLE: MAT WALERIAN / MATTHEW SHIPP / HAMID DRAKE ~ LIVE AT OKUDEN ESP 5009 (Barcode: 825481500920) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 2012 Released: 2016 This is the second album by Polish (resident in the US) Jazz saxophonist / flautist / composer Mat WalerianFind albums by this artist, recorded live, this time in a trio format with veteran heroes: pianist Matthew ShippFind albums by this artist and drummer Hamid DrakeFind albums by this artist. Same as the debut release a year earlier, the music was recorded during the Okuden Music Concert Series in 2012 and was released by the legendary ESP label. The 2CD set presents thirteen pieces, nine of which were composed by Walerian, one is a traditional tune, one was co-composed by Shipp and Drake and the remaining two were co-composed by all three members of the trio. Walerian´s debut was one of the strongest album releases of last year (2015) and this follow up is certainly another worthy contestant for this year´s top of the crop. Almost out of nowhere Walerian emerges as one of the most versatile and virtuosic players in the Free Jazz / Improvised Music genre. His rapport with the genre´s veterans, Shipp and Drake, is almost hard to believe and sounds as if they have been playing together for ages. His ability to create a wide range of atmospheres and moods, his usage of a range of instruments and last but not least his ability to write subtle melodic lines, which than serve as vehicles for collective improvisation is nothing short of extraordinary. The music, although obviously free spirited and unbounded, is also surprisingly calm and relaxed, and always carries a melodic subtext, which makes it easy to follow by the listener. This dichotomy between intellectual freedom of creation and aesthetic oneness creates a wonderful tension, which lifts this music way above the "usual" free form musical encounters, which often propose nothing but weirdness. This wonderful music is simply beautiful as music, regardless of the way it is delivered. Of course a trio recording is above all a joint venture between the trio members, which in this case works out like a dream. Shipp and Drake must be admired for their deliberate restrain and amicable attitude, which allows Walerian to present his often delicate statements without disturbance. Shipp´s supportive chord structures allow Walerian to spread his wings and blow his heart out, having a steady and reliable basis behind him. In many respects this is similar to McCoy TynerFind albums by this artist´s playing behind John ColtraneFind albums by this artist during the heydays of the Quartet. Drake, who can be a very powerful and dominant drummer, also limits his creative support to supporting the music´s rhythmic layer, ornamenting it rather than leading it. Overall the collective effort is simply perfect for this outstanding piece of music. As already stated, this album is definitely one of the strongest statements released so far this year and a wonderful example of contemporary Art of music, a manifestation of human ingenuity and talent of rare significance. Obviously this album deserves to be heard by as many music connoisseurs as possible, who will be blessed by its significance if let into their hearts.

Updated: 30/05/2017Posted: 27/04/2016

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ROSCOE MITCHELL ~ THE COMPLETE REMASTERED RECORDINGS ON BLACK SAINT & SOUL NOTE CAM JAZZ 1036 (Barcode: 8052405141835) ~ USA ~ Free Jazz / Improvised Music Recorded: 1977 - 1995 Released: 2015 This superb Box Set collects recordings by the legendary American saxophonist / composer Roscoe MitchellFind albums by this artist released on the Black SaintFind albums on this label and Soul NoteFind albums on this label labels. It includes nine albums, two of which are duets: "Duets And SolosFind albums with this title" (*) with pianist Muhal Richard AbramsFind albums by this artist and "The Italian ConcertFind albums with this title" with pianist Borah BergmanFind albums by this artist. The album "Shadowgraph, 5 (Sextet)Find albums with this title" (*), released under the name of trombonist / composer George LewisFind albums by this artist and presenting music composed by him, features Mitchell playing on two tracks. The album "SpihumonestyFind albums with this title" (*) released under the name of keyboardist / composer Muhal Richard Abrams and presenting music composed by him, features Mitchell playing on all tracks. The remaining five albums: "3 x 4 EyeFind albums with this title", "The Sound And Space EnsemblesFind albums with this title", "The Flow Of ThingsFind albums with this title", "Live At Knitting FactoryFind albums with this title" and "This Dance Is For Steve McCallFind albums with this title" present various ensembles led by Mitchell, which include notable American improvisers of the period, including guitarist A. Spencer BarefieldFind albums by this artist, trumpeters Hugh RaginFind albums by this artist and Mike MossmanFind albums by this artist, bassist Jaribu ShahidFind albums by this artist, Malachi FavorsFind albums by this artist and William ParkerFind albums by this artist, drummers Tani TibalFind albums by this artist, Steve McCallFind albums by this artist and Vincent DavisFind albums by this artist, saxophonist Gerald OshitaFind albums by this artist, pianists Jodie ChristianFind albums by this artist and Matthew ShippFind albums by this artist and vocalist Tom BucknerFind albums by this artist. All the music (except one track) on these last five albums was composed by Mitchell. Mitchell is best known as one of the founders of the original AACMFind albums by this artist in Chicago in 1965 and then as the founder of The Art Ensemble Of ChicagoFind albums by this artist with Lester BowieFind albums by this artist, Favors, Joseph JarmanFind albums by this artist and later also Don MoyeFind albums by this artist. He was a prolific recording artist, with an impressive list of albums to his credit, both under his name and as a member of the AEOC. These recordings are all excellent examples of his work, which is a completely unique combination of Free Jazz and Improvised Music. His "wall of sound" saxophone technique is a direct continuation of the early American Avant-Garde legacy of Albert AylerFind albums by this artist, Eric DolphyFind albums by this artist and John ColtraneFind albums by this artist. The music is absolutely brilliant and fascinating and connoisseurs of Free Jazz / Improvised Music / Avant-Garde will find it obviously essential. This is definitely an important document of the American Free Jazz movement, which deserves to be preserved for posterity and which should serve as a source if inspiration to the young generation of contemporary Free Jazz artists. The albums marked with (*) were also included in other Box Sets of this series. Side Note The Italian independent record label Black SaintFind albums on this label was founded by the music critic / author / producer Giacomo PellicciottiFind albums by this artist in 1975. It was taken over by the producer Giovanni BonandriniFind albums by this artist in 1978 and a year later (1979) a sister label, called Soul NoteFind albums on this label, was established. The twin labels were run by Giovanni and later his son Flavio BonandriniFind albums by this artist, until they were sold in 2008 to the Italian KEPACH Music Group, which already owned the CAM JazzFind albums on this label label, and which also bought another Italian independent record label Dischi Della QuerciaFind albums on this label. The mission of the Black Saint / Soul Note labels was to record and document the Free Jazz / Improvised Music / Avant-Garde scene, mostly from the US but also from Europe, which continued between mid 1970s and late 1990s and produced a staggering collection of almost 550 albums recorded by world's most important Jazz innovators active at the time, providing an opportunity to American (mostly Afro-American) musicians, who would have never managed to make these recordings at home, ridden by racism, alienation and closed-mindedness. Without these two labels most of this fantastic human creativity would have been never documented. However, the Black Saint / Soul Note Box Sets produced under the CAM JazzFind albums on this label moniker are an archetypal example of how good intentions turn sour. Although these new editions often bring back to life some of the best music ever made on this planet, which in many cases has been lost in the tides of time and was unavailable on the market for ages, they suffer from an unforgivable disregard to the essence of cultural values and general sloppiness, contrary to human decency, which requires us to treat our cultural legacy with respect and loyalty. These Box Sets have no booklet which presents researched historical background and exact discographical information of the albums included, and most importantly an overview of the music and its meaning and contribution to the Jazz Art form. Although the original LP sleeves are reproduced, the information is in most cases too small to be readable at all. In short the fact that these Box Sets are meant to be inexpensive, does not mean that they have to be cheap!

Updated: 05/05/2020Posted: 25/04/2020

CD 9 Mini-Sleeve Box Set Remastered Recommend To A Friend

OKUDEN: MAT WALERIAN / MATTHEW SHIPP / WILLIAM PARKER / HAMID DRAKE ~ EVERY DOG HAS ITS DAY BUT IT DOESN`T MATTER BECAUSE FAT CAT IS GETTING FATTER ESP 5037 (Barcode: 825481503723) ~ POLAND ~ Free Jazz / Improvised Music Recorded: 2018 Released: 2020 This is the fourth album by Polish (resident in NY) Jazz multi-instrumentalist / composer Mat WalerianFind albums by this artist, released by the reanimated legendary NY ESPFind albums on this label label. The lineup, under the OkudenFind albums by this artist moniker, is expanded to a quartet and includes all three musicians who took part in the three previous recordings: pianist Matthew ShippFind albums by this artist, bassist William ParkerFind albums by this artist and drummer Hamid DrakeFind albums by this artist – icons of the American Free Jazz / Improvised Music scene. The 2CD album presents six (one a three-part piece) original compositions, all by Walerian. The music, recorded during one session, is an archetypal example of a metaphysical conversation between experienced musicians, which moves freely from subject to subject, in perfect coherence and mutual respect. Although Walerian sets the tone and direction, ever so gently, moving between the saxophone, clarinets and flute, the rest of the quartet follows suit fluidly and the musicians add their input to the conversation with elegance and remarkable aptitude. Despite the “usual” aggressive atmosphere associated with Improvised Music, this recording offers a completely calm and orderly fashion of mutual exchange and development of ideas, relaxed cooperation and as strange as it might sound results in “pleasant” aural vistas, certainly not what one would expect from these musicians. Walerian proves to be not only an excellent catalyst, but also an anodyne. As a result, the music offers a remarkable calmness and ease, without any compromise whatsoever of the complexity and quality of the music. Overall this is definitely the strongest and most mature statement by Walerian so far and brings on a true satisfaction to see a Polish Jazz musician perform with esteemed American partners without any inferiority complex. It must be said that as far as Shipp, Parker and Drake are concerned, this is also some of the best work they recorded, and they all have an extensive recording legacy to their credit. In many respects this album is much better and more interesting than many Free Jazz / Improvising Music albums released in Poland lately, where this idiom seems to be lost wondering in the desert and devoid of clear musical / spiritual leadership, with many of the original Avant-Gardists being no longer with us. This album is warmly recommended to all listeners of Free Spirited Jazz music anywhere and definitely worth the effort of searching out a copy, which will be rewarded by a couple of hours of highly aesthetic and spiritual experience.

Updated: 07/03/2021Posted: 07/03/2021

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SPRING HEEL JACK ~ AMASSED THIRSTY EAR 57123 (Barcode: 700435712324) ~ UK ~ Free Jazz / Improvised Music Recorded: 2002 Released: 2002 This is an album by British electronic music duo Spring Heel JackFind albums by this artist, consisting of John CoxonFind albums by this artist and Ashley WalesFind albums by this artist. Following the release of three Drum & Bass albums in the 1990s, the duo switched their musical direction and with the turn of the Millennium released a series of recordings made with international group of Free Jazz / Avant-Garde musicians, like those appearing on this album: British saxophonist Evan ParkerFind albums by this artist, trombonist Paul RutherfordFind albums by this artist, trumpeter Kenny WheelerFind albums by this artist and bassists John EdwardsFind albums by this artist and George TrebarFind albums by this artist, American pianist Matthew ShippFind albums by this artist, Dutch drummer Han BenninkFind albums by this artist and others. The album presents eight original compositions co-composed by the participating musicians. The music is as experimental and weird as one might expect from the above lineup, which of course is something some of us love dearly ;) Long improvisations and intimate conversations between these wonderful musicians are always worth listening to and honestly the electronic music elements by the duo are not really significant here, more like background and general ornamentation. The music is very serene and held back, offering a multitude of wonderful soli, in particular those by Evans and Wheeler, which are nothing short of spectacular. The musicians form duos, trios, quartets and a constantly changing lineup, which offers not one dull moment for the duration. The overall atmosphere of freedom and lack of boundaries contributes greatly to the creative powers of the participants and the result is really surprising. For British Free Jazz / Improvised Music enthusiasts this album, which they are most probably nor aware of its existence, is a treasure chest of great discoveries and something definitely worth checking out, well deserving a place in their record collections. Apparently this album is still available, so grab a copy as long as those last. Overall this is a little known gem, which is definitely a great surprise!

Updated: 14/10/2020Posted: 14/10/2020

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TOXIC: MAT WALERIAN / MATTHEW SHIPP / WILLIAM PARKER ~ THIS IS BEAUTIFUL BECAUSE WE ARE BEAUTIFUL PEOPLE ESP 5011 (Barcode: 825481501125) ~ POLAND ~ Free Jazz / Improvised Music Recorded: 2015 Released: 2017 This is the third album by Polish (resident in NY) Jazz multi-instrumentalist / composer Mat WalerianFind albums by this artist, released by the reanimated legendary NY ESPFind albums on this label label. As on both previous recordings, he is in the great company of pianist / composer Matthew ShippFind albums by this artist and for the first time also the legendary Avant-Garde bassist William ParkerFind albums by this artist. The trio chose the ToxicFind albums by this artist moniker for this album, which presents five original compositions, two by Walerian, two co-composed by all three trio members and one co-composed by Walerian and Parker. Walerian seems to have found a niche on the NY Avant-Garde scene, where he is respected by fellow American musicians, who take part in his projects. His obvious talents and diverse musical facets, which Walerian presents while playing an array of instruments, allow him to create minimalistic introvert music, which is rich in its sound palette and emotional scale, like very few other contemporary Avant-Garde projects. Whether he plays flute, clarinets or saxophone, Walerian is always beautifully focused and intrinsically melodic, which enables him to develop a very tight interaction with his listeners, being completely nonaggressive and always profoundly focused. From the first notes on this album, which starts with a flute / shakuhachi (played by Parker) duet, the meditative nature of the music is set forward, and although later on it does become more expressive and emotional, it stays within the same frame of mind. The album features a constantly changing lineup of solo, duo and trio parts, which follow each other naturally as the music develops. Although the music does not follow concrete melody lines as such, the improvisations are full of melody fragments, spontaneously created on the fly. The level of interplay between the trio members is phenomenal and they often function like one body / one mind in spite of their individual personalities. All three musicians get plenty of opportunity to solo extensively, but it is the communal effort, which is truly the focus of this music. Walerian plays fluently, as always, with great technical skill on all the instruments, but more importantly he is able to create a constant musical plane, which is then stretched and supported by his cohorts. This is Improvised Music at its best, which can be listened to time and time again, every time with new discoveries at hand. I have actually listened to this music three times in a row, each time concentrating my attention on one player, and only later listened to it as a whole; quite a journey of discovery it was. It is great to have a Polish expatriate at the heart of the NY Avant-Garde scene and I hope more Polish musicians will follow in that direction, not only to learn, but perhaps even more importantly to teach other musicians what Avant-Garde really means. This is definitely another triumphant achievement by Walerian and his partners. Both Shipp and Parker have of course prolific careers of their own, but hopefully they will find time in the future to rejoin Walerian in another project. As usual, I am already waiting for more!

Updated: 12/04/2019Posted: 30/05/2017

CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend

UPPERCUT: MATHEW SHIPP / MAT WALERIAN DUO ~ LIVE AT OKUDEN ESP 5007 (Barcode: 825481500722) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 2012 Released: 2015 This wonderful album presents a live recording by a duo comprising of American pianist / composer Matthew ShippFind albums by this artist, one of the most important contemporary American Avant-Garde activists, with multi-instrumentalist / composer Mat WalerianFind albums by this artist, a Polish musician resident in the US, who plays saxophone, clarinet and flute. The album was released on the legendary NY label ESPFind albums on this label, one of the most important independent record labels in the history of Avant-Garde Jazz and Rock, founded in 1963 by a Jewish lawyer Bernard StollmanFind albums by this artist (who sadly died just three weeks ago) and its catalogue included some of the most important music recorded in America (and also sporadically in Europe) in the 1960s. The label stopped its activity in 1975 and was dormant for thirty years, resuming activity in 2005 and since releasing many new recordings, such as this one. This album presents ten compositions, six of which were composed by Walerian and four co-composed by Shipp and Walerian. The music is incredibly fresh and inviting, and although it is definitely free spirited and highly improvised, it also offers a strong melodic content, which makes it accessible to a much wider audiences than the usual Avant-Garde recordings, which can be self-centered and sound cold to listeners. This album is a rare and beautiful example of Avant-Garde music, which transfers well to record, retaining its spirit and intimacy, which is often present live but gets lost when turned into a record. There is a rare and almost telepathic dialogue between the two musicians, exchanging phrases, notes and rhythmic gestures between them, as if those were rehearsed or preconceived, which is pretty rare. Both musicians play gently and cooperatively, avoiding any power struggles which often characterize duo recordings. This music is fully harmonious and inspirational, a true example of the "Art of the Duo" idea. The musical qualities of Shipp are of course no secret to the follower of his outstanding career, but Walerian emerges triumphantly as a virtuoso performer, with original ideas and a complete command of his instruments. His playing on this album immediately earns him respect and admiration from connoisseurs of the genre and of course anticipation for his new projects. Overall this is one of the best Avant-Garde albums I listened to lately, which deserves all the praise it can get and hopefully will reach as many open minded listeners as possible. An absolute delight!

Updated: 12/04/2019Posted:

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