Record Reviews

TOMS RUDZINSKIS ~ ABYSS NOT ON LABEL (Barcode: 198026345301) ~ LATVIA ~ Jazz Recorded: 2019 - 2021 Released: 2023 This is an album by Latvian saxophonist / composer Toms RudzinskisFind albums by this artist, recorded in a sextet setting, which includes young European Jazz musicians, all resident in Berlin: Ukrainian guitarist Igor OsypovFind albums by this artist, Swedish keyboardist Povel WidestrandFind albums by this artist, German bass guitarist Tom BerkmannFind albums by this artist and drummer Fabian RoschFind albums by this artist and Danish vocalist Mette Nadja HansenFind albums by this artist. The album presents thirteen tracks, all composed by the leader. The music is beautifully melodic modern Jazz, with a slight Fusiony sound due to the electric keyboards / guitar / bass sound, but does not cross over to the repetitious Fusion doodling, which really saves the day. The music is coherent and offers a captivating continuity, which offers the listener a pleasant and diverse sonic journey. Rudzinskis is an excellent saxophone player and his soloing dominates the proceedings, but all the rest of the crew also offer splendid contributions. The vocalese by Hansen adds a nice sonic enhancement to the proceedings, but she also sings lyrics splendidly. I am aware of the earlier recordings by Osypov as a leader, and his work herein is way more mature and impressive, showing considerable progress. Overall, this is a pleasant and interesting album, which should be enjoyed by Jazz and Fusion listeners alike, a nice document of the thriving young Berlin scene, which draws many European Jazz musicians to settle there, at least for a while. It is fresh and full of interesting musical ideas, and as such warmly recommended.

Updated: 17/08/2024Posted: 17/08/2024

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