Record Reviews

THEMROC 3 ~ ROCTHEM! WHYPLAYJAZZ 029 (Barcode: 4250459990391) ~ GERMANY ~ Jazz Recorded: 2015 Released: 2016 This is the debut album by the Berlin based trio Themroc 3Find albums by this artist, which consists of German clarinetist Benjamin WeidekampFind albums by this artist, Austrian trumpeter Richard KochFind albums by this artist and German drummer Michael GrienerFind albums by this artist. Although existing since 2002 the trio apparently did not make an album earlier. The album presents eight original compositions, four each by Weidekamp and Griener. The music of the trio is a refreshing mixture of Circus, Cabaret, and German brass music and of course Jazz elements, which is a pure delight from start to finish. The humorous and often arrogant / punkish attitude is all in good taste and makes the listeners simply to put a huge smile on their faces. But beneath the imaginary simplicity there is a deep layer of sophistication and clever inventiveness, which turns the seemingly simple elements into a fascinating puzzle. This is of course typically European music, which could not have been created anywhere but in Europe and Berlin in particular. Echoes of the 1920s Berlin nonchalance and intellectual mayhem are plainly audible in this music, and if Kurt WeillFind albums by this artist was alive today it is highly possible he would have loved to join the trio on stage. There is something liberating and mind-blowing about this music, which puts things in their right perspective. Fun is fun, humor is humor and life is life… I had to listen several times to this album before I was ready to make up my mind what to write. Its impact is so "right in your face" that only very few albums a year come even close to this effect. Therefore don´t judge this album after just one listening session; let it sink and simmer down before it hits you again, like an old wine getting better with every sip. Truly amazing stuff! Congrats to Roland SchulzFind albums by this artist for releasing this gem and his WhyPlayJazzFind albums on this label label for being a home to so many great recordings!

Updated: 20/09/2016Posted: 20/09/2016

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