Record Reviews

BEAM ~ ONE MULTIKULTI MPJ 016 (Barcode: 5907796319802) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz-World Fusion Recorded: 2016 Released: 2017 This is the debut album by the BEAMFind albums by this artist quartet, led by Polish Jazz saxophonist Bartosz CzarnieckiFind albums by this artist, which also includes Polish bassist Michal NienadowskiFind albums by this artist and Danish guitarist Anna RoemerFind albums by this artist and drummer Emil ThorenfeldtFind albums by this artist. The album presents nine tracks, seven of which are original compositions, all by Czarniecki, and two are arrangement of Polish Folk tunes. The music is very unique and immediately strikingly different from most other contemporary young Jazz efforts. Although definitely Jazz oriented, it sounds like a Progressive Folk album, with a very strong tendency towards folklore music, this of course thanks to the superb compositions by the leader, but also as a result of a very unusual sound and balance between the instruments. Although the guitar is electric, the entire performance sounds completely acoustic and has a distinct retro ambience. The performances are beautifully minimalistic, with a lot of breathing space and silence between the notes. There is no rush or unnecessary urgency, which again is elegantly dissimilar from just about everything done these says. Obviously there is no competition between the players and the quartet´s leader leaves the spotlight to the guitar player, supporting her intelligently and balancing the overall result just right, and playing just a few wonderful solos himself. The duo performs closely together, with perfect harmony and close comradeship. The rhythm section carries the music amicably and steadily throughout and keeps also respectfully in the background not dominating the proceedings, which is exactly what is needed in this case. Overall this is a remarkable debut album, which manages to present an original approach to Jazz, soaked with folksy melancholy, creating a coherent, aesthetically solid piece of music. Full of beautiful melodic statements and inspired improvisations, and at the same time keeping things at a minimal level of unnecessary complexity, as the "more is less" approach advocates. I am already anxious to hear their next album. Definitely not to be missed!

Updated: 21/09/2017Posted: 21/09/2017

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RASMUS HENRIKSEN OCTET ~ FORTOLKER HERMAN BANG GATEWAY RHBB 02 (Barcode: 5707471055762) ~ DENMARK ~ Jazz & Poetry Recorded: 2012 - 2014 Released: 2018 This is the second album by Danish Jazz trombonist / composer / arranger / bandleader Rasmus HenriksenFind albums by this artist, this time recorded in an octet setting with musicians associated with the Odense Music Academy, including two Polish participants: guitarist Lukasz BorowickiFind albums by this artist and bassist Michal NienadowskiFind albums by this artist. The octet also includes vocalist Amanda LagoniFind albums by this artist. The album presents nine original compositions by Henriksen, which are based on poems by the Danish poet Herman BangFind albums by this artist, which together construct a suite of two three-part cycles, separated by another three poems serving as prelude, entr´acte and epilogue. As such this is of course a splendid example of the Jazz & Poetry idiom. The music is beautifully lyrical and melancholic, with a strong Nordic tinge, flowing gently from one melody to another, perfectly matched together. The arrangements are classic big ensemble Jazz formats, featuring the vocals in the centre of the attention, but allowing short instrumental soli to appear as well. Sadly the lyrics in Danish are accessible only to listeners who understand the language, but even if one is not a native Danish speaker, the vocal parts are still impressive in their melodic / theatrical delivery. The performances are all perfect and although executed by student, under the watchful supervision of Henriksen they are simply excellent. Overall this is a very delicate and wonderfully put together project that offers the essence of Scandinavian / European Jazz, which is highly aesthetic and intelligent and combines music and poetry in order to enhance the splendor of both these elements of Art. Warmly recommended!

Updated: 22/02/2019Posted: 22/02/2019

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