Record Reviews

STOFFNER / LOVENS/ MAHALL ~ MEIN FREUND DER BAUM WIDE EAR 032 (Barcode: 7640172461921) ~ SWITZERLAND ~ Free Jazz / Improvised Music Recorded: 2016 Released: 2017 This is an album by the European Improvising Music trio comprising of Swiss guitarist Florian StoffnerFind albums by this artist and German drummer Paul LovensFind albums by this artist and clarinetist Rudi MahallFind albums by this artist. The album presents four tracks with improvised music credited to the trio members. The music is typical of European Avant-Garde, which creates numerous opportunities for musicians form different countries to play together and try to find a common langue, like in this case. The question always arises if this language is understandable or emotionally relevant to people outside of the circle of participants in the conversation. In cases like this one, where there is completely no melody, harmony or rhythm in the conventional sense, the contact is extremely limited to a miniscule group of Improvised Music enthusiasts. But Artistic freedom and the search for new forms of expression is a Holy Grail of Culture and therefore regardless of how detached or unconventional the music might be, it is always relevant by the very reason that it was created, recorded and released on record, i.e. being part of a process of documenting the endless diversity of human communication via music. Listeners interested in the European Improvised Music will of course be familiar with Mahall and Lovens, who are veterans of the genre and are both highly regarded. Stoffner is perhaps a less familiar, but he stands shoulder to shoulder with his partners on this album, contributing on an equal level. The trio manages to create a wide spectrum of intensity, dynamics and sonic elements, which keeps the listener on his toes. Overall this is a difficult but interesting effort, which is worth investigating by Improvised Music followers, obviously requiring an open-minded attitude by the listeners.

Updated: 12/04/2019Posted: 01/03/2018

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AKI TAKASE ~ PLAYS FATS WALLER ENJA 9152 (Barcode: 767522915228) ~ JAPAN ~ Free Jazz / Improvised Music Recorded: 2003 Released: 2004 This is an album by Japanese (resident in Germany) pianist / composer Aki TakaseFind albums by this artist, recorded with an excellent team of German musicians: bass clarinetist Rudi MahalFind albums by this artist, trombonist Nils WogramFind albums by this artist, trumpeter Thomas HebererFind albums by this artist, drummer Paul LovensFind albums by this artist and American vocalist / banjoist / guitarist Eugene ChadbourneFind albums by this artist. The album presents fifteen, mostly short tracks, and as the title suggests most of which were composed by the great American pianist / composer Fats WallerFind albums by this artist, with six original compositions by Takase also included. The music moves constantly between the Stride Jazz, associated with Waller, and the completely modern / Free Jazz, which is the usual modus operandi of the musicians playing on the album, creating a wonderful stylistic see-saw and a brilliant musical experience. People expecting to hear here straightforward interpretation of Harlem Jazz from the 1920s and 1930s are in for a real big surprise ;) Takase transforms Waller’s smoothly into the 21st Century, ignoring stylistic constrains and seeming “ignoring” the traditions, but of course a trained ear easily hears the genius involved. It’s not a coincidence that Takase has been one of my all-time favorite pianist and bandleaders, and this album is a perfect example of her super-human abilities. Obviously it takes some intellectual effort to recognize the manipulations applied to the original compositions and the transformation path they go through herein, but the satisfaction is absolutely guaranteed. Overall, this is a brilliant example of Takase’s genius, and her unique way of treating the Jazz tradition, bringing them into contemporary Jazz. The excellent team stands up to the challenge without a hitch and this music, despite its curves and twists, is a highly aesthetic journey into the unexpected. Wholeheartedly recommended!

Updated: 16/12/2023Posted: 16/12/2023

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