Record Reviews

HLASKONTRABAS OKTET ~ KALEIDOSCAPES ANIMAL MUSIC 125 (Barcode: 8594211850445) ~ CZECH REPUBLIC ~ Jazz-Classical Fusion Recorded: 2024 Released: 2024 This is an album by the Czech ensemble Hlaskontrabas OktetFind albums by this artist, comprising of four female vocalists (Ridina AhmedovaFind albums by this artist, Alice BauerFind albums by this artist, Mirka NovakFind albums by this artist and Marketa ZdenkovaFind albums by this artist) and four bassists (Ondrej KomarekFind albums by this artist, Tomas LiskaFind albums by this artist, Ondrej StajnochrFind albums by this artist and Petr TichyFind albums by this artist), i.e. a vocal-bass octet, as the name suggest. The album presents nine compositions commissioned by the octet from several composers hailing from Czech Republic, Norway, Island and Israel. The music offers a wordless vocalese (with one exception, when a Buddha quote is used as lyrics) sung by the vocalist, which offers a choir effect, and accompanied by the bass players, who play conventionally (i.e. plucking or bowing) as well as use the bass to produce percussive sounds. The combined effect is absolutely stunning, original and innovative, and to be honest I am not surprised to see this album released by the superb Czech Animal MusicFind albums on this label label, which is true worldwide pioneer in every aspect of recording music, including the brilliant sound quality their records offer. Stylistically the music is of course strongly Jazz oriented, as the melodic themes are performed by the vocal quartet with a high degree of improvisation, and the basses provide a strong rhythmic accompaniment. But a more attentive listening reveals many World Music elements and of course strong Classical Music influences – in short a true musical kaleidoscope. The album reflects the European aesthetics at its most profound level, with each and every aspect of this music deeply contemplated, meticulously planned, and finally put together with care and at the time panache and flair, as appropriate for “high culture” one should to strive for. In many respects this album brings back fond memories of the great vocal ensembles, such as Vocal SummitFind albums by this artist, but this time combined with the unfamiliar / wild bass quartet, as additional flavoring, creating one of the most exciting results in vocal Jazz, of a level not heard in many years. Overall, this is one of the most profound and aesthetically gratifying albums that landed on my desk since quite a while. This is completely universal music, co completely cross-genre and mystifyingly encompassing Artistic values, that it leaves me overwhelmingly speechless (contrary to the fact that I am writing about it). I am deeply grateful to Petr OstrouchovFind albums by this artist and Natalia OstrouchovaFind albums by this artist (the couple behind Animal Music) for their consistency, dedication and sublimely great taste. You make this world a better place!

Updated: 20/05/2024Posted: 20/05/2024

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ROMANOVSKA / TICHY / HRUBY ~ ROMANOVSKA / TICHY / HRUBY HEVHETIA 0165 (Barcode: 8588005258289) ~ CZECH REPUBLIC ~ Free Jazz / Improvised Music Recorded: 2017 Released: 2018 This is the debut album by the Czech Jazz trio comprising of violinist Anna RomanovskaFind albums by this artist (who also plays the koto), bassist Petr TichyFind albums by this artist and clarinetist / saxophonist Michal HrubyFind albums by this artist. The album presents six original compositions, four of which were composed by all three members of the trio and two were composed by Hruby. The music floats between composed and improvised settings completely naturally and indistinguishably within the same piece, and is mostly very minimalist and open with a lot of breathing space between the notes, which makes the music easily accessible despite its complexity. Romanovska, perhaps due to her interest in the koto and Japanese music, which followed suit, uses often Far Eastern motifs in her playing, which amalgamate very well with the European sound of the clarinet and the rhythmic patterns of the base. Therefore the overall mood of the music has a distinct World Music influence, which is relatively rare in European Improvised Music. The individual performance by the trio members are all excellent, as expected form musicians of such class. Hruby is of course in charge of the Free Jazz elements, whereas Romanovska brings in the Folkloristic feel as much as contemporary Classical Music influence. Tichy serves as a bridge between the two soloists and his imaginative bass playing is what keeps the music under control and guidance. Overall this is a very interesting Improvised Music album, which discloses the existence of the idiom in the Czech Republic, which is not known to most fans of the genre outside of the country. It is also a great example of European aesthetics, which prefers minimalism and minute detail over the wall of sound effect often dominating the Free Jazz / Improvised Music scene across the pond. Definitely worth investigating!

Updated: 18/08/2018Posted: 18/08/2018

CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend