Record Reviews

BODEK JANKE ~ SONG 2 NOT ON LABEL 4260014871218 (Barcode: 4260014871218) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz-Pop Fusion Recorded: 2019 Released: 2020 This is an album by Polish (resident in Berlin) Jazz drummer / composer Bodek JankeFind albums by this artist recorded in an international quartet setting with Namibian vocalist / guitarist Shishani VranckxFind albums by this artist, Estonian pianist Kristjan RandaluFind albums by this artist and British bassist Phil DonkinFind albums by this artist. The excellent Polish Atom String QuartetFind albums by this artist provide the string parts and world class guests: American saxophonist Bill EvansFind albums by this artist, Israeli guitarist Gilad HekselmanFind albums by this artist and German trumpeter Sebastian StudnitzkyFind albums by this artist appear on selected tracks. The album presents ten tracks, five of which are originals (two by Janke and three by Vranckx) and the rest are arrangements of Pop songs. As the title suggests, this album is a continuation of its predecessor called "SongFind albums with this title" released a couple of years earlier. Although basically a Jazz album, the concept it presents is a mixture of inventive and ambitious arrangements of well known Pop songs and original compositions, with the emphasis on transforming the music into way more complex setting than its origins. Not surprisingly, since the leader is a drummer, the most striking feature of the music is a completely idiosyncratic rhythmic / polyrhythmic approach, which takes the music into an entire new dimension. The instrumental performances by all the participants on this album are simply phenomenal. Bodek is the rhythmic machine, which drives the entire ensemble, but the superb piano parts and excellent support by the bassist create a most impressive ambience of pulsating / vibrating musical unity, which sparks with originality. Vranckx adds her warm and somewhat mystical vocals, which bring the depth of African music into the proceedings. The guest stars add the proverbial cherry on top, carefully trying not to steal the show and respectfully naturally expand the ambience. The string arrangements deserve a special mention, not only because they are brilliantly executed, which is hardly surprising, but mostly due to their perfect fit to the core of the music, and not just an artificial ornamentation. Overall this is a most unusual and highly fascinating album, which requires repeated attentive listening sessions in order to truly expose its hidden treasures. It offers strikingly unusual arrangements and brilliant performances, full of aesthetic sophistication and reflecting the best European Jazz has to offer. This music should find a wide range of listeners, who are sure to enjoy its beauty, both within the circles of Jazz connoisseurs and beyond. Wholeheartedly and highly recommended!

Updated: 08/04/2020Posted: 08/04/2020

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OFF THE RECORD ~ THE CALL OUT OF THE SHED ~ GERMANY ~ Jazz Recorded: 2021 Released: 2022 This is the debut album by the European Jazz quartet Off The RecordFind albums by this artist, led by German guitarist / composer Ronny GraupeFind albums by this artist, which also includes Polish vibraphonist Dominik BukowskiFind albums by this artist, British bassist Phil DonkinFind albums by this artist and German drummer Oliver SteidleFind albums by this artist. The album presents fifteen original compositions, all by the leader, first five and last nine grouped into two “mini-suites” and one solitary tune separating them. Graupe first came to my attention as a member of the (then) new quartet led by Rolf KuhnFind albums by this artist, which included two young German Jazz musicians. I followed his career via his later recordings for the excellent WhyPlayJazzFind albums on this label label, which documents the burgeoning young German scene, of which Steidle is also an important member. Bukowski is of course an old acquaintance and surely one of the very best European vibraphone players since many years. I am less informed of the activities of Donkin, although he seems to be frantically busy as well, but somehow his albums never reached me so far. The music is an excellent example of contemporary European Jazz, which is highly imaginative, exploring and inventive, rhythmically liberated and free-spirited, and yet completely coherent, and to some degree melody based. Guitar and vibraphone playing together always take me back five decades back to the prophetic Gary BurtonFind albums by this artist / Larry CoryellFind albums by this artist quartet recordings, which were Fusion precursors but never actually played Fusion per se, exactly what happens here. There is perhaps just a tinge of Fusiony moments, but none of its drudgery. The individual and group performances are of course stellar, but nothing less should be expected from these highly experienced musicians. Graupe made an excellent choice by taking Bukowski aboard, creating a magical amalgam not only of sounds but more importantly of ideas. The polyrhythmic pulsations delivered by the rhythm section fit this music like a glove and are a true delight from start to finish. Overall, this is European Jazz at its best, sophisticated and emotional, organized and free all in the best measures. This is definitely a piece of music modern Jazz lovers should put their hands on, with no regrets or hesitation whatsoever. Years of hard work and persistence pay off in music, and when combined with great amounts of talent, they work wonders.

Updated: 09/07/2022Posted: 09/07/2022

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