Record Reviews

FRACTURED DIMENSION ~ TOWARDS THE MYSTERIUM NOT ON LABEL (Barcode: 809812012122) ~ USA ~ Progressive Rock Recorded: 2008 Released: 2008 1st album by US Prog trio led by keyboardist Jimmy PittsFind albums by this artist, who also composed almost all the music on the album, with bassist Jerry TwyfordFind albums by this artist and drummer Alex ArellanoFind albums by this artist. The music is a very ambitious musical suite, comprised of 17 miniatures, which pays homage to the Russian pianist / composer / philosopher / mystic Alexander ScriabinFind albums by this artist. Scriabin was of course one the most interesting and forward-thinking composers of the late 19th / early 20th Century, and who had an immense influence on the development of modern Classical Music, especially atonal / twelve-tone music developed later in the 20th Century by Arnold SchoenbergFind albums by this artist, Alban BergFind albums by this artist, Anton WebernFind albums by this artist, Hanns EislerFind albums by this artist, Milton BabbittFind albums by this artist, Luciano BerioFind albums by this artist, Pierre BoulezFind albums by this artist and Igor StravinskyFind albums by this artist. Scriabin, who died unexpectedly at the age of 43, left an unfinished piece he was working on, called "Mysterium", which was an epitome of his aesthetic and mystical beliefs. As the title of the album suggests, Pitts and his cohorts try to develop a piece of music, which perhaps could have been written by Scriabin, if he was alive today. Although such an undertaking might look mockingly way too ambitious, to my pleasant surprise they managed to fulfill their ambitions extremely well. The music is truly excellent, full of twists and turns, yet beautifully coherent, bearing many references to modern Classical Music, but incorporating musical techniques from Rock and Jazz. Often devilishly complex and tricky, the trio manages to perform the music flawlessly, which of course demands almost total control of their instruments. In order to expand the album´s tonality and instrumental depth, the group invited about a dozen of their friends / musicians (mostly guitarists), each contributing a brief solo on several of the pieces, adding mostly ornamentation rather than substance. Several of the guitar solos have a slight "metallic" tinge, which might lead for this album to be classified as Prog Metal (as I´ve observed in some of the album´s reviews); well those who do so simply miss the point by a mile. The usage of instruments is completely meaningless and if this music was performed by a Classical ensemble (which seems like a good idea), it would still be the same – a superb example of intelligent, contemporary music, a rare gem on the dreary plane of musical refuse that mostly surrounds us all. The fact that such exceptional music was created by young musicians, who are not only very talented, but who also know who Scriabin was, not to mention knowing his music (an extremely rare manifestation of respect towards the European Classical Music heritage, especially among Americans), makes them a great example for others to follow (not that I have many illusions as to this becoming a reality). Overall this is a stunning debut, worthy of a respectful position among the best Prog albums produced in the last decade, although the open-minded listeners of contemporary Classical music might have a field day with it as well. Kudos and I can´t wait for the group´s next effort, hoping they can sustain the same level of excellence.

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend

JOËLLE LÉANDRE ~ LIVE IN ISRAEL KADIMA COLLECTIVE 17 (Barcode: 634479851179) ~ FRANCE ~ Jazz Recorded: 2007 Released: 2008 French bassist Joëlle LéandreFind albums by this artist is one of a relatively few women pioneers on the Free Jazz and Improvised Music scene to earn a legendary status. Her activities on the scene have brought her in contact with the most distinguished performers, both European and American (such as Anthony BraxtonFind albums by this artist). She also worked in the field of contemporary Classical music with composers like Pierre BoulezFind albums by this artist and John CageFind albums by this artist. In 2007 Joëlle visited Israel and her live performances there have been recorded and are now issued on this double CD. The first CD includes 7 solo bass (and voice) performances and the second CD offers her playing in duo, trio and sextet settings with the top Israeli Improvised Music artists: Jean Claude JonesFind albums by this artist – bass, Steve HorensteinFind albums by this artist – baritone and soprano sax, flute, Sameer MakhoulFind albums by this artist – oud and voice, Assif TsaharFind albums by this artist – bass clarinet, Daniel SaridFind albums by this artist – piano, Hagai FershtmanFind albums by this artist – drums, Albert BegerFind albums by this artist – tenor sax and Ariel ShiboletFind albums by this artist – soprano sax. These wonderful musical moments are some of the highlights of the Improvised Music created in Israel, a small but quite lively scene led by Jones and consistently documented on his Kadima CollectiveFind albums on this label label. Connoisseurs of the genre will be quite delighted to hear this stuff.

CD 2 Recommend To A Friend

JOËLLE LÉANDRE / BARRE PHILLIPS ~ A L`IMPROVISTE KADIMA COLLECTIVE 16 (Barcode: 634479752964) ~ FRANCE ~ Jazz Recorded: 2007 Released: 2008 French bassist Joëlle LéandreFind albums by this artist is one of a relatively few women pioneers on the Free Jazz and Improvised Music scene to earn a legendary status. Her activities on the scene have brought her in contact with the most distinguished performers, both European and American (such as Anthony BraxtonFind albums by this artist). She also worked in the field of contemporary Classical music with composers like Pierre BoulezFind albums by this artist and John CageFind albums by this artist. Her partner for this recording is no other than another bass virtuoso – American born (but living in France since the early 1970s) Barre PhillipsFind albums by this artist, one of the most esteemed Free Jazz and Improvised Music players, with a career stretching back to the 1960s and cooperation with such great musicians like John SurmanFind albums by this artist, Derek BaileyFind albums by this artist, Paul BleyFind albums by this artist and many others. His ECM album with Dave HollandFind albums by this artist “Music From Two BassesFind albums with this title” was the first bass duo recording (1971), which brings us to this superb duet. Excellently recorded by the French Radio, the music is a completely improvised set, full of beautiful conversations and exchanges between the players, who display almost telepathic contact. Full of deep feeling and lyricism, but always inspired by the fire and passion for the music, the duo performs some incredible music, which although demanding, is most enjoyable. It is a great example of how Improvised Music can stay being Avant-Garde in nature, but become mature and technically flawless. Highly recommended to lovers of acoustic bass and challenging musical experiences.

Updated: 12/04/2019Posted:

CD-R 1 Mini-Sleeve Recommend To A Friend

DOMINIQUE PIFARELY ~ SUITE: ANABASIS JAZZDOR 01 (Barcode: 3521383463772) ~ FRANCE ~ Jazz-Classical Fusion Recorded: 2020 Released: 2021 This is an album by French Jazz violinist / composer Dominique PifarelyFind albums by this artist, recorded with an octet comprising of violin, two cellos, flute, two saxophones, keyboards and drums. The album presents five lengthy original compositions, all by Pifarely. The music is beyond straightforward classification, but obviously amalgamates elements of Jazz and modern / contemporary Classical Music, with a distinct French tinge, and a subtle fragrance of Pierre BoulezFind albums by this artist, glimpses of “Les Six” and other great French musical geniuses, but first and foremost expressing the highly individual inner voice of Pifarely. Despite the complexity of the music, it flows coherently and develops melody lines and atmospheric auras of great beauty. The proximity to Jazz is felt first and foremost in the rhythmic subtext, but also in the multi-layered thematic complexity and some short fragments that sound like “group improvisation”. The instrumentation sounds more Classical, but again today’s genre borders are mostly meaningless. I am not even sure if this music is Avant-Garde, despite its somewhat bizarre exterior, since it makes perfect sense to me, from start to finish, and rather that break completely new ground, it puts great many familiar elements into new arrays of sound. Pifarely’s role on this album is (for me) primarily that of the composer, despite the fact that he contributes flawless violin parts. All the participants prove virtuosic abilities required to perform this immensely tricky and demanding music. One can only admire the courage to undertake such project and the fact that this music was recorded over just three studio sessions, which from the outside looks like an unsurmountable task, regardless of how much rehearsal time went into it. Overall, this is a sensational piece of ingenuity, completely original, stimulating and full of sublime musical ideas. There is so much music on this album, that it might serve as a lifetime companion to avid music lovers, as repeated listening will surely reveal additional layers of previously hidden treasures. Although I have been following Pifarely’s recording career since many years, for me this is his best work so far. Yes, music is not a competition, but somehow everything I feel about his music fits here perfectly into a wonderful whole. I feel lucky to know Pifarely in person, which gives me the opportunity to say thank you, my Friend, for this rare gift of your musical talent!

Updated: 02/10/2021Posted: 02/10/2021

CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend

FRANK ZAPPA ~ BOULEZ CONDUCTS ZAPPA: THE PERFECT STRANGER ZAPPA 3869 (Barcode: 824302386927) ~ USA ~ Classical Recorded: 1984 Released: 2012 This is a reissue / remaster of the 39th album by iconic American guitarist / composer / bandleader / visionary Frank ZappaFind albums by this artist, originally released in 1984. It continues the presentation of “Classical” compositions by Zappa, which started with the “London Symphony OrchestraFind albums with this title” albums recorded a year earlier. The album presents seven compositions by Zappa, three of which were recorded by the French Ensemble InterContemporainFind albums by this artist, conducted by the great French composer Pierre BoulezFind albums by this artist, and the remaining four were realized by Zappa playing the Synclavier. In his liner notes, Zappa refers to the music as “seven dance pieces”. Other earlier albums by Zappa, which were recorded by orchestras, include “Lumpy GravyFind albums with this title”, “200 MotelsFind albums with this title” and “Orchestral FavoritesFind albums with this title” in addition to the already mentioned recordings with the London Symphony OrchestraFind albums by this artist. Zappa’s obsession with orchestral music comes to its climax with these two last albums, especially since his status as a “serious” musician is finally recognized by his Classical peers and one of the most prestigious orchestras in the world agreed to record his music and one of the most prestigious conductors in the world agreed to conduct and perform it with his ensemble. Despite his complete contempt and sheer hatred of musical business and establishment, he could not resist the temptation to “show” them who is really better, which reflects the omnipresent, but often deeply hidden inferiority complex of all non-Classical musicians / composers in relation to the Classical ones. Zappa’s music was always, from day one, as complex, ambitious, innovative, pioneering and Genius, and in most cases more so, than that of his Classical contemporaries, even when performed in the Pop / Rock / Fusion / Jazz environments, but these two albums are an opportunity to make an “equal ground” comparison, which of course easily proves his authority. Listeners not familiar with Zappa’s legacy (an unthinkable sin) might think that he is a bona fide Classical composer, as this music sounds authentically “Classical”, which is again a proof of his Genius. This music is conceived and in fact realized to sound as modern Classical music, which for a person of no academic Classical music education is truly astounding in every respect. Overall, although almost forty years passed since this music was recorded, this album remains an absolute Classic in every respect, which stands proudly as an icon of superb music, which still shines brighter than almost anything else recorded since. Zappa’s genius, not only as a musician, but also as a visionary and a brilliant observer of the human condition and American folly and deceit, remain completely relevant and are even more actual today than ever. Side Note Frank Zappa created a vast recorded legacy during his lifetime, which is continuously being expanded using music recorded and stored in his extensive vault. The albums officially released and approved by Zappa are numbered sequentially in the "Official Release" series, from #001 to the last release so far #126. The albums between #001 to #062 were released during Zappa's lifetime and all the others were released posthumously. There are countless unofficial / bootleg releases on the market as well. Zappa's catalogue was remastered for CD release twice: in 1995 for the RykodiscFind albums on this label releases and again in 2012 for the ZappaFind albums on this label Records / UniversalFind albums on this label releases. The Zappa / Universal program includes 60 releases, which cover the entire catalog released during his lifetime (62 releases, except #013 "200 Motels" and the three Box Sets #043, #046 and #049 called "The Old Masters vol.I / II / III"), and 6 posthumous releases (#064, #065, #067, #068, #093 and #094), which were also included.

Updated: 22/09/2022Posted: 08/04/2022

CD 1 Remastered Recommend To A Friend