Record Reviews

MARTIN BRUNNER BAND ~ LEVELS OF LIFE ANIMAL MUSIC 080 (Barcode: 8594155999538) ~ CZECH REPUBLIC ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion Recorded: 2019 Released: 2019 This is the fifth album by the Czech Jazz pianist / composer Martin BrunnerFind albums by this artist and his first recording with the quartet called Martin Brunner BandFind albums by this artist, which also includes guitarist Tomas FuchsFind albums by this artist, Slovak bassist Rastislav UhrikFind albums by this artist and drummer Roman VichaFind albums by this artist. The album presents nine original compositions by Brunner, but on the album’s artwork the composer gives credit to the other members of the band for shaping the final arrangements of these compositions. The music was excellently recorded at the SONO Records studio and engineered by Milan CimfeFind albums by this artist. Brunner is a member of the composers’ collective The Prague SixFind albums by this artist (see Concept Art OrchestraFind albums by this artist) and collaborated with many other musicians on the local scene in various genres. He is considered as one of the leading young composers in the Czech Republic. His previous four albums as a leader were recorded with a piano trio (or in one case piano trio and string quartet) and are all excellent. This album finds Brunner in a completely new musical environment, playing contemporary Fusion (for a lack of better definition), which offers a set of wonderful compositions performed with a Rocky attitude. But the music is quite different from what most listeners consider as Fusion these days, since it is way more ambitious and sophisticated than the usual contemporary Fusion doodling. Brunner plays a lot of acoustic piano (which is already unusual for a Fusion album) and an analog synthesizer and the guitarist uses a plethora of different sounds, eschewing unnecessary boring long solos. The rhythm section is also superb, playing excellent polyrhythms and odd times with ease and elegance. The bass adds a wonderful basis for the entire sound, and although soloes sparingly, his playing is absolutely virtuosic. Overall this music is simply ravishing from start to finish, fondly reminiscent of the early days of Fusion, when the music was truly innovative and challenging, setting new rules of what was possible within the symbiosis of Jazz and Rock. Brunner’s compositions are full of unexpected turns and twists, which keeps the listener in check for the duration. For all appreciative Fusion lovers, especially those of the older generation, who remember the idiom at its prime and the younger, who wish to learn how it can be done at its best, this album is an absolute must. Hats off!

Updated: 27/02/2021Posted: 27/02/2021

CD 1 Mini-Sleeve Recommend To A Friend

CONCEPT ART ORCHESTRA ~ 100 YEARS ANIMAL MUSIC 091 (Barcode: 8594155998791) ~ CZECH REPUBLIC ~ Big Band Jazz Recorded: 2020 Released: 2020 This is the fifth album by the Czech Big Band called Concept Art OrchestraFind albums by this artist, founded in 2010 and led by trumpeter / composer Stepanka BalcarovaFind albums by this artist. As the title suggests, this is a project commemorating the Centennial of the modern Czech State founded in 1918 following the end of WW I. The album presents a six-part suite, each part dedicated to one of the six periods signifying the development over time of the convoluted history of Czechoslovakia / Czech Republic between 1918 and 2018. Each of the six parts includes short archival recordings of speeches by relevant historic personalities and other sounds. All the music was composed by members of a group of six Czech composers, called collectively The Prague SixFind albums by this artist: Balcarova, saxophonist Lubos SoukupFind albums by this artist, pianist Vit KristanFind albums by this artist, keyboardist Martin BrunnerFind albums by this artist, trombonist Jan JiruchaFind albums by this artist and pianist Tomas SykoraFind albums by this artist, all of which also play on the album, two as guests. The Big Band, conducted by Balcarova, includes eighteen players with the obvious saxophone, trumpet, trombone and rhythm sections. Six guests play on selected tracks. The music was beautifully recorded and offers a magnificently rich Big Band sound. As all the earlier albums by the CAO, the music is skillfully and intelligently woven and superbly executed by the Big Band members. It epitomizes the concept and sound of the European Jazz Big Band tradition, which although based on the American Jazz Big Band tradition to some extent, expands the traditional roles of the sections and their mutual relationships and offers more challenging arrangements and aural versatility. The music emphasizes the Big Band sound, which functions like one organic body and even the individual soloing is also kept as naturally solidified with the overall sound as possible. There is no doubt that the CAO is today one of the most ambitious and productive Big Bands active on the European scene, with a strong conceptual base of resident composers, brilliant instrumentalist and dedicated leadership, superbly implemented by Balcarova. This album is a schoolbook example of the intellectual capacity invested into a musical project, which not only works to the full effect, but also educates and sets an incredibly high standard to follow. On a personal note, I was deeply moved by this album since between my Father and myself we took part and observed those hundred years of Czech history up close. My Father studied engineering in Brno in the 1930s, since he was not allowed to study in his native Poland as a Jew. He had many Czech friends during his studies and sadly returned to Czechoslovakia as a prisoner of the Theresienstadt Concentration Camp. After leaving Poland in 1967, I remember the ecstasy of the Prague Spring and the horror of the Invasion, the Velvet Revolution and my meetings with President Vaclav HavelFind albums by this artist during the dark days in prison and the happy days in the Prague Castle. His love of music and Jazz in particular strengthened our bond. Hearing his voice on this album was profoundly poignant. My thanks to all the people involved in creating this wonderful project!

Updated: 25/02/2021Posted: 25/02/2021

CD 1 Mini-Sleeve Recommend To A Friend

CONCEPT ART ORCHESTRA ~ VANOCE DOSPELYCH ANIMAL MUSIC 075 (Barcode: 8594155991617) ~ CZECH REPUBLIC ~ Xmas Jazz Recorded: 2018 Released: 2018 This is the fourth album by the Czech Big Band called Concept Art OrchestraFind albums by this artist, founded in 2010 and led by trumpeter / composer Stepanka BalcarovaFind albums by this artist. As the title suggests (Eng. "Xmas For The Grownups"), this is a Xmas Jazz project, but it is completely original and different from most such endeavors. The album presents nine pieces, three of which are traditional Xmas Carrols, one is a 17th Century Classical composition and five are original compositions, all composed or arranged by members of a group of six Czech composers, called collectively The Prague SixFind albums by this artist: Balcarova, saxophonist Lubos SoukupFind albums by this artist, pianist Vit KristanFind albums by this artist, keyboardist Martin BrunnerFind albums by this artist, trombonist Jan JiruchaFind albums by this artist and pianist Tomas SykoraFind albums by this artist, four of which also play on the album. The Big Band, conducted by Balcarova, includes eighteen players with the obvious saxophone, trumpet, trombone and rhythm sections. Three vocalists perform the lyrics (in Czech) to the five original pieces; written by Czech poets (Jan SkacelFind albums by this artist and Frana SramekFind albums by this artist) and other lyricists or in one case by Soukup, which also place this project in the proximity of the Jazz & Poetry idiom. The music is by far more Jazz oriented than other Xmas Jazz projects, with the full splendor of the Big Band dominating the proceedings. The compositions and the intricate arrangements create a multi-layered aural experience, in which the lyrics are just one aspect of the whole. The arrangements of the traditional Carrols and the Classical piece take them almost completely away from their original / usual environs, and are brilliant displays of the artistry of transposing music between genres, in this case sounding like Duke EllingtonFind albums by this artist´s standards rather than European folkloristic themes. And yet the Big Band manages to keep the Xmas Spirit of the music intact due to a highly creative sensibility. The three Carrols are placed in tandem, creating a sort of mini suite, standing somewhat apart from the original compositions, but still being an organic part of the entire project. Throughout the album the Big Band members get plenty of opportunity to solo and the performances as a whole are absolutely superb from start to finish. The Orchestra sounds collectively as one organic body and such level of mutual respect and cooperation is awe inspiring. The vocals are also splendidly executed, with obvious respect to both the text and the music. Even for non Czech speaking listeners these vocals are perfectly communicative, at least on the emotional level. Overall this is a superb piece of music, not only for Big Band buffs, but also all other connoisseurs of orchestral music, which always amazes with its sheer power of expression. For me it is definitely the most well rounded creation by the CAO and as such it is of course highly recommended. My sincere thanks to Stepanka Balcarova for sharing this music with me and I wish her many fruitful musical achievements in the future. Well done Milady and all the people who make Czech Jazz such a wonderful experience!

Updated: 06/11/2020Posted: 05/11/2020

CD 1 Mini-Sleeve Recommend To A Friend

LUBOS SOUKUP ~ THROUGH THE MIRROR ANIMAL MUSIC 038 (Barcode: 8594155997022) ~ CZECH REPUBLIC ~ Jazz Recorded: 2012 - 2013 Released: 2013 This is the second album as a leader by Czech saxophonist / composer Lubos SoukupFind albums by this artist, recorded with his quartet, which also includes German pianist Christian PabstFind albums by this artist, Swedish bassist Joel IllerhagFind albums by this artist and Danish drummer Morten HaesumFind albums by this artist. The lineup is expanded by the addition of a not less international six-piece horn section and a Czech string quartet. The album presents ten original compositions, all by Soukup. The music is a wonderful example of modern European Jazz, based on excellent compositions, which amalgamate some glimpses of European Classical Music influences and Jazz ensemble music, brilliantly arranged and perfectly executed by these, mostly young but already very experienced and well educated musicians. Soukup demonstrates his highly unusual melody weaving skills, which have been amply reflected by his work in the years since this album was released, both on his own recordings and albums with other people. He is a member of the Prague SixFind albums by this artist composers’ collective, whose work was wonderfully recorded by the Czech Concept Art OrchestraFind albums by this artist (of which he is also a member), the Inner SpacesFind albums by this artist quintet and other ensembles and in the last few years he is definitely one of the most active and prolific figures on the Czech Jazz scene. The scope of the music is pretty amazing, elegantly floating between the more Jazz oriented pieces, performed by the ensemble and the more somber Classical oriented compositions, performed by the string quartet, but always keeping the listener mesmerized by the depth of the music and the intricate / multi-level arrangements, which become an intrinsic part of the concept that Soukup is trying to create on this album. Considering the fact that he was only twenty-seven at the time this music was recorded, the achievement is even more impressive. Overall this is a very striking piece of European Music, which exemplifies not only the incredible powers of these individuals but also their unprecedented ability to join forces in international projects, like this one, which are very common in the last decade in the borderless Europe. Soukup is definitely a musician / composer worthy of being followed by lovers of European Jazz and all his recordings deserve attention. Hats off!

Updated: 07/05/2021Posted: 07/05/2021

CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend

TOMAS SYKORA ~ SONGS FOR ORCHESTRA ANIMAL MUSIC 093 (Barcode: 8594155997213) ~ CZECH REPUBLIC ~ Pop-Classical Fusion Recorded: 2020 Released: 2021 This is an album by Czech pianist / composer Tomas SykoraFind albums by this artist, a member of The Prague SixFind albums by this artist composers group. It presents a live concert recording of a Jazz quartet with Sykora, saxophonist David FranekFind albums by this artist, bassist Tomas LiskaFind albums by this artist and drummer Roman VichaFind albums by this artist with the Prague Radio Symphony OrchestraFind albums by this artist conducted by Stepanka BalcarovaFind albums by this artist. The music includes Jazz-Classical Fusion arrangements of three pieces: a composition by veteran Czech Jazz pianist / composer Karel RuzickaFind albums by this artist, a five-part suite composed by Sykora and a suite composed by saxophonist / composer Karel Ruzicka Jr.Find albums by this artist, the son of Ruzicka Senior, based on his compositions for the album “Grace & GratitudeFind albums with this title”, compiled and arranged by Sykora. The music is beautifully melodic and full of Eastern European melancholy, which of course is hardly surprising. Although composed by three very different composers, the amalgam with the orchestral arrangements and the spirit driving the music manages to create a coherent, well-structured musical experience, which is aesthetically pleasing. Despite the fact that many symphonic Jazz projects end up as complete failures, this project is perfectly able to defend the very idea that such joint ventures can be both viable and rewarding. Sykora manages to create a very delicate balance between the quartet parts and the orchestral parts, which is very tricky. The transitions between the Jazz quartet performances and the Classical orchestra ones are smooth and logical and offer a natural development. Personally I admire Balcarova, who manages to make the symphonic orchestra to sound at times much closer to a Jazz Big Band than a Classical orchestra, which is very rarely achieved – beautifully done indeed. Even the “Grace & Gratitude” material sounds way more attractive than the original album version, which sadly lacked any originality. With the new arrangements the music feels alive and comes back to its Cultural home, where it belongs. Overall this is a wonderful album, which manages to create a consistent bridge between Jazz and Classical Music, avoiding all the kitschy traps that often imperil such efforts. It offers beautiful music, superbly arranged and splendidly executed, which should keep all lovers of such cross-genre explorations totally satisfied. Despite the fact that the music was recorded live, it offers wonderful sound quality and separation, as usual with Animal MusicFind albums on this label releases, which are an epitome of European elegance and grace, made the Czech way – hats off!

Updated: 05/08/2021Posted: 05/08/2021

CD 1 Mini-Sleeve Recommend To A Friend