Record Reviews

GROPPER / GRAUPE / LILLINGER ~ RIOT WHYPLAYJAZZ 030 (Barcode: 4250459990902) ~ GERMANY ~ Avant-Garde Jazz Recorded: 2015 Released: 2016 This is the sixth album by the German Avant-Garde trio, which exists since 2003, formerly known as Hyperactive KidFind albums by this artist, which consists of saxophonist Philipp GropperFind albums by this artist, guitarist Ronny GraupeFind albums by this artist and drummer Christian LillingerFind albums by this artist. The album presents eleven original pieces, four each by Gropper and Graupe and three by Lillinger. The trio decided to drop the Hyperactive Kid moniker and open a new chapter of their creative path, with an immediate result of going even further away from the conventional musical world into extreme Avant-Garde, which completely beats classification. One can hardly hear any melody, cohesive continuum or structural development in the trio´s music, only a sequence of sounds produced by the musicians, who interact which each other at times but soon seem to venture into individual explorations. The thin line between freedom and havoc can be defined here individually by every listener, as the music obviously refuses to set any boundaries itself. It is impossible to express any judgmental statement about such music simply for the luck of conventional criteria, which could be applied. Therefore the only reference should remain on the emotional level, basically concerning the fact if this music touches the listener at all, and if so, how profoundly. As a result my opinion in this case is truly irrelevant to other listeners, as everyone will be facing it completely differently on their own. One can only admire the consistence and the artistic courage displayed by these three still quite young musicians, who refuse to give up their individuality and pursue a path less traveled. This album is the thirtieth release on the extraordinary independent German WhyPlayJazzFind albums on this label label, run and owned by Roland SchulzFind albums by this artist, which sets an example of great taste and artistic courage since 2005. It is thanks to people like Schulz that European Jazz still manages to discover new territory day after day. Hats off!

Updated: 12/04/2019Posted: 19/09/2016

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PEUKER8 ~ INFLUX WHYPLAYJAZZ 040 (Barcode: 4250459991404) ~ GERMANY ~ Jazz-Classical Fusion Recorded: 2017 Released: 2018 This is the second album by the German octet Peuker8Find albums by this artist, led by guitarist / composer Paul PeukerFind albums by this artist, which also includes pianist Clemens Christian PotzschFind albums by this artist, saxophonist Mark WeschenfelderFind albums by this artist, violin quinton (five strings violin) player Alina GropperFind albums by this artist, viola quinton (five strings viola) player Filip SommerFind albums by this artist, cellist Elizabeth CoudouxFind albums by this artist, bassist Eugen RolnikFind albums by this artist and drummer Florian LauerFind albums by this artist. Vocalist Sissi RadaFind albums by this artist guests on one track. The album presents ten original compositions, all by Peuker. The music immediately strikes the listener with its originality and immense intensity, which are entirely unprecedented. It is a variety of Jazz-Classical Fusion, but no other music of that category has previously reached such level of natural symbiosis as this music, which amalgamates Jazz tradition with contemporary European chamber music, expanding the idiom´s boundaries tremendously. In fact the octet sounds like modern version of a chamber orchestra, where the string section, the rhythm section and the Jazz instruments take the roles of the traditional classical instrument, but the concept of creating music together as an ensemble stays basically the same, with a modernized sound and possibilities of course. The music, although obviously composed, allows huge amount of individual improvisational freedom, which adds spice and pizzazz to the proceedings and allows the musicians to create some superb solo contributions throughout the album. Although noticeably complex and multilayered, the music sounds coherent and focused at all times, and should be accessible to a relatively wide listening audience, in spite of its potent contents. It will take a while for this music to reverberate and achieve the recognition it truly deserves, but it definitely marks a milestone in European contemporary music, including the Jazz idiom but also way beyond. The aesthetic and intellectual ingenuity, talent and effort this album offers to the listener are all extraordinary and deserve the highest praise, which will be hopefully followed by acknowledgment as well. Hats off to Peuker and his cohorts for creating this music and to Roland SchulzFind albums by this artist, the head of the WhyPlayJazzFind albums on this label record label, for releasing it against all odds!

Updated: 03/03/2018Posted: 03/03/2018

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PLOT ~ TIGHTROPE WHYPLAYJAZZ 023 (Barcode: 4050486940235) ~ GERMANY ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion Recorded: 2014 Released: 2015 This is the second album by the German trio PlotFind albums by this artist, which consists of saxophonist Sebastian WehleFind albums by this artist, bassist Robert LucaciuFind albums by this artist and drummer Philipp ScholzFind albums by this artist. The album presents nine classis Pop / Rock songs, adapted for a Jazz trio, which include five songs by the BeatlesFind albums by this artist, two by Creedence Clearwater RevivalFind albums by this artist and one each by Led ZeppelinFind albums by this artist and SantanaFind albums by this artist. The concept is both very familiar and very innovative. Pop / Rock songs have been the subject of Jazzed up interpretations for ages and most Jazz standards originate from Pop songs one way or another. However this trio takes the idea into a new dimension, creating a unique universe, which mixes Punkish nonchalance with highly aesthetic sensibility. The result is a surprising and vibrant musical experience, which catches even experienced listeners completely off guard. All three members of the trio perform exceedingly well, with Wehle carrying the melody and improvising, Lucaciu supplying the riffs that are the spine of Pop / Rock songs and Scholz taking care of the rhythmic layer. The arrangements are based on minimalism and expression and as a result are able to create a completely nontrivial new interpretation of the familiar material. There is really no need to say much more about this album except that it is one of the most interesting pieces of music I happened to come across in a long time and an absolute must hear to all true Jazz connoisseurs, especially those who also have an affinity to Pop / Rock music. It also is an example of originality and good taste that should be taught in music schools that today produce mostly clones of a rigid conception conceived ages ago. Additionally the album has a superb sound quality, which adds another reason why it deserves to be a part of every respectable music collection. Roland SchulzFind albums by this artist, the owner and guru of the WhyPlayJazzFind albums on this label label deserves special merit for releasing this album, as most label owners would have probably considered it as a freak show failing to see how wonderful this experience truly is. Hats off!

Updated: 12/06/2016Posted: 12/06/2016

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THEMROC 3 ~ ROCTHEM! WHYPLAYJAZZ 029 (Barcode: 4250459990391) ~ GERMANY ~ Jazz Recorded: 2015 Released: 2016 This is the debut album by the Berlin based trio Themroc 3Find albums by this artist, which consists of German clarinetist Benjamin WeidekampFind albums by this artist, Austrian trumpeter Richard KochFind albums by this artist and German drummer Michael GrienerFind albums by this artist. Although existing since 2002 the trio apparently did not make an album earlier. The album presents eight original compositions, four each by Weidekamp and Griener. The music of the trio is a refreshing mixture of Circus, Cabaret, and German brass music and of course Jazz elements, which is a pure delight from start to finish. The humorous and often arrogant / punkish attitude is all in good taste and makes the listeners simply to put a huge smile on their faces. But beneath the imaginary simplicity there is a deep layer of sophistication and clever inventiveness, which turns the seemingly simple elements into a fascinating puzzle. This is of course typically European music, which could not have been created anywhere but in Europe and Berlin in particular. Echoes of the 1920s Berlin nonchalance and intellectual mayhem are plainly audible in this music, and if Kurt WeillFind albums by this artist was alive today it is highly possible he would have loved to join the trio on stage. There is something liberating and mind-blowing about this music, which puts things in their right perspective. Fun is fun, humor is humor and life is life… I had to listen several times to this album before I was ready to make up my mind what to write. Its impact is so "right in your face" that only very few albums a year come even close to this effect. Therefore don´t judge this album after just one listening session; let it sink and simmer down before it hits you again, like an old wine getting better with every sip. Truly amazing stuff! Congrats to Roland SchulzFind albums by this artist for releasing this gem and his WhyPlayJazzFind albums on this label label for being a home to so many great recordings!

Updated: 20/09/2016Posted: 20/09/2016

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