Record Reviews

MADE IN CHINA ~ TRANSMISSIONS FOR TUNE 0098 (Barcode: 5902768701975) ~ USA ~ Jazz Recorded: 2015 Released: 2016 This is an album by the Jazz trio called Made In ChinaFind albums by this artist, which consists of Canadian (resident in NY) saxophonist Michael BlakeFind albums by this artist, Swiss trombonist Samuel BlaserFind albums by this artist and American drummer Michael SarinFind albums by this artist. The trio´s name, as explained in the liner notes, originates from the fact that it was put together in order to play concerts in China. The album presents eight compositions, four of which are originals by Blake, two are originals by Blaser, one is by the legendary South African drummer Louis MoholoFind albums by this artist and the remaining one is Jamaican ska tune. The music is based on exchanges of improvised passages between Blake and Blaser, with Sarin laying some rhythmic patterns behind them. It has its Bebop roots, like most American Jazz, but it is not unchained enough to be considered as fully blown Improvised Music and not restrained enough to be considered mainstream. Personally this kind of playing leaves me completely cold and I don´t see where it is going at all. It contains no emotional statement nor does it impress with its virtuosity or cleverness. In short it is completely unimpressive. I wonder why the For TuneFind albums on this label label, having at its disposal endless stream of superb original Polish Jazz, would invest in completely secondary American efforts, which look incredibly pale in the catalogue standing side by side with the Polish releases. But of course it´s only my point of view.

Updated: 11/08/2016Posted: 11/08/2016

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RGG / LYYTINEN / BLASER ~ CITY OF GARDENS VOL. 2 VOICE MUSIC 1011 (Barcode: 5906489287527) ~ POLAND ~ Free Jazz / Improvised Music Recorded: 2021 Released: 2024 This is an album by Polish Jazz trio RGGFind albums by this artist (pianist Lukasz OjdanaFind albums by this artist, bassist Maciej GarbowskiFind albums by this artist and drummer Krzysztof GradziukFind albums by this artist), joined by Finnish saxophonist Pauli LyytinenFind albums by this artist and Swiss trombonist Samuel BlaserFind albums by this artist. The “Vol. 2” refers to the album recorded by a similar quintet, but with Finnish trumpeter Verneri PohjolaFind albums by this artist instead of Lyytinen, released in 2018. The album presents seven tracks, five of which are improvised by the quintet and two are composed by Garbowski. The album offers a stunning sound quality. The music reflects the steady shift of RGG towards Improvised Music, which happened gradually during the twenty plus years of their music making together, and is, in retrospect, one of the most fascinating musical journeys on the Polish Jazz scene. All three members of the trio are brilliant instrumentalists, capable of producing a mesmerizing flow of music, which never loses its coherence and melodic footing, even when it journeys into the Free Improvisation sphere, all of which is wonderfully documented on their impressive recorded legacy, carefully assembled over the last two decades. Another aspect of RGG’s musical journey is the openness towards other musicians from all over the world, which also yielded superb recordings, like the a.m. earlier “City Of GardensFind albums with this title” album or their cooperation with British improvisers, like Trevor WattsFind albums by this artist or Evan ParkerFind albums by this artist. The open-mindedness and empathy required in such circumstances is superbly documented on this album as well, which is a beautiful example of spontaneity and telepathic musical bonding at their best. Overall, this is a deeply moving, elegant and truly inspiring example of Improvised Music at its best, full of elegance and eloquence, coherency and aesthetics, which makes listening to music such a pleasure. An absolute gem!

Updated: 09/12/2024Posted: 09/12/2024

CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend

RGG / POHJOLA / BLASER ~ CITY OF GARDENS FSR 2018/08 (Barcode: 5905279364318) ~ POLAND ~ Free Jazz / Improvised Music Recorded: 2017 Released: 2018 This is a live recording by Polish Jazz trio RGGFind albums by this artist (pianist Lukasz OjdanaFind albums by this artist, bassist Maciej GarbowskiFind albums by this artist and drummer Krzysztof GradziukFind albums by this artist), expanded to a European quintet with the addition of the Finnish trumpeter Verneri PohjolaFind albums by this artist and Swiss trombonist Samuel BlaserFind albums by this artist. The music was recorded during the quintet´s concert at the XII Silesian Jazz Festival in Katowice, with yours truly present in the audience and therefore also, at least spiritually, a part of this recording. The album presents five original compositions, all by Garbowski. Although the Polish Jazz scene always had an abundance of excellent Jazz piano trios, RGG certainly deserve a special mention in every respect. Their quest for musical perfection and constant searching, their openness and uncompromising aesthetics, their ability to survive the change of the pianist and continue safe and sound in a natural progression and above all their personal charm are all truly unique. I have of course followed the trio´s development from day one, collectively and individually, and consider them to be a quintessential paradigm of the young post-Millennium Polish Jazz scene. The trio´s previous live recording, which placed them alongside the veteran British avant-gardist Evan ParkerFind albums by this artist and their recordings with Polish vocalist Anna GadtFind albums by this artist opened another chapter in their approach to music, namely their hunger to develop collaborations with musicians from outside the trio´s closed habitat. This led also to work first with Pohjola and then also Blaser, which we are able to hear on this album. Although credited to Gradziuk, the music is of course mostly improvised and the lengthy, between ten and fifteen minutes long tracks, are an orgy of controlled spontaneity and free fall, which is completely captivating. The quintet goes through all the possible iterations, with musicians playing solo or in duo, trio, quartet and quintet settings, all impulsively forming on the stage. But with all that openness and freedom, which can be heard throughout, there is also a magic coherency and discipline, which sets boundaries and defines the scope and form of the music at any given point. This miraculous ability to play free and at the same time show a clear direction is the most important ingredient, which makes this music what it is. The individual statements are all phenomenal, which is hardly a surprise. Pohjola is definitely stealing a lot of the attention, as his trumpet pyrotechnics are breathtaking, but at the same time his playing is incredibly melodic, lyrical and often purely romantic. Blaser, already a young veteran of the trombone scene, has an incredible technique and no lesser feel, and the sound he is able to produce with his instrument is a ceaseless box of wanders. RGG – oh well they are the locomotive which carries this music along, a stylish carriage full of chic and aesthetic beauty and a red Lamborghini which adds zest and gusto. This is definitely some of the best Jazz music one can listen to these days, and I wish it gets to as many people as possible, as it is unconditionally superb. I am happy to be friends with these guys and proud of their achievements – they are the kind of people that do not let you down – and that is so rare. Thanks for the music!

Updated: 08/06/2018Posted: 08/06/2018

CD 1 Mini-Sleeve Recommend To A Friend