Record Reviews

DR. JOHN ~ SKE-DAT-DE-DAT: THE SPIRIT OF SATCH (LIMITED EDITION) LAST MUSIC 5052442013648 (Barcode: 5052442013648) ~ USA ~ Jazz-Pop Fusion Recorded: 2013 Released: 2020 This is the 32nd studio album by iconic American singer / keyboardist / songwriter / bandleader Dr. JohnFind albums by this artist (a.k.a. Mac RebennackFind albums by this artist), and the last album released during his lifetime and his penultimate album in total. This limited edition was released on the first anniversary of Dr. John’s passing. The album was recorded with a huge number of guest musicians, mostly from the Jazz scene, including trumpeters Terence BlanchardFind albums by this artist and Nicholas PaytonFind albums by this artist. As the title suggests, it is a tribute to the iconic American musician Louis ArmstrongFind albums by this artist and the thirteen tracks on this album are all associated with Armstrong’s repertoire. The album presents brilliant up to date arrangements of Armstrong’s classic songs, amalgamating all possible American musical styles, including the New Orleans musical roots and traditions, and spans many genres, including Gospel, Blues, Voodoo, Funk, Hip Hop and of course Jazz and it is one of the most elaborate and diverse albums Dr. John ever recorded, proving again that he was one of America’s most talented musicians of all time. His idiosyncratic vocals, piano playing, sense of humor and general approach to music remain as one of the most recognizable symbols of American music. Overall, this is another gem of American music, which deserves to be remembered and a lot can be learned from it about how to combine cross-genre musical sources to create a perfect amalgam, which is simply everlasting. Blues, Soul and vocal Jazz enthusiasts should love this album to bits, as I obviously do as well.

Updated: 30/05/2024Posted: 30/05/2024

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MICHAL WROBLEWSKI ~ CITY ALBUM ELLITE 5903111529024 (Barcode: 5903111529024) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 2014 Released: 2014 This is the third album by the young and very gifted Polish Jazz pianist / composer Michal WroblewskiFind albums by this artist, which sees him returning to the piano trio format with bassist Michal JarosFind albums by this artist and drummer Pawel DobrowolskiFind albums by this artist. The album presents eight original compositions, all but one by Wroblewski, with the exception being a piece based on the music by Frederic ChopinFind albums by this artist and arranged by Wroblewski. The music was recorded (same as his debut album) at the now legendary Studio Tokarnia, with Jan SmoczynskiFind albums by this artist doing his usual sound magic with spectacular results. The music, as stated by Wroblewski, was influenced by playing a concert tour in 2013 with American superstar trumpeter Terence BlanchardFind albums by this artist, but the experience influenced also the trio´s approach to music, which became much more focused and intense. As a result this album is remarkably stronger and vital than the two earlier efforts, even though those two were already first class achievements, and places Wroblewski just a notch higher on his way to fame and fortune. His compositions, as usual, combine the right amount of melodic substance with lyrical contents and harmonic beauty, very much like many Jazz standards do. Listening to this album is a true delight from start to finish, with time passing by in a breeze. Of course a piano trio is only as strong as all three musicians involved and Wroblewski is extremely lucky to find two partners who fulfill him completely, match his sensibilities, his virtuosity and his elegance. This piano trio is a classic example of what a piano trio should sound like in the mainstream Jazz milieu. Yes, this music does not make any groundbreaking discoveries as far as Jazz is concerned, but we need to keep the legacy alive and this trio is just perfect in that capacity. It is difficult to predict how Wroblewski´s career will develop from this point on, but he certainly already made his mark both as a pianist and a composer. I am certainly keeping my eye, or rather ear, on his moves, as he managed to impress me for the third time in a row. Jazz fans who love the piano trio format will have a field day with this one. Well done indeed!

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