Record Reviews

IZABELLA EFFENBERG ~ IMPRESSIONS IN COLOURS GLM 365 (Barcode: 4014063436528) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 2021 Released: 2024 This is a 2CD album by Polish (resident in Germany) multi-instrumentalist / composer / music activist Izabella EffenbergFind albums by this artist, recorded with several German musicians and featuring the Polish / Japanese vocalist / songwriter Yumi ItoFind albums by this artist. The album presents twenty-two tracks, all but two composed by Effenberg and one each composed by Krzysztof KomedaFind albums by this artist and Lars DanielssonFind albums by this artist. Izabella Effenberg emerged on the European Jazz scene just about a decade ago and during that relatively short period of time she proved to be not only an outstanding musician and composer, but also an important activist, recording Artist, educator and festival organizer, which of course is a highly commendable and unique achievement. Despite the fact that Izabella plays the vibraphone, one of the most difficult instruments within the Jazz milieu, she continuously expands her interest in the entire mallet family, expanding way beyond the obvious with trying new and uncharted territory and introducing experimental new instruments, like glass harp, array mbira and others, incorporating them into her set of performing tools. The presence of Ito is a true proverbial cherry on top! By using such a wide collection of instruments within her performances and recordings, Izabella is able to create one of the most unique and unparalleled arrays of sonic experiences, which keep the audiences electrified and astounded time and again. Her compositions are perfectly suited for her instrumental abilities and offer the listeners a magic, unforgettable aural voyage. Overall, this is a remarkable musical experience, which presents a wide range of diverse mallet instruments, masterly performed and composed by Effenberg. It combines Jazz with many other genres, offering a stunning kaleidoscope of sound and ideas. I am proud to be her keen follower since her early days and a Friend, always proud of her remarkable achievements. Side Note The above are my liner notes included on this album's artwork. I am honored when asked by the Artists to write liner notes for their albums, always hoping that my words reflect the true spirit of the music. This is also a symbol of our mutual respect and friendship developed over the years. The same is also true when Record Labels ask me to write liner notes for their releases, mostly in the case of reissues of archival albums, which is a symbol of their appreciation of my knowledge and historical perspective and my recognition of their dedication to the preservation of the history of recorded music and the effort to keep human Culture and Aesthetics alive.

Updated: 04/12/2024Posted: 04/11/2023

CD 2 Digipak Recommend To A Friend

YUMI ITO ~ STARDUST CRYSTALS UNIT 4946 (Barcode: 7640114799464) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz-Classical Fusion Recorded: 2018 Released: 2020 This is an album by Polish (Mother) – Japanese (Father) (resident in Switzerland) vocalist / composer / lyricist Yumi ItoFind albums by this artist, recorded with an international eleven piece band, which also includes Polish (resident in Germany) vibraphonist Izabella EffenbergFind albums by this artist and bassist Jakub DworakFind albums by this artist. The album presents eight original pieces, all composed and arranged by Ito, six of which feature her lyrics (in English) and two are instrumentals. The music is multi-layered and utilizes complex instrumental arrangements, which from the very onset of the album clearly state that this is a serious and extremely elaborate piece of music. The overall sound is strongly influenced by contemporary Chamber Music, featuring a unique lineup of vocals, string and woodwind trios, harp, vibraphone and a bass / drums rhythm section, which only very rarely can be found within the Jazz idiom. Ito brilliantly utilizes the many hidden possibilities of such a large ensemble to beautifully ornament and enhance her vocal parts, keeping the instrumental parts somewhat in the background behind her vocals and yet fully audible for the listener to enjoy their wonderful support. Ito presents an entire spectrum of vocal abilities, which includes recitation, singing lyrics, improvising using vocalese, etc. all tastefully and masterly executed with great respect to the entire framework of her compositions and the vocal tradition, which is truly cross-genre, but always perfectly aesthetically rounded. The instrumental work by the ensemble members is all superb, and although there is relatively little soloing per se, there are multiple mini-solo parts of delicate nature. But more importantly the ensemble work, which is by all means demanding, is perfectly executed, full of mutual respect and fragile interplays, including the rhythm section wonderfully chronometric, but highly imaginative support. Overall this is a superbly composed and executed piece of Artistic music, which is a true joy to listen to, a uniquely genuine and mysterious kaleidoscope of sounds and ideas that is mind-boggling and utterly relaxing at the same time. This is definitely one of the most interesting albums that arrived on my desk in 2020. You certainly made good young Lady! Hats off!

Updated: 14/11/2020Posted: 14/11/2020

CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend

YUMI ITO ~ YSLA ENJA 7831 (Barcode: 767522783124) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 2022 Released: 2023 This is the fifth album by Polish / Japanese (resident in Switzerland) singer / songwriter Yumi ItoFind albums by this artist, one of the most exciting modern Jazz vocal discoveries in the last decade. The album was recorded in an intimate setting with Ito singing and playing keyboards with Polish bassist Jakub DworakFind albums by this artist and Spanish drummer Iago FernandezFind albums by this artist. Several other musicians guest on selected tracks, including Polish guitarist Szymon MikaFind albums by this artist, who was her partner on her previous album. The album presents seven original songs, all composed by Ito, with six also featuring her lyrics and one being a wordless vocalese. The CD is lavishly packaged with a set of photographs and lyrics printed on a high-grade paper, as appropriate for a move to a major league of EnjaFind albums on this label Records – one of the most prestigious European labels. From the very first note of the album the listener is exposed to a magical aura of unique, delicate beauty, which last for the entire duration. The seven songs, although dominated by reflection and low-key introvert restrain, are quite different from each other and present the full creative power of Ito, who is able to write sublime melodies and tell a story, each very personal on one hand, and universal in its lyricism, on the other hand. The completely unique instrumental ornamentation, based primarily on the bass pulsations by Dworak, who does an amazing job here, and the dynamic, yet delicate drumming by Fernandez, with just some keyboard / synthesizer layers of sound here and there. This leaves the center stage for Ito’s vocal acrobatics, which are absolutely stunning but at the same time she can also be as delicate and romantic as a blossoming orchard. The music on this album is probably the farthest removed from what is considered as Jazz in Ito’s career. Still full of typical Jazzy undercurrents and rhythmic patterns, the central role of the bass, as well as the vocal improvisations, it also freely adopts other sources, mostly from Folklore and Pop, sometimes sounding somewhat similar to Kate BushFind albums by this artist at her absolutely best – which I mean as a great compliment here. Overall, this is a stunning piece of music, full of sublime musicality and exploding with talent, which in fact is hardly surprising in view of Ito’s earlier work and potential. The only small drawback is that the music lasts under forty minutes, and being so great one might have wished for so much more. But let’s be patient and wait for the next album by this young Artist, all made out of talent. Hugs and congratulations my Dear Lady!

Updated: 15/02/2023Posted: 15/02/2023

CD 1 Mini-Sleeve Recommend To A Friend

YUMI ITO / SZYMON MIKA ~ EKUAL HEVHETIA 0217 (Barcode: 8588005258982) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 2019 Released: 2021 This is the debut album by the duo comprising of Polish - Japanese (resident in Switzerland) vocalist / songwriter Yumi ItoFind albums by this artist and Polish Jazz guitarist / composer Szymon MikaFind albums by this artist. The album presents seven original songs (with lyrics in English) written or co-written by the duo members. Both Ito and Mika have already several earlier recordings to their credit and their work together goes back a while, but this is the first opportunity to get exposed to their intimate work as a duo, which is highly unique and stunningly beautiful. The vocal parts and the guitar work are completely idiosyncratic, and combined together manage to create an aura of mysticism and tranquility combined, which is nothing less than mesmerizing. Ito uses the entire range of the vocal Jazz spectrum, moving between lyrics and wordless vocalese with ease and elegance. Mika is an absolute wizard when touching his guitar strings, creating a semi-acoustic / semi-electric tonality, which is unconventional and highly effective. Despite the relative “nakedness” of this music, the result sparks with sounds and ideas, which leaves the listener dazed by the combined effect of just two “instruments”. It is the intimacy of their work as a duo that reflects the individual strengths of the two young musicians, proving that they indeed are two of a perfect pair. Overall, this is a superb album, perhaps not really surprising to those, who had the opportunity to listen to the duo live, like yours truly, but the “sterility” of the studio environment proves to work in favor of this particular effort. It is obvious that this pair has a lot more to offer in the future, so I am already impatiently waiting for their post-Covid-19 work, as this album definitely leaves everybody with a desire to hear more. Thanks for the beautiful music!

Updated: 02/11/2021Posted: 02/11/2021

CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend

YUMI ITO / YVES THEILER ~ YPSILON FOR WHAT ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 2017 Released: 2017 This is the second album by the duo comprising of Polish / Japanese (resident in Switzerland) Jazz vocalist Yumi ItoFind albums by this artist and Swiss Jazz pianist Yves TheilerFind albums by this artist. The album presents six original compositions, three each by Ito and Theiler. The intimate duo setting is ideal to emphasize the phenomenal vocal abilities of Ito, who performs mostly using vocalese and overdubs her vocals most effectively. Only two of the compositions feature short lyrics, so most of the vocal performances are purely wordless. She offers an incredible range and sensitivity, which will come to full bloom in her later albums, but this early recording is charming in its naiveté and directness, but already clearly shows her unconventional approach and courage to exit beyond traditional vocal Jazz norms. Theiler is an excellent partner as accompanist but also plays excellent solo piano parts, which are very lyrical and melodious. Together the duo is an embodiment of the Jazz “Art of the Duo” idiom. All the compositions are interesting and also well beyond straightforward mainstream, but not totally Free Form, which enables the music to be accessible to all well trained Jazz listeners. Overall, this is a wonderful and sadly quite obscure album, which deserves to be heard, especially by unconventional vocal Jazz lovers. Therefore, I highly recommend to make an effort and get hold of a copy of this little gem, which is definitely worth the attention of true Jazz lovers!

Updated: 23/04/2023Posted: 23/04/2023

CD 1 Mini-Sleeve Recommend To A Friend