Record Reviews

RGG ~ AURA OKEH 888750176028 (Barcode: 888750176028) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 2014 Released: 2015 It is the seventh album by the fabulous Polish Jazz piano trio RGGFind albums by this artist and their second release following the dramatic replacement of their piano player, when the young pianist Lukasz OjdanaFind albums by this artist joined the ranks of the founding members: bassist Maciej GarbowskiFind albums by this artist and drummer Krzysztof GradziukFind albums by this artist. The album presents fourteen pieces, five of which were composed by Ojdana and three by Garbowski. The remaining six pieces are various Jazz, Pop and World Music compositions originating from external sources. The album was recorded again at the excellent Studio Tokarnia and engineered by Jan SmoczynskiFind albums by this artist, with spectacular sonic results. The music of RGG has been, since the very first recording, always in a state of continuous metamorphosis, perhaps more vital and noticeable than similar processes taking place in the works of other Polish Jazz ensembles. This album is no different and marks some giant steps towards creating a new Jazz aesthetic, which combines the tradition with modernism, freedom of expression and above all openness. The crucial factor is the decision to expand the scope of the music beyond the self composed material by the trio members, as well as present a larger number of relatively concise pieces, enabling a much wider scope of musical influences, stylistic variety and diversity. Of course the trio´s ability to perform these pieces in such an exquisite way is their primary achievement. The level of mutual support, respect and common bonding present between these three musicians is almost unprecedented. Reinforced by their individual talents, good taste and aesthetic vision, the overall power of expression demonstrated by the trio is simply overwhelming. With the international release of this album RGG have a chance to demonstrate that they are not only the best Polish Jazz piano trio, but also that they have but a few competitors elsewhere. The most astonishing effect of this music is the fact, that although large parts of it are quite difficult for an average listener, the trio manages to make the music sound inviting and even embracing. This of course means that music does not have to lower its aesthetic or intellectual level and be brutally whored in order to be accessible. This rare ability to remain uncompromisingly aloft musically and yet widely appreciated is precious. There is no doubt that this album immediately deserves the "classic" status, being placed on the pedestal of Polish Jazz recorded achievements. That means that it will sound as good as it does now for decades to come, which just a few albums are able to do, challenged by the passing of time. My wholehearted thanks to you, Gentlemen. Side Note: I am happy to have a tiny personal input in this album´s release. My enthusiastic reviews of the trio´s recorded output were part of the decision making process resulting in signing a contract with a major label and than I helped a bit to untangle some copyright complications, which postponed the release date for a while. All done for a good cause!

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend

DEE DEE BRIDGEWATER ~ DEE DEE`S FEATHERS OKEH 888750635327 (Barcode: 888750635327) ~ USA ~ Jazz Recorded: 2014 Released: 2015 American vocalist Dee Dee BridgewaterFind albums by this artist has been one of my favorite singers since many years. She never managed to disappoint me with any of her many recordings over the years and this one is no exception. In fact it is one of her best albums ever, which makes me truly happy. Bridgewater returns to the cradle of Jazz, New Orleans, singing many of the early Jazz standards and is accompanied by the New Orleans Jazz OrchestraFind albums by this artist, an 18 piece ensemble led by trumpeter Irvin MayfieldFind albums by this artist. Legendary New Orleans celebrity Dr. JohnFind albums by this artist appears as guest vocalist. The overall atmosphere of the album reflects the New Orleans Jazz of early 20th Century, updated to contemporary sonic standards. Bridgewater sings absolutely divinely from start to finish, be it lyrics or scat, and the superb orchestral arrangements and scorching solos build up to climaxed peaks, full of enthusiasm, energy and above all the love of music and life. This album is a great example of respect and love of tradition, which preserves the history of an Art Form. The fresh and contemporary arrangements leave enough of the original New Orleans stylistic idiosyncrasies to be distinctly recognizable. In that respect this album is not only great entertainment, but also an educational asset. In the last few days I played this album over and over and simply can´t get enough of it. My sincere advice to everybody is to grab this gem and plunge into the music head / heart first. Satisfaction guaranteed!

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend

BRANFORD MARSALIS ~ A LOVE SUPREME OKEH 888750690326 (Barcode: 888750690326) ~ USA ~ Jazz Recorded: 2003 Released: 2015 This is a live recording by the American saxophonist / composer Branford MarsalisFind albums by this artist and his quartet, which also includes pianist Joey CalderazzoFind albums by this artist, bassist Eric RevisFind albums by this artist and drummer Jeff WattsFind albums by this artist. The quartet performs the material originally recorded by the John ColtraneFind albums by this artist quartet entitled "A Love SupremeFind albums with this title", which in time achieved legendary status and is universally accepted as one of the very finest and most influential Jazz albums ever recorded. The album includes both the audio and video recording of a concert, which took place in Amsterdam in 2003, twelve years before it was released. The video also includes interviews with many musicians, including Coltrane´s wife Alice ColtraneFind albums by this artist and other bonus footage. Sometimes I am utterly speechless and the only thing to do is spread one´s arms and take a long look at the sky. Why on earth would anybody touch a sacred, universally admired piece of human Genius and mess with it is beyond me, especially a musician of the status of Branford Marsalis. What was he trying to do; to imitate, to improve, to re-think, to re-construct, to de-construct Coltrane´s music? Sadly none of the above is even remotely close to what is happening on this album, since actually nothing is happening. Four musicians play Coltrane´s music, without feeling, without passion, without respect… This album is an act of profanity as far as Coltrane´s memory is concerned, and an insult to Jazz. In the forty years of Jazz creativity that passed between the time Coltrane recorded this immortal music and the time Marsalis has his way with it were brutally dumped into the waste bin of Culture, as this album not only does not offer anything innovative about Coltrane´s music but trivializes it by pretentiously copying it. Perhaps this album is an epitome of American Jazz, which has been almost completely brain dead since Coltrane´s death and never managed to produce another Prophet of his magnitude. Many have tried, Marsalis among them, but none got even close. Some things are best left alone, and this album is a classic example of what happens when they are not. If you love, cherish and admire "A Love Supreme", please do not listen to this album!

CD+DVD 2 Recommend To A Friend

MICHEL CAMILO ~ WHAT`S UP? OKEH 888837039925 (Barcode: 888837039925) ~ USA ~ Jazz Recorded: 2013 Released: 2013 As hard as it is to believe, this is the first solo piano recording by pianist / composer Michel CamiloFind albums by this artist. Born in the Dominican Republic and resident in the US since 1979, Camilo released his debut album in 1985 and never looked back, recording a wide range of music ranging between Latin Jazz and contemporary Classical Music. He enjoyed success and recognition in the last three decades, which only very few artists, especially Jazz musicians, ever managed to achieve. This album includes eleven pieces, seven of which are his original compositions and the remaining four are standards. Musically they span a lot of quite diverse ground and stylistic approaches, changing tempi from slow ballads to fast honky tonk blues and Latin rhythms. Camilo handles the piano masterfully and with typical Latin flare. Every keystroke is exactly where it is expected to be time and again. Piano Jazz connoisseurs will find this as delightful as chocolate fondue, no doubt. On the other hand, Camilo´s original compositions are rather unremarkable and his treatment of the standards contributes little excitement in comparison to other Jazz piano players. So here we have it, brilliant piano playing but pretty straightforward music, which is pleasing and pretty, but hardly challenges the listener. All in all it´s always up to the listener, who needs to decide what exactly he´s looking for in music: entertainment or Art?

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend

NILS PETTER MOLVAER ~ SWITCH OKEH 888837477420 (Barcode: 888837477420) ~ NORWAY ~ Smooth Jazz Recorded: 2013 Released: 2014 Norwegian award winning trumpeter / composer Nils Petter MolvaerFind albums by this artist continues his stream of releases with this album recorded with fellow Norwegian musicians: drummer Erland DahlenFind albums by this artist, guitarist Geir SundstolFind albums by this artist, keyboardist Morten QvenildFind albums by this artist and sound engineer / programmer Jan Marius AareskjoldFind albums by this artist. The album includes ten original compositions, all (assumingly) by Molvaer. Following his association with the ECMFind albums on this label label, first with the excellent band MasqualeroFind albums by this artist and then as a solo artist recording two albums, he left ECM in pursue of a wider exposure and commercial success. The music is an amalgam of Jazz trumpet and electronics, Rock and ambient influences. The muted trumpet sound, derived from the late period Miles DavisFind albums by this artist sound, the melancholic and atmospheric melodic themes, typical of Scandinavian music and the ambient electronic soundscapes create an overall slick mixture, which is easily accessible by a wide range of audiences, aged between fifteen and eighty five, predominantly female. This album is quite similar to several Molvaer´s preceding albums and it is difficult to see any real progress or direction where this music is going. Although in the early days of his musical career Molvaer seemed to have a great potential and was seen as an upcoming force in European Jazz, his later career pushed him towards the role of a trumpet playing Kenny GFind albums by this artist, with a slightly more ambitious attitude. Of course there is nothing wrong with this kind of music per se, and with enjoying it. Personally I find it "much ado about nothing", but what do I know? I really tried to like it this time, but alas it is simply boring.

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend

JAMES BRANDON LEWIS ~ DIVINE TRAVELS OKEH 888837666428 (Barcode: 888837666428) ~ USA ~ Jazz Recorded: 2011 Released: 2014 This is the second album by young US saxophonist James Brandon LewisFind albums by this artist, recorded in a trio format with two veteran Free Jazz / Improvised Music activists: bassist William ParkerFind albums by this artist and drummer Gerald CleaverFind albums by this artist. The album presents ten original pieces, all credited the trio members. Two of the pieces include lyrics written by American poet Thomas Sayers EllisFind albums by this artist and recited by him. The music is a typical free form session with spontaneous improvisation being the focus of this date. It is difficult to guess how much of this music was preconceived or rehearsed in advance, but it seems as if not everything is left to spontaneity here. There are some short melody lines stated at the start of most of the pieces, but those are soon abandoned in favor of improvised sections, which don´t really have a clear purpose, sense of direction or emotional expression. Parker and Cleaver are of course recognized as some of the improvised scene leaders, but Lewis still has a long way to go. His improvisations are somewhat restricted in scope, tend to sound repetitious and display a very limited emotional range. As a result it is difficult for him to carry the weight of a whole album as the focal soloist. There is no "fire" and no "ice" in this music, just a lot of notes that manage to tingle the perception but fail to sink in. The attempt to create a Jazz & Poetry episode also remains rather unimposing, as it is only a "sidekick" and the music and words fails to create a bond that makes them something more that just word and notes uttered simultaneously. The only positive aspect of this album is the fact that it was released on the revitalized OkehFind albums on this label label, which is a subsidiary of SonyFind albums on this label Music. When I see a Free Jazz album released by a Major record label, this is a feast indeed. Hopefully Lewis will do better next time, as this is rather unimpressive.

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend