Record Reviews
16 Reviews Found. Use search to find more reviews or follow the links in the review text.
  | AFTER CRYING ~ EARTH AND SKY
PERIFERIC 002 (Barcode: 5998272700023) ~ HUNGARY ~ Progressive Rock
Recorded: 1994 Released: 1994
3rd album by the brilliant Hungarian Prog band After CryingFind albums by this artist, very much in the same vein as the earlier efforts. One you fell in love with this group, every one of their albums becomes a deeply moving experience you want to repeat again and again. An absolute must!
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  | BILL BRUFORD / TIM GARLAND ~ EARTHWORKS UNDERGROUND ORCHESTRA
SUMMERFOLD 013 ~ UK ~ Jazz
As most of Bill BrufordFind albums by this artist’s recorded work in the last years comes in the form of his EarthworksFind albums by this artist quartet it is delightful to hear the Master drummer in a small Big Band setting (a nonet to be precise). Recorded live at the New York Iridium Club in 2004, the group comprises of Bruford and his fellow Earthworks saxophonist Tim GarlandFind albums by this artist with a wonderful gathering of excellent American jazzmen. The material includes new arrangements of music previously recorded by different Earthworks line-ups. There is a lot of energy and superb musicianship present, with extended solos and heated interplays. Obviously they had a gas playing together, which is an essential ingredient in the process of music making. The sound quality is very good, with proper balance between the horns and they rhythm section. Definitely recommended to the many Bruford fans and anyone who enjoys good jazz.
Individually numbered Limited Edition (of 3000) including a bonus CD
| | | CD 2 Recommend To A Friend |
  | EARTH AND FIRE ~ EARTH AND FIRE
UNIVERSAL JAPAN 9462 ~ NETHERLANDS ~ Progressive Rock
1st album from 1969 by this legendary Dutch group, who were considered a continental answer to Pink Floyd and Genesis. This debut album is still very psychedelic and starting with the next one they will enter the Prog genre proper. Led by the Koerts brothers: Chris (guitars) and Gerard (keyboard) and fronted by singer Jerney Kaagman, Earth and Fire were surely on of the most interesting European groups. Roger Dean cover!
Limited Edition
| | | CD 1 Mini-Sleeve Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend |
  | EARTH OPERA ~ EARTH OPERA
WOUNDED BIRD 4016 ~ USA ~ Progressive Rock
1st album from 1968. Earth Opera were one of those obscure US proto-prog bands that made a couple of great albums and disappeared. Coming from a folk backgroud, they embraced the (then) new psychedelic influence to the max and their debut album is an icon of its time. Some great tunes here and very good playing which make this a most enjoyable listen today.
| | | CD 1 Recommend To A Friend |
  | JAROMIR HONZAK ~ EARTH LIFE
CUBE / METIER 20-09 (Barcode: 8591562000093) ~ CZECH REPUBLIC ~ Jazz
Recorded: 1998 Released: 2000
This is the second album as a leader by Czech bassist / composer Jaromir HonzakFind albums by this artist, recorded with two Polish Jazz musicians: saxophonist Piotr BaronFind albums by this artist and pianist Kuba StankiewiczFind albums by this artist, Czech guitarist David DoruzkaFind albums by this artist and Spanish drummer Jorge RossyFind albums by this artist. Three guests are featured on selected tracks. The album presents eight pieces, seven of which are original compositions by Honzak and one is a Thelonious MonkFind albums by this artist standard. The album´s liner notes were written by my Friend and Mentor Lubomir DoruzkaFind albums by this artist.
During his studies at the Berklee College of Music in Boston Honzak met fellow students Stankiewicz and Rossy and invited them to take part in this recording. Stankiewicz brought over Baron and Honzak invited David Doruzka (only eighteen years old at the time of the recording), a promising young musician and future Berklee student, an association that would flourish for years to come.
Already at this early stage of his career, Honzak proves his strength as a composer and each of the original compositions presented here are exceptionally well written and coherent, already showing the European musical aesthetics and avoiding the dominance of the Bebop tradition. The beautiful harp / bass duo closing piece and the delicate piano trio and vocalese piece are superb examples of the forthcoming inspirations, which will dominate Honzak´s compositional palette.
However the Berklee schooling and American Jazz tradition can be more clearly heard in the way the music is performed on the straightforward quartet numbers, but even those are spiced by Baron´s fiery almost-free soloing and superb piano touches by Stankiewicz.
Overall this is a wonderful early recording by Honzak, which is definitely worth of being discovered, even some twenty-two years after it was recorded. The music proves to be timeless and the heartfelt execution still manages to excite. Like great wine, this music ages well over time…
| | Updated: 29/12/2023Posted: 26/10/2020 | CD 1 Recommend To A Friend |
  | WOJCIECH JACHNA SQUAD ~ EARTH
AUDIO CAVE 2022/002 (Barcode: 5908298549407) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz
Recorded: 2021 Released: 2022
This is the second album by the Polish Jazz ensemble Wojciech Jachna SquadFind albums by this artist led by trumpeter / composer Wojciech JachnaFind albums by this artist and including also guitarist Marek MalinowskiFind albums by this artist, keyboardist Jacek CichockiFind albums by this artist, bassist Pawel UrowskiFind albums by this artist and drummer Mateusz KrawczykFind albums by this artist. The album presents seven original compositions, two composed by Urowski, two co-composed by all five members of the ensemble and one each by Jachna, Cichocki and Malinowski.
The music seems to follow a somewhat different path than the debut album, being distinctly tamer and well-behaved than the debut. Lyrical melodic themes, gentle melancholic trumpet parts, synthesizer / moog ambient harmonic background layers, Fusiony guitar and steady rhythmic pulse are definitely not what one expects to hear on a Jachna album, but everybody has the freedom to change and evolve, and Jachna definitely does not need to prove anything to anybody anymore, being a master of his own music destiny.
Of course here and there the music features some less polite moments and even almost free improvisations, which are a link to the familiar past, especially so on the group co-composed improvisation pieces but also partly in the other pieces. Personally I find this to be the most ambitious aspect of this album, but of course Jachna has already proved himself well beyond any doubt in that specific direction.
Overall, this is, as always, an excellent album, probably the most accessible Jachna recording ever, but without any compromises aesthetically, artistically or creatively. The Squad manages to establish a distinctive sound and ambience as an ensemble, which of course is no less important. Despite the fact that this music more caresses than bites, it is still amongst the finest on the Polish Jazz scene. Well done!
| | Updated: 24/02/2022Posted: 24/02/2022 | CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend |
  | KAMPEC DOLORES ~ EARTH MOTHER SKY FATHER
A38 006 ~ HUNGARY ~ Progressive Rock
Recorded: 2005 Released: 2005
7th album by excellent Hungarian group Kampec DoloresFind albums by this artist, which spearheads the East European Avant Rock / Prog movement for many years. The bands two founding members are vocalist Gabi KenderesiFind albums by this artist, and guitarist / composer Csaba HajnoczyFind albums by this artist, with the other members of the band changing from time to time, many of which come from the ranks of Hungarian Jazz players. They play a wonderfully weird mixture of Avant Rock / RIO / Prog, mixed with ethnic elements, Jazz improvisation and Contemporary Classical tools. This music is impossible to describe verbally, as each tune takes the listener to a different sonic landscape. The overall surreal atmosphere is fascinating and mesmerizing, sometime quite difficult for the untrained ear, but there is no dull moment anywhere. This stuff is heavenly for more advanced listeners open to new musical vistas, but might prove to complex for an inexperienced listener. Definitely an ear opener and worth investigating!
| | | CD 1 Recommend To A Friend |
  | KING CRIMSON ~ EARTHBOUND
VIRGIN KC 11 ~ UK ~ Progressive Rock
5th album from 1972. Live recordings documenting the final days of KC version one, here as a quartet (Fripp, Collins, Boz, Wallace). Although the group was in disarray, the music was still memorable. The original vinyl edition suffered from very poor sound quality, which was greatly improved by the remastering process.
30th Anniversary Edition
| | | CD 1 HDCD Oversampling Remastered Recommend To A Friend |
  | MINIM ~ EARTH
KOLD (Barcode: 7427137119598) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz
Recorded: 2019 Released: 2020
This is the second album by Polish Jazz quartet MinimFind albums by this artist (previously named Minim ExperimentFind albums by this artist) comprising of guitarist / composer Kuba WojcikFind albums by this artist, keyboardist Kamil PiotrowiczFind albums by this artist, bassist Andrzej SwiesFind albums by this artist and drummer Albert KarchFind albums by this artist and featuring the renowned experimental Tuvan singer Sainkho NamtchylakFind albums by this artist. The album presents nine original compositions, five of which were composed by Wojcik, two were improvised, one was co-composed by Wojcik and Piotrowicz and one was composed by Karch. Namtchylak added some improvised lyrics.
The music is absolutely unique, to some extent continuing the ideas put forth on the debut, but exploring many new dimensions obviously inspired by the strong personality of Namtchylak and her vast experience. The result is an absolutely innovative amalgam of cross-genre music making, encompassing such diverse explorations as electronics, World Music, Avant-Garde, Jazz, Rock and a pleiad of other named and unnamed genres and sub-genres, all intermixed into a kaleidoscope of sounds, which is irresistibly beautiful.
There is no doubt that the meeting between Minim and Namtchylak creates a result that is greater than just a sum of its ingredients. Namtchylak´s extended discography created in the last thirty years includes dozens of albums, but this recording definitely belongs to the very best of her outings. The wonderful fact is that she is carefully avoiding dominating the proceedings here despite her repute, allowing full freedom to the "youngsters" to state their ideas and by herself contributing only when appropriate.
Minim present the individual talents of its members on this album, with beautifully lyrical piano parts by Piotrowicz, brilliant bass parts by Swies who turns out to be ready to step beyond the mainstream with Mastery and incredible feel, unusual and innovating guitar parts and superb compositional skills by Wojcik and highly imaginative drumming by Karch, who turns out to be one of the leading Polish young generation stick men; in short these guys are definitely worth being followed.
This album is certainly one of the most interesting recordings released on the Polish scene in 2020, which suffered, as did the entire world, from the pandemic, which resulted in almost completely silencing many of the creative forces this year. As such, it offers hope and anticipation for great things to come in the future for all uncompromising, searching and open-minded Artistic minds. Music knows no borders and this album attest to this fact more convincingly that most other efforts, fully deserving our praise and gratitude. Hats off Lady and Gentlemen!
| | Updated: 01/01/2021Posted: 01/01/2021 | CD 1 Mini-Sleeve Recommend To A Friend |
  | GRAHAM NASH ~ EARTH & SKY
MAGIC 3700139305003 (Barcode: 3700139305003) ~ UK ~ Classic Rock
Recorded: 1979 Released: 2001
This is the third solo album by British singer / songwriter Graham NashFind albums by this artist, one of the greatest Classic Rock icons of all times. Nash maintained a more or less steady solo career in parallel to his activity as a member of Crosby & NashFind albums by this artist, Crosby, Stills & NashFind albums by this artist and Crosby, Stills, Nash & YoungFind albums by this artist. The album presents ten original songs, all written (music and lyrics) by Nash with one song co-written with American singer / songwriter / multi-instrumentalist Joe VitaleFind albums by this artist, who also plays on the album. The numerous musicians who took part in recording of the album include also bassist Tim DrummondFind albums by this artist, keyboardist Craig DoergeFind albums by this artist and guitarist David LindleyFind albums by this artist. David CrosbyFind albums by this artist plays guitar on one tune and sings backing vocals on two and Stephen StillFind albums by this artist plays guitar on one tune.
The album offers an excellent collection of typical Nash songs, based on wonderful melodic motifs and supported by intelligent and often politically oriented lyrics. The superb team of musicians creates a wonderful example of Classic Rock atmosphere, which by the time this album was released was almost completely abandoned by the music scene. The album is full of excellent instrumental performances and superb soloing, in addition to heartwrenching lead vocal parts by Nash himself.
In retrospect this is one of the strongest solo efforts by Nash and the fact that it is almost completely forgotten these days is a crying shame. It serves as a closing chapter of the 1970s for Nash´s solo career, which except for the relatively less important mid 1980s album "Innocent Eyes" will have to wake for more than a coupe of decades to flourish again.
For the many Nash fans, this forgotten gem is definitely worth to be revisited, although it is not easy to be found. Listening to it almost four decades after it was released was a joyful experience for me, which I recommend to all Classic Rock fans. They don´t make music like this any more and since the mold is almost lost, let´s keep this music alive as long as we can!
| | Updated: 18/11/2018Posted: 18/11/2018 | CD 1 Remastered Recommend To A Friend |
  | PASSPORT ~ EARTHBORN
WOUNDED BIRD 8034 ~ GERMANY ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion
1982 album. With a new keyboards player and the original drummer (Curt Cress) back, Passport deliver another collection of great fusion tunes performed flawlessly. Considering tha quality of music in the 80`s, which was really quite unbearable, they managed to stay on track on record albums without compromising the quality one iota.
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  | ROCKET SCIENTISTS ~ EARTH BELOW AND SKY ABOVE
THINK TANK 1019 ~ USA ~ Progressive Rock
Recorded: 1977 Released: 1977
3rd album by Rocket ScientistsFind albums by this artist, an excellent live album, which includes many of the compositions from their first two albums. This is an important US Prog band lead by the keyboards player Erik NorlanderFind albums by this artist. His abilities are very well complemented by the other band`s members and this is a prime example of what a great symphonic Prog show is all about - energy, virtuosity and good music.
| | | CD 1 Recommend To A Friend |
  | KATE WESTBROOK ~ EARTH FELT THE WOUND
WESTBROOK 006 (Barcode: 5052442017929) ~ UK ~ Avant-Garde Jazz-Rock Fusion
Recorded: 2018 - 2020 Released: 2020
This is the second album by British Jazz vocalist / lyricist Kate WestbrookFind albums by this artist, recorded with a septet called The Granite BandFind albums by this artist, which also includes her husband / pianist / composer Mike WestbrookFind albums by this artist, saxophonist Roz HardingFind albums by this artist, guitarists Jesse MolinsFind albums by this artist and Matthew NorthFind albums by this artist, bassist Billie BottleFind albums by this artist (who also adds some vocals and keyboards) and drummer Coach YorkFind albums by this artist. The album presents twelve tracks, all but three composed by Mike Westbrook with lyrics, all but four written by Kate Westbrook.
Musically the album is a continuation of its predecessor “Granite”, with a Fusiony, almost Rocky electric sound, superbly performed by the instrumentalists. The subject matter of the lyrics remains as serious as they come, concentrating on the imminent environmental disasters that face us and our planet. Using French, German and Italian texts, as usual, Kate expands the dramatic delivery, which her voice suits perfectly. The music and lyrics generate an effect of a post-apocalyptic theatre performance, definitely not for the weak hearted.
Of course everything works out superbly and despite the morose atmosphere the album is a tour de force from start to finish, which of course should not surprise anybody familiar with the work of the Westbrooks, which basically stays on the same aesthetic platform since decades. They are a phenomenon, which is absolutely unique, although clearly connected to the legacy of Berthold BrechtFind albums by this artist and Kurt WeillFind albums by this artist and other European Avant-Gardists, who saw music / theatre / poetry / dance as an organic artistic body of human creativity.
Overall, this is another masterpiece by the Westbrooks, who seem to be completely immune to time and its tides, ignoring fads and fashions and simply doing their own unique thing. Their legacy is a treasure chest of European culture, which is timeless and universal, always ahead of their time and contemporary. An absolute Godsend and a must to any serious music lover!
| | Updated: 08/08/2022Posted: 08/08/2022 | CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend |
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