Record Reviews
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  | BEACH BOYS ~ FEEL FLOWS – THE SUNFLOWER & SURF`S UP SESSIONS 1969 - 1971 (SUPER DELUXE EDITION)
CAPITOL 602508802188 (Barcode: 602508802188) ~ USA ~ Classic Rock
Recorded: 1969 - 1993 Released: 2021
This is another mammoth 5CD Box Set expanded reissue of albums recorded by the legendary American Pop / Rock group The Beach BoysFind albums by this artist. The material includes mostly music recorded between 1969 and 1971, but some live recordings included here go as far as 1993. The vast majority of the material is previously unreleased. Here is more detailed information:
CD1 presents the album “SunflowerFind albums with this title” with twelve original tracks, six live versions of the songs from that album recorded over many years and nine bonus tracks.
CD2 presents the album “Surf`s UpFind albums with this title” with ten original tracks, five live versions of the songs from that album recorded over many years and nine bonus tracks.
CD3 presents nineteen tracks from the “Sunflower” sessions and additional ten a cappella tracks recorded between 1969 and 1971.
CD4 presents eleven tracks from the “Surf`s Up” sessions, seven a cappella tracks recorded during the “Surf`s Up” sessions and six additional various bonus tracks.
CD5 presents twenty-nine additional various bonus tracks.
Renowned for their sublime vocal harmonies and divine songwriting, mostly by Brian WilsonFind albums by this artist, The Beach Boys produced some of the finest American Pop / Rock music ever, which loses nothing of its power, beauty and Artistic vision over the time. They had few competitors at the time and of course the music shines brightly in comparison to the non-music that surrounds us today. Sadly, the material included here marks more or less the decline of their illustrious career, which would last just a couple of great albums (see the “Sail On Sailor - 1972Find albums with this title” Box Set), although Brian Wilson still produces great music today.
Overall, this Box Set is an obvious labor of love and a treasure trove of sublime timeless music. Although such detailed recording documents are perhaps most interesting to true fans of the group (those who are still with us, like myself), they are also extremely educative, to show the new generations what great music is all about. Personally, I love every second of those 5 CDs, which bring fond memories of times long gone. Nostalgia? Perhaps, but surely also way beyond…
| | Updated: 17/02/2024Posted: 17/02/2024 | CD 5 Digibook Box Set Remastered Bonus Tracks Essential Recommend To A Friend |
  | KROKE ~ FEELHARMONY
EMI 5099901770827 (Barcode: 5099901770827) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz-World Fusion
Recorded: 2012 Released: 2012
In autumn of 2011 I had the pleasure of being present at the opening concert of the Singer´s Warsaw Festival, which featured Poland´s most prominent World Music ensemble KrokeFind albums by this artist and their guest, superstar vocalist Anna Maria JopekFind albums by this artist. Jopek, who in recent years discovered World Music herself, as evident on her latest recordings, was nevertheless quite a surprising partner for Kroke, and considering she only landed in Warsaw a few hours before the concert and managed only a brief rehearsal with them, things were quite tense. But when the lights went out and the music started, it was obvious that magic was in the air that night and for the next two hours the audience was completely mesmerized. Obviously the very same magic prompted Kroke to include Jopek on this, their next studio album.
Kroke, which consists of viola player Tomasz KukurbaFind albums by this artist, accordionist Jerzy BawolFind albums by this artist and bassist Tomasz LatoFind albums by this artist, started in the early 1990s as a Klezmer band, one of numerous such bands established in Poland as a result of the Renaissance of the Jewish Culture in the country. They started to perform at Krakow´s old Jewish district Kazimierz, which became a fashionable tourist attraction, and in time their reputation grew. They were lucky to gain international attention and soon became the resident ethnic stars. In time they left Klezmer music almost entirely and embraced World Music originating in many different cultural spheres and added noticeable Jazz influence to their music.
For this album Kroke joined forces with, in addition to the a.m. Anna Maria Jopek, also the excellent drummer Slawomir BernyFind albums by this artist and pianist / composer / arranger Krzysztof HerdzinFind albums by this artist, who co-produced the album, composed and arranged some orchestral intros to the band´s music and conducted the Sinfonietta CracoviaFind albums by this artist, which performed the orchestral parts. The album presents twelve pieces, eleven of which are original compositions by the band´s members and one is by the pioneer of modern Klezmer music Harry KandelFind albums by this artist. As the title suggests, the band intended to "take a step" into a more "symphonic" sound for their music, utilizing the orchestra.
Unfortunately, intentions aside, the album fails to achieve the same level of excitement and spontaneous inspiration, which characterized the live concert I witnessed. Although Jopek delivers some superb vocal parts, they constitute only a small contribution to the entire project. The orchestral arrangements sound quite out of place in this case, turning the free spirit of World Music into a housebroken animal, which is a pity. Some things simply don´t go well together. Overall there is plenty of great music here and even if the album sounds very commercial at times, it was created by excellent musicians, who meant well.
| | | CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend |
  | BEN SIDRAN ~ FEEL YOUR GROOVE
ACADIA 8120 (Barcode: 805772812024) ~ USA ~ Classic Rock
Recorded: 1971 Released: 2006
Debut album by US keyboardist / vocalist Ben SidranFind albums by this artist, one of the greatest Jazz / Blues / Soul vocalists ever. Sidran originally worked in Rock (he was a member of the Steve Miller BandFind albums by this artist), but gradually moved away from Rock towards Jazz, where he made his real impact. He is a great keyboards player and his organ work is truly inspired. His warm voice is completely unique and he ranks among the top class vocalists like Tom WaitsFind albums by this artist and Van MorrisonFind albums by this artist. This album was recorded with many famous Rock and Jazz musicians and clearly sets the path for his future work. Considering the fact that it was unavailable for so many years, this is a most welcome reissue. Classic stuff!
| | | CD 1 Recommend To A Friend |
  | MICHAL ZABORSKI ~ FEELING EARTH
HEVHETIA 0189 (Barcode: 8588005258623) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz-Classical Fusion
Recorded: 2017 Released: 2019
This is the debut album as a leader by the Polish violist Michal ZaborskiFind albums by this artist, mostly recognized as a member of the Atom String QuartetFind albums by this artist, recorded with a quartet, which also includes pianist Nikola KolodziejczykFind albums by this artist, bassist Maciej SzczycinskiFind albums by this artist and drummer Michal BryndalFind albums by this artist. The album presents seven original compositions, all by Zaborski and the music was recorded at the excellent Studio Tokarnia and engineered by Jan SmoczynskiFind albums by this artist.
With the viola in the lead, the quartet produces a noticeably "different" sound than one expects from a Jazz recording, and indeed this music, although Jazz oriented, includes also strongly noticeable additional influences, such as Classical and Folklore music, which are immediately apparent from the onset. The compositions are all deeply melancholic and mostly low key, emphasizing a strong melodic presence, with the themes stated by the viola at the beginning of each piece and than gently carried on by the fragile piano and viola improvised parts. The piano is a tad too busy at times, but not extravagantly so. The rhythm section keeps things to bare minimum, with the bass pulsating in the background and playing a few beautifully melodic soli and the drums steady and barely audible at times.
And yet the music has an irresistible charm to it, a magical flow that keeps the listener mesmerized for the duration of the album, taking him from one piece to the next as if hypnotized. In spite of the minimalist outcome produced by the musicians, the music does not seem to be missing anything and is perfectly rounded and whole. The music is kept mostly on a relaxed level with little dynamics displayed along the way, which could be considered a bit indistinguishable, but easily forgiven.
Personally I really enjoyed the music, although I suspect some listeners will find it a bit "too pretty" and altogether lacking the "kick" Jazz enthusiasts expect to hear in the music. There is no doubt Zaborski is a virtuoso and his performances here as every bit as strong as on his numerous earlier recording. His compositions are heavily influenced by Polish Folklore music and his Classical Music background, which he openly admits in his music, not trying to make it sound more Jazzy than it rally is.
Overall this is a very unique album, different from most of the output arriving on the Polish Jazz scene, and also different from the material Zaborski records with the Atoms, showing another facet of his musical personality. A Gentle Giant by all means, who can weave beautiful melodies and share them with his listeners with obvious love and modesty.
| | Updated: 07/10/2019Posted: 07/10/2019 | CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend |
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