Record Reviews

KUBA PLUZEK ~ FIRST ALBUM V 003 (Barcode: 5903111377021) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 2012 Released: 2014 This is the debut album by young Polish Jazz pianist / composer Kuba PluzekFind albums by this artist, recorded partly in a trio setting with bassist Max MuchaFind albums by this artist and drummer Dawid FortunaFind albums by this artist and partly as a quartet which adds saxophonist Marek PospieszalskiFind albums by this artist to the trio. The album presents seven original compositions, all by Pluzek, three of which are parts of an extended three-part suite. After just a few moments it becomes immediately apparent that this is a very unusual album in every respect. The music is simply "different" from anything else one usually hears on a Jazz recording today. It is melodic, but the melody is often quite elusive; it is rhythmic, but the rhythm keeps changing constantly; it dresses up as modern mainstream, but in fact it is almost completely Free at times. All those factors create a confusing haze at the first exposure, but very soon it all begins to make a perfect sense. However, this music never rests and keeps an attentive listener on his toes at all times, as anything can and most probably will happen while this music evolves. The individual performances are all first rate, which is hardly surprising to people familiar with the Polish Jazz scene and previous recordings by the musicians involved, except the leader of course, who is a novice. Surprisingly it is the saxophonist that gets the most exposure and his convulsive solos fit the music perfectly. Pluzek plays along splendidly, arm in arm with the rhythm section, inserting complex chords and odd timed vamps, but he solos sparingly and when he does play solos, those are rather minimalistic as far as the number of separate notes present, being more chords oriented. Even on the trio pieces the bass and drums seem to bee actually often busier than the piano, which sort of "leads from behind". The bass / drums team plays a much more significant role in this particular music than usually in Jazz, as the music is mostly based on a vamping pattern that is held and driven by them. Both instruments are recorded with strong presence and high up in the mix, which also adds to the overall sonic "strangeness". They both do a splendid job for sure. It seems that the leader wanted to present a team effort rather than boast his ego, which is commendable and honorable. Overall this is a very impressive album, which of course is very rare these days, as it becomes more and more difficult to be unique, inventive and yes, impressive. Considering that we are talking about a debut, this is even more important. It is difficult to say if Pluzek will indeed become the great hope of Polish Jazz, as the PR material accompanying this album announces, but he certainly enters the ring with a bang; only time will tell, of course, but he deserves our best wishes. Well done indeed!

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ROOSTERS ~ FIRST ALBUM / SECOND ALBUM (EXPANDED EDITION) HED ARZI 64540 (Barcode: 7293372454097) ~ ISRAEL ~ Pop & Rock Recorded: 1961 - 1963 Released: 2005 This album collects the entire recording output by the legendary Israeli ensemble The RoostersFind albums by this artist (HaTarnegolim in Hebrew), which was the absolute "super-group" of the first generation of the Israeli entertainment scene in the early 1960s. The group was directed by Naomi PolaniFind albums by this artist, a strict and tyrannical but highly professional and talented artistic director, who managed to bring the ensemble to incredible tightness, with perfect vocal harmonies and theatrical presentation of their repertoire, which was years ahead of its time and far better and more ambitious that anything else created in the country at the time. The songs performed by the group were composed by the best Israel songwriters at the lime, like Moshe VilenskiFind albums by this artist and Alexander ArgovFind albums by this artist, and in time became an integral part of the Israeli cultural Pantheon. The ensemble had two lineups, each recording just one album, both are included here. The list of the ensemble members reads like the who´s who of the Israeli entertainment history and includes also their accordion player Tuval PeterFind albums by this artist, an incredibly talented musician, who singlehandedly accompanied the singers during their performances. The music is very hard to categorize, as it is truly a uniquely Israeli mixture of Eastern European song motifs, French chansonette, Middle Eastern melancholy and many other influences. These were the days when the country of Israel, the Israeli Nation and Israeli culture were being created, from scratch. The ensemble and its music had an enormous influence on the future of Israeli music, which was lucky to have such firm ground to learn from and emulate. This is timeless music of course, which lost absolutely nothing of its beauty, perfection and strength over the years. A classic!

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RAY WARLEIGH ~ FIRST ALBUM SUNBEAM 5020 (Barcode: 5051125502011) ~ UK ~ Jazz Recorded: 1968 Released: 2006 Australian born saxophonist / flautist / composer Ray WarleighFind albums by this artist was one of the busiest musicians on the British Jazz scene in the late 1960s. He was not only playing at the regular Jazz venues around London, but was also a member of the backup group of singer Scott WalkerFind albums by this artist, who was at the peak of his popularity at the time. Walker, although extremely successful as a Pop artists, had a keen musical ear and was trying to get away from the sugary Pop image by employing some of the best Jazz musicians at the time In his band, which was led by no other than the legendary Ronnie ScottFind albums by this artist. Walker used his influence with his label (PhilipsFind albums on this label) to offer a recording opportunity to some of the young and extremely talented musicians in the band, which led to the recording of this debut album by Ray Warleigh. Warleigh would become famous later for playing on album by the top Rock stars like Nick DrakeFind albums by this artist, Elton JohnFind albums by this artist, U2Find albums by this artist, Paul McCartneyFind albums by this artist and many more. The format chosen for this album was “Jazz & strings”, which suited Warleigh’s superbly clear and lyrical style perfectly. The chosen material (all standards) was beautifully arranged for a large string orchestra and a Jazz rhythm section, which included some of the best British Jazz players at the time, like Gordon BackFind albums by this artist on piano, Kenny NapperFind albums by this artist on bass and Terry CoxFind albums by this artist on drums. The resulting album is a stunning debut, beautifully executed by all the musicians involved, and showing Warleigh to be a world class player, who can improvise freely and yet always stay within the melodic line. Jazz & strings albums have a tendency to fall into the “land of saccharine” very easily, but fortunately this is well avoided here, producing a most enjoyable Jazz album full of integrity and showmanship. It’s great to have this forgotten gem back in circulation.

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