Jazzis Web Shop News 11/2007

ALBUM

Today’s addition is the last of the first period classic albums by French group Zao:

3^rd album by the superb French ensemble Zao. Following the recording of the first two albums, the two leaders, Yochk`o Seffer and François Cahen, decided to expand the musical scope of the group by adding a string quartet and writing some music which would combine the jazzy elements they explored earlier with some classically influenced orchestration. To emphasize the diversity of the two approaches, the decision was to find an all-female string quartet, which would complete the all-male group and balance the overall result. The Quatuor Margand, a seasoned string quartet, which had previous experience of working with jazz musicians, was chosen to work with Zao and they performed together and recorded this great album. The group also changed the bass player and Gerard Prevost fitted the bill perfectly with his pulsating approach, playing electric bass. Pierre Guignon was added on percussion to complete the nonet. The resulting ensemble was absolutely amazing, playing music aeons ahead of their time, which probably was the reason that even in France, which was always open to avant-garde, they had a tough time to find gigs. This led eventually to the inevitable breakdown of this unique lineup. The use of strings would however continue, with the young violin prodigy Didier Lockwood joining the group for their next lineup. The album remains an extraordinary example of European avant-garde Fusion and remains as fascinating as it was at the time of its recording.

JAZZIS WEB SHOP

Massive restocking – check your Waiting List.

HAVE FUN!

ALBUM

Today’s addition is an album by German Prog band Solar Project:

7^th album by the German Prog band Solar Project, led by Robert Valet (keyboards) and Peter Terhoeven (guitars). The band uses an ad hoc lineup for each of its releases, this time adding three members and creating a powerful sound. The band bases its music on the work of the legendary Pink Floyd, but they are not a typical tribute band. They did contribute some Pink Floyd tracks to various tribute albums, but their own albums include original music only, obviously inspired by their mentors. This album is a concept album dealing (as the title suggests) with the meaning of colors. The music is interesting and the long tracks (one being over 15 minutes) have plenty of space to develop and feature extended instrumental solos. The overall atmosphere is very Pink Floyd influenced, but definitely not to the extent of being plagiarist. People who love Pink Floyd will find this right up their alley, others might just like them for what they are.

JAZZIS WEB SHOP

Normal activity.

HAVE FUN!

ALBUM

Today’s addition is the last of the Miles Davis box-sets still missing on my site, strangely enough is the first of the set of 8 box-sets:

This is the 1^st chapter in the Columbia’s epic series of Miles Davis Box Sets, which is a monumental reissue project of recordings by the most important Jazz musician of the 20th century. Recorded between October 1955 and March 1961 the music includes everything Miles recorded for Columbia with his legendary first quintet and sextet. John Coltrane, Cannonball Adderley and Hank Mobley on saxes, Bill Evans, Red Garland and Wynton Kelly on piano, Paul Chambers on bass and Philly Joe Jones and Jimmy Cobb on drums are the protagonists on these legendary sessions, creating this heavenly music, under the Master’s spiritual leadership. The music included here appeared on the albums: “’Round About Midnight”, “Milestones”, “Kind Of Blue” and “Someday My Prince Will Come”, as well as on numerous compilation albums released later. There is little that I need to say about the music herein, as almost every Jazz lover is acquainted with at least the “Kind Of Blue” album, being the most widely sold Jazz recording of all times. The combination of the geniuses of Miles and Trane turn these sessions into a fundamental and quintessential Jazz experience, which serves as a model for all generations of Jazzman to come. Both of them were constantly on a spiritual quest to expand both their performing skills, taking them beyond the humanly possible, as well as crossing musical planes uncharted and visionary. Although created by humans, this music is worthy of Gods and should it have happened a few thousands of years earlier, it would be probably heard on the mount Olympus. I simply can’t imagine anybody not owning this music and listening to it repeatedly, as it is timeless and everlasting. Beyond essential!

JAZZIS WEB SHOP

Normal activity.

HAVE FUN!

ALBUM

Today’s addition is a new album by Israeli jazz prodigy, the now 9 years old Ariel Lanyi:

2^nd album by Israeli Jazz prodigy Ariel Lanyi, 9 years old at the time this music was recorded. This time completely alone at the piano, without any guidance from his older peers, Ariel displays his exceptional talent even more forcefully then on his debut album. Out of the 10 tracks on this album, 7 are his own compositions / improvisations and just 3 are standards (by Duke Ellington, John Coltrane and John Lennon / Paul McCartney). I really don’t know what to say here, except that this is scary stuff, when a 9 years old person displays the maturity and skills worthy of a fully grown up and accomplished musician. There are no gimmicks here, none whatsoever. Just the kid, his piano and the unbelievable music he makes. There is no way on earth (or above) that anybody listening to this music blindfolded could have guessed the age of the performer. I’m not a sappy sentimentalist, who looks for divine sources for inspiration, but there must be some kind of divine intervention here at work. The stuff Ariel can do at his current age are often never achieved by people ten times older then him who played piano their entire life. I know you don’t believe me – no problem – just listen.

JAZZIS WEB SHOP

Normal activity.

HAVE FUN!

ALBUM

Today’s addition is a first in a series of new South American Prog / Fusion additions, as usual all including exceptional music:

These live recordings are the only available document of the legendary Brazilian 1970s Prog / Fusion band Som Nosso De Cada Dia. Following the release of their debut album “Snegs” in 1974, the band embarked upon intensive touring and performances, but the lack of commercial success, lack of interest from record labels, etc. (the usual hardships of 1970s Prog artists) led to internal frictions and four years after the band was formed it disbanded and disappeared from the scene. The band recorded their 2^nd legendary album “Amazônia” in 1975, which was picked by CBS Brazil, but released only two years as “Som Nosso” with intensive overdubs and remix, completely changing the original masterpiece into a commercial funk album. These live recordings present the group in its full glory playing their great material, including the full original version of the “Amazônia” suite. Most of the tracks are extensive instrumental improvisations, mostly over 10 minutes long and one over 17 minutes long, which show the virtuosity of the players. The double keyboards line and exceptional spacey lead guitar offer endless peaks of energy floating somewhere between early Pink Floyd and Weather Report. This is fantastic music and in spite of the technical flaws of the recording every fan of good music should be grateful this is available for us to enjoy. Most warmly recommended!

JAZZIS WEB SHOP

Massive restocking of South American material – Check your Waiting List.

HAVE FUN!

ALBUM

Today’s addition is the next item in a series of new South American Prog / Fusion additions, as usual all including exceptional music:

2^nd album by excellent Peruvian Prog band Flor De Loto, led by flautist Johnny Pérez and guitarist Alonso Herrera, both of whom also write all the music. The quartet also includes bassist Alejandro Jarrin and drummer Jorge Puccini. Following the footsteps set by their stunning eponymous debut album, the band delivers again a set of beautiful melodic tunes, kept in the tradition of the 1970s Prog and naturally bringing warm memories of bands like Jethro Tull and Focus. Is spite of the past influences, the band is completely original and up to date, combining the Prog tendencies with their native Andean music in a most sophisticated fashion. Only three of the ten tunes include vocals with the band concentrating on their splendid instrumental work. Listening to this album is a truly uplifting experience, with immediate craving for their next release. Of course the fact that they come from Peru only adds to the impression that the most interesting Prog in the 21^st Century seems to be happening in South America. Most warmly recommended!

JAZZIS WEB SHOP

Normal activity.

HAVE FUN!

ALBUM

Today’s addition is the last (so far) item in a series of new South American Prog / Fusion additions, as usual all including exceptional music:

1^st album by young Chilean Fusion band Prisma X, an instrumental quintet fronted by two lead guitarists Felipe Moroni and José Tomás Mujica, with Mauricio Nader on keyboards, Carlos Martínez on bass and Eduardo Moroni on drums. The band plays a stunning set of beautifully melodic guitar oriented Fusion, with both guitarists displaying their talent and sensitivity to the outmost. Although the music is original and well constructed, stylistically the music brings fond memories of the best work by Alan Holdsworth and Joe Satriani. The overall effect is pretty astounding, as one does not expect to hear such up-to-date sound and musical approach coming from outside the music centers of the world, but apparently geography has nothing to do with it. Those young Chileans prove beyond any reasonable doubt that music knows no boundaries and talent is omnipresent on this planet. This album is a heaven on earth for all guitar freaks and Fusion heads. Considering how hard it is to find anything decent in these areas lately, this is a breath of fresh air an absolute must. Highly recommended!

JAZZIS WEB SHOP

Normal activity.

HAVE FUN!

ALBUM

Today’s addition is a new Israeli album, a truly amazing piece of music one would probably never expect to come out of our country:

1^st album by young Israeli composer / multi-instrumentalist Ophir Kutiel a.k.a. Kutiman. Although the young generation of Israeli musicians active in the 21^st Century already proved time and again that they are capable of producing some amazing music in the Electronic, Rock, Prog and Jazz genres (as witnessed on the numerous CDs found on my site), most of them are deeply influenced by the European classical music tradition and American Rock and Jazz. What the local scene lacks (or rather lacked until this album) almost completely is music, which boasts groove, such as Funk, Soul or Afro-beat. Therefore this album comes as such a delightful surprise, filling the missing gap completely. This Jewish boychik has enough groove to shake the entire country’s butt and a soul as black as the heart of Africa. Of course it all didn’t come from thin air – Ophir did a lot of listening to the right kind of music, which can be traced (but only as influences, not as imitations) in his music: Sly & The Family Stone (“There’s A Riot Goin’ On”), Herbie Hancock’s late 1970’s Funk explorations, late Miles Davis (“Tutu”), African Master musician Fela Kuti (obvious name reference here) and a lot of Ambient, Lounge and Psychedelic music. All these influences come together, and Ophir’s individual approach glues them into a new and fascinating amalgam. This music although far from trivial or simplistic, hits you right in the place where your soul happens to be located and engulfs you completely, making your body to sway in the process. Although Ophir plays most of the instruments on the album, which BTW is also brilliantly produced, he invited some local musicians and vocalists to take part. These include members of the local Funk band Funk’n’stein and the local diva Karolina. Whatever your musical preferences, this music just can’t leave you cold, and if it does (God forbid) then you probably have no soul at all. Absolutely great fun!

JAZZIS WEB SHOP

Normal activity.

HAVE FUN!

ALBUM

Today’s addition is another new Fusion album from Japan, a place where things are definitely happening:

4^th album by the phenomenal Japanese Fusion band KBB and their long awaited follow up studio recording. Fronted by the virtuoso violinist Akihisa Tsuboy (with Toshimitsu Takahashi – keyboards, Dani – bass and Shirou Sugano – drums) the Fusion quartet presents a brilliant set of new compositions (all except one by Tsuboy, with Dani’s first offering as a composer being the exception). The music is very melodic with traces of classical influences, but remains well inside the Fusion genre. The playing is brilliant as ever, virtuosity par excellence all the way. The entire concept is slightly more laid-back than the earlier efforts, with more accent on the melodic and lyrical, but there’s still plenty of Fusion fire to excite even the most skeptical listeners. The tracks are long enough to allow for dramatic melodic development and plenty of space for extended improvisations. All together a splendid album, well worth waiting for and sure not to disappoint the many fans of the band worldwide. Wholeheartedly recommended!

JAZZIS WEB SHOP

Massive re-stocking – check your Waiting List!

HAVE FUN!

ALBUM

Today’s addition is a masterpiece of contemporary Prog, coming from Finland, my favorite musical country:

2^nd album by brilliant Finnish Symphonic Prog band Khatsaturjan and a masterpiece of the genre. Their 1^st album (an EP called “Aramsome Sums”, which was never officially released) pointed already in the direction, but this debut full album really hits the nail right on the head. As the band’s name suggests, they are deeply rooted in classical music (especially Russian classical music) and indeed started by playing modernized versions of classical pieces and only later opted to compose original material. The quartet consists of: Jaakko Koikkalainen – bass, keyboards, vocals & guitar, Atte Kurri – guitars, keyboards & vocals, Ilkka Piispala – drums, keyboards & vocals and Ilkka Saarikivi – keyboards, cello & vocals. They all have years of musical studies behind them, which is very apparent from the phenomenal performances heard herein. Considering that all four of them play keyboards and sing, the overall effect they are able to achieve is massive and truly symphonic and choral in scope. There are very few other Prog groups that ever (if at all) achieved the same level of compositional sophistication and orchestral execution, but if parallels must be drown, imagine Nice being accompanied by Queen vocals. This is an amazing piece of music, which should be cherished by every Prog fan on this planet and heard by all music lovers, but alas I’m afraid the reality is sadly different.

JAZZIS WEB SHOP

Massive re-stocking – check your Waiting List!

HAVE FUN!