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January 2016
FAST TRACKS... Reviews In Brief
JERRY BENEDICT BIG BAND - Holmes
This band from Los Angeles and beyond, are all friends of the band leader with the exception of guest pianist Matt Harris; a well known arranger of music for big band. The selection of music is wide with some swinging blues, latin grooves and a Sting song in 5. Whilst this album does not seek to rewrite jazz history through the tracks on this disk, it is certainly a pleasing mix. The recording production is excellent throughout with trombones high in the mix (the way I like it!) and a tight trumpet section. I would have liked more bass throughout the album however and no amount of engineering can cover up the numerous tuning issues that occur.Stand out tracks are the afore-mentioned Seven Days by Sting and a polyrhythmic arrangement of Caravan. This record won’t set the world on fire and isn’t designed to, but I hope it will get them some gigs as I am sure this is an entertaining band to enjoy in a live setting. Reviewed by Andy Derrick |
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THE GURDJIEFF ENSEMBLE - Komitas
(ECM 473 2246)
The music of Komitas Vardapet (1869 - 1935) has been regularly featured and documented on ECM, but this is the first release wholly devoted to his music, and has been placed in the capable hands of the Guirdjieff Ensemble under the direction of Levon Eskenian. The ensemble's music is presented with new arrangements by Eskenian for and performed on traditional folk instruments, and if time is taken to be come accustomed to, what will be for many, new instrumental voices albeit produced on old instruments the full beauty of Komitas' music shines through.
(ECM 473 2246)
The music of Komitas Vardapet (1869 - 1935) has been regularly featured and documented on ECM, but this is the first release wholly devoted to his music, and has been placed in the capable hands of the Guirdjieff Ensemble under the direction of Levon Eskenian. The ensemble's music is presented with new arrangements by Eskenian for and performed on traditional folk instruments, and if time is taken to be come accustomed to, what will be for many, new instrumental voices albeit produced on old instruments the full beauty of Komitas' music shines through.
TIGRAN HAMASYAN/YEREVAN STATE CHAMBER CHOIR - Luys i Luso
(ECM 473 2383)
Subtitled Hymns, Sharakans and Cantos, this is an impressive exploration of Armenian sacred music from the 5th to the 20th centuries on this fine debut from Tigran Hamasyan. Playing both piano and prepared piano, Hamasyan has been meticulous in his arrangements for the choir, whilst leaving plenty of space for instrumental improvisation from the keyboard. This is just one of a number of releases of late featuring music from Armenia, and like Garbarek and the Hilliard Ensmble have done previously, breathes new life into music that has existed for many hundreds of years. A beautiful album, that is superbly arranged and performed from a young musician who has not yet turned thirty and is perhaps a tantalising glimpse of what is yet to come.
(ECM 473 2383)
Subtitled Hymns, Sharakans and Cantos, this is an impressive exploration of Armenian sacred music from the 5th to the 20th centuries on this fine debut from Tigran Hamasyan. Playing both piano and prepared piano, Hamasyan has been meticulous in his arrangements for the choir, whilst leaving plenty of space for instrumental improvisation from the keyboard. This is just one of a number of releases of late featuring music from Armenia, and like Garbarek and the Hilliard Ensmble have done previously, breathes new life into music that has existed for many hundreds of years. A beautiful album, that is superbly arranged and performed from a young musician who has not yet turned thirty and is perhaps a tantalising glimpse of what is yet to come.
ANTHONY de MARE - Liasons: Re-imaginging Sondheim from the Piano
(ECM New Series 481 1780 - 3CD)
A comprehensive and exhaustive set from US pianist de Mare performing 36 pieces all based on the music of Stephen Sondheim that have been re-imagined by composers from different musical genres from classical music, jazz, musical theatre, pop and film muisc. With each composer selecting a Sondheim piece, they were then free to recast the music as they wished, whether with new voicings to enhance the melodic content or specific melodic or rhythmic motifs that were isolated for further study. Composers featured include Steve Reich, Mark-Anthony Turnage, and from a jazz background Ethan Iverson, Wynton Marsalis and Fred Hersch. The result is a fresh perspective on familiar and well loved melodies.
(ECM New Series 481 1780 - 3CD)
A comprehensive and exhaustive set from US pianist de Mare performing 36 pieces all based on the music of Stephen Sondheim that have been re-imagined by composers from different musical genres from classical music, jazz, musical theatre, pop and film muisc. With each composer selecting a Sondheim piece, they were then free to recast the music as they wished, whether with new voicings to enhance the melodic content or specific melodic or rhythmic motifs that were isolated for further study. Composers featured include Steve Reich, Mark-Anthony Turnage, and from a jazz background Ethan Iverson, Wynton Marsalis and Fred Hersch. The result is a fresh perspective on familiar and well loved melodies.
STEPHAN MICUS - Nomad Songs
(ECM 471 4325)
Ethno-musicologist, Micus presents his 21st ECM release with a series of compositions performed on instruments acquired and learned on his travels. There are pieces that feature familiar instruments such as the 12-string and steel-string guitar that require no adjustment to the sounds produced for the listener to acquaint themselves, and the more exotic suling, nay and shakuhachi that are a good deal less familiar. Throughout there is a satisfying melodic contour, with the deep sound of the genbri providing most agreeable bass lines that give a rhythmic boost to proceedings. At times, Micus bring the traditional role of his chosen axe to conjure a picture of the country of its origin, and in others he uses the unusual combinations within a more Western sounding concept in a set that breathes an air of gentle tranquility.
(ECM 471 4325)
Ethno-musicologist, Micus presents his 21st ECM release with a series of compositions performed on instruments acquired and learned on his travels. There are pieces that feature familiar instruments such as the 12-string and steel-string guitar that require no adjustment to the sounds produced for the listener to acquaint themselves, and the more exotic suling, nay and shakuhachi that are a good deal less familiar. Throughout there is a satisfying melodic contour, with the deep sound of the genbri providing most agreeable bass lines that give a rhythmic boost to proceedings. At times, Micus bring the traditional role of his chosen axe to conjure a picture of the country of its origin, and in others he uses the unusual combinations within a more Western sounding concept in a set that breathes an air of gentle tranquility.
DINO SALUZZI - Imágenes - Music for Piano
(ECM New Series 481 1592)
Album of solo piano compositions written by the Argentinean bandoneonist, and performed by Horacio Lavendera. Recorded at Rainbow Studio in Oslo in 2013 and released to mark Saluzzi's 80th birthday in 215, the album features works composed over a period of more than 40 years. For those who are only familiar with his bandoneon playing, the depth and scope of the music here will come as a surprise. Although no stranger in writing for larger ensemble and orchestra, this is the first album of solo paino music for Saluzzi, and reveals another facet of his musical personality in a series of pieces that have a strong overall concept and idividual identity and yet are carefully chosen to provide a wlle structured set.
(ECM New Series 481 1592)
Album of solo piano compositions written by the Argentinean bandoneonist, and performed by Horacio Lavendera. Recorded at Rainbow Studio in Oslo in 2013 and released to mark Saluzzi's 80th birthday in 215, the album features works composed over a period of more than 40 years. For those who are only familiar with his bandoneon playing, the depth and scope of the music here will come as a surprise. Although no stranger in writing for larger ensemble and orchestra, this is the first album of solo paino music for Saluzzi, and reveals another facet of his musical personality in a series of pieces that have a strong overall concept and idividual identity and yet are carefully chosen to provide a wlle structured set.
