Wednesday, August 27, 2014

Fairy Tale Trio - Jazz Across the Border

The Fairy Tale Trio plays a kind of hybrid music combining elements of Bulgarian folk music and jazz. Kaval player Theodosii Spassov has developed a style that allows him more chromatic and timbral possibilities than previously associated with that instrument, while soprano saxist Anatoly Vapirov can go from tricky folk melodies to Coltrane-like wailing in the space of a few notes. The trio is rounded out by percussionist Stoyan Yankoulov, who uses mostly the traditional tupan (a double-headed drum, played with sticks) with a few modern additions. The music, composed by the trio, makes full use of their resources. There are a few odd-meter rave-ups, but there are also some quieter, textural pieces. The kaval and soprano sax take turns soloing and supporting each other, while the percussion supplies a sturdy rhythmic framework. There are also a few solos and duets that, along with great attention paid to dynamics, help keep the sound varied and interesting. In its more peaceful moments this reminds me a little of Codona, the old Don Cherry-Collin Walcott project. Then the musicians turn up the heat and could be mistaken for an Art Ensemble of Chicago offshoot. But the approach taken here is a melding rather than a juxtaposition, with the jazz elements logically flowing from the Bulgarian roots, and as such is one of the more successful folk-jazz fusions I've heard in some time.- by Joe Grossman, RootsWorld

Artist: Fairy Tale Trio
Album: Jazz Across the Border
Year: 1998
Label: Wirgo
Runtime: 52:21

Tracks:
1.  Karandila (Theodosii Spassov/Anatoly Vapirov/Stoyan Yankulov) 5:18
2.  Lastuna (Theodosii Spassov/Anatoly Vapirov/Stoyan Yankulov) 2:02
3.  The House Behind the River (Theodosii Spassov/Anatoly Vapirov/Stoyan Yankulov) 7:14
4.  Cadence in Green (Theodosii Spassov/Anatoly Vapirov/Stoyan Yankulov) 2:33
5.  Samotek (Theodosii Spassov/Anatoly Vapirov/Stoyan Yankulov) 7:45
6.  Sun Sanuvah (Theodosii Spassov/Anatoly Vapirov/Stoyan Yankulov) 5:43
7.  Chorovod (Theodosii Spassov/Anatoly Vapirov/Stoyan Yankulov) 2:24
8.  Marvellous Pig Stories (Theodosii Spassov/Anatoly Vapirov/Stoyan Yankulov) 4:08
9.  Shepherd's Baroque (Theodosii Spassov/Anatoly Vapirov/Stoyan Yankulov) 3:02
10.  Gornjak (Theodosii Spassov/Anatoly Vapirov/Stoyan Yankulov) 4:16
11.  Shuma (Ljobomir Pipkow) 7:50

Personnel:
Theodosii Spassov (Kaval and Voice)
Anatoly Vapirov (Soprano Saxophone)
Stoyan Yankulov (Tupan and Percussion)

Wednesday, August 13, 2014

Bill Evans Trio - Since We Met

This album captures the best Bill Evans Trio (Eddie Gomez on bass and Marty Morell on drums) at the peak of their creative powers in a jaw-dropping performance. This is an absolutely flawless gem, musically. Bill plays like an angel. I have listened to this album well over 1000 times since I first bought it back in the mid-seventies. I wore out 2 vinyl records - fortunately I bought a 3rd, which I still treasure! I also enjoy the CD. This is a live album, recorded at the Village Vanguard. The recording quality is not the best; however, the music itself immediately transcends the limitations of the recording setup, grabs you by your soul and never lets go. Each exceedingly lovely piece is an inexhaustible mine of pure gold. I am constantly delighted. I had the great good fortune of meeting and chatting with Bill Evans at a couple of his concerts. I consider that I met the greatest pianist who has ever lived. His playing, especially as evidenced on this album, places him virtually alone at the summit of jazz-piano artistry. He reaches inside you and touches the deepest recesses of your heart. The opening solo piano work on 'Since We Met' floors me; the depth of feeling on 'Time Remembered' brings tears to my eyes; 'Sareen Jurer' flows like a river of... well, you get the idea. This must be what it sounds like in heaven. - by Scorpio69, Amazon.com

Thirteen years after his legendary Village Vanguard recordings, Bill Evans recorded Since We Met at the famous New York establishment again. Using his trio of the era (which includes bassist Eddie Gómez and drummer Marty Morell), Evans explores both familiar ("Time Remembered," "Turn Out the Stars" and "But Beautiful") and new (Joe Zawinul's "Midnight Mood," "See-Saw" and "Sareen Jurer") material. This CD reissue gives listeners a good example of Bill Evans' early-'70s trio as it typically sounded in clubs. - by Scott Yanow, AMG

Artist: Bill Evans Trio
Album: Since We Met (Live at Village Vanguard)
Year: 1974
Label: OJC (1991)
Runtime: 46:16

Tracks:
1.  Since We Met (Bill Evans) 8:52
2.  Midnight Mood (Ben Raleigh/Joe Zawinul) 6:52
3.  See-Saw (Cy Coleman) 6:53
4.  Sareen Jurer (Earl Zindars) 6:40
5.  Time Remembered (Bill Evans) 5:27
6.  Turn Out the Stars (Bill Evans) 5:08
7.  But Beautiful (Johnny Burke/James Van Heusen) 6:21

Personnel:
Bill Evans (Piano)
Eddie Gomez (Double Bass)

Marty Morell (Drums)

Tuesday, August 5, 2014

Kudsi Erguner - Ottomania - Sufi Jazz Project

Kudsi Erguner’s Ottomania is the first World Music project that integrates the classical music of the Ottoman Empire with Western jazz improvisations and rhythms. It documents the story of a remarkable musical encounter, and is a logical continuation of Erguner’s eventful life.

Artist: Kudsi Erguner
Album: Ottomania - Sufi Jazz Project
Year: 1999
Label: ACT
Runtime: 49:31

Tracks:
1.  Semai (Mesut Cemil Bey) 5:48
2.  Sufimaj (Kudsi Erguner) 4:37
3.  Dua (Kudsi Erguner) 12:55
4.  Free space (Kudsi Erguner) 7:46
5.  Nefes (Kudsi Erguner) 9:06
6.  Hi-Jaz (Kudsi Erguner) 9:17

Personnel:
Kudsi Erguner (Ney)
Christof Lauer (Saxophone)
Derya Turkan (Kemence)
Michel Godard (Tuba)
Mehmet Emin Bitmez (Ud)
Yves Rousseau (Double Bass)
Hakan Gungor (Kanun)
Bruno Caillat (Percussion)
Necib Gulses (Tanbur)
Mark Nauseef (Drums)

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