[ New Label – MoonJune Records – joins our reviewing dashboard !]
We are delighted to say that our representation of labels we are reviewing for is growing. That makes me happy as it deteriorates us from the strictly Jazzy plot to the more variable territory. As music is our passion here it is only for good. NYC based Moon June Records run by Leonardo Pavkovic is already well established medium for progressive music scene on the East Coast. Here is a quote from an introductory located on their homepage to explain you more about their vision.
[ February 2017 release on Rune Gramophon label : Jon Irabagon, John Hegre & Nils Are Drønen- AXIS ]
The superb US saxophonist teems up with Norwegians in new, fearless, dynamic free jazz trio.
Filipino-American Jon Irabagon (37) is a founder member of Mostly Other People Do The Killing and an integral member of the Mary Halvorson Quintet, Dave Douglas Quintet and Barry Altschul´s 3Dom Factor and has taken part on a vast number of records. He has topped both the Rising Star Alto Saxophone and the Rising Star Tenor Saxophone categories in Down Beat´s critics polls and been named one of Time Out New York´s 25 New York City Jazz Icons.
[ February 2017 release on Rune Gramophon label : Krokofant III ]
Third album in three years from this young, progressive, heavy trio.
Krokofant typify a new and invigorating movement currently sweeping across the Nordic region: hard boiled improvisation and strong instrumental personalities bolted onto rock beats and driving rhythms. Equally powerful on record and on stage, Krokofant pull no punches, sounding off like some unholy three-way marriage of early 70s jazz rock (Mahavishnu Orchestra, Terje Rypdal), the sprawling progressive odysseys of King Crimson and Van Der Graaf Generator, and the fierce heat of John Zorn or Peter Brötzmann’s harsh free jazz ensembles.
[Eden River release on 3rd of February Audiophile Limited pressing of the very last Jimmy Scott’s recordings]
For a Die Hart Jimmy’s fans, like myself it is going to be something special. I discovered Jimmy pretty late , in the middle of 90’s but it was lifespan finding.I never stopped listening to him since and kept digging back to find more and more. The man possessing The Voice almost as sensual as female’s voices are. More of that ,with his deeply emotional interpretations, he had kind of female sensitivity coming with too. With unusual phrasing , meaning and full of silent notes between he became quickly a favourite of the female pantheon of the Be Bop era. A lot can be said about a Little Jimmy, as he had been nick named by Lionel Hampton, but it is not a place for. Those who will feel that hunger for more after listening to that start looking for more with no prompts. Those who already know they do understand.
[ Eva Klesse Quartet releases their second recording for German ENJA label]
Eva Klesse, young German drummer I had a pleasure to hear on the stage last year, just realised her second album for Enja at the end of October. Long play entitled OBENLAND. I reviewed her debut recording – XENON here. After short stay in the US ,she is back with her Quartet and the new music just arrived to me. Stay tuned ,as soon I will be posting review of the recent CD which is equally wonderful, just to say something to tease you 😉
Berlin Jazz Fest 2016 : Chapter 4 – Time to Say Goodbye ;(
All goods things in life must finally come to the end, so is this lovely Fest. Four Days of total enjoyment drown me down and energised to survive the rush in the same time. What matters here it that again it helped me learn a lot new things about the music and about myself too. It definitelly made me happy and wanting to come back nect year again . To see the City I love. To meet the Friends who are living there. To fee The Music.
Berlin Jazz Fest 2016 : Chapter 3- At the Highest Pitch!
As all things were going better and better, soon all good time together replaced the old good sleep. With things like that one needs to catch up a day as once it passed it passed. There is no way back. But who would be worried about the time passing by when the music surrounds you and drives your spirit high? Exactly. Therefore trully yours himself jumped to the pool as well as there was really the one way only to go.
Berlin Jazz Fest 2016 : Chapter 2 – The Beat Goes On!
After the 1st day positive energy boost , the day two was looking even more impresive. There were two highlits appealing to me already in the program: My beloved Globe Unity Orchestra and the Aki Takase Duo act with Ingrid Laubrock. Unexpectedly a closing set on the main stage came as a most welcome challenge to me as well, but let’s do not get ahead of the story.
Berlin Jazz Fest 2016 : Chapter 1- The First Hit!
Here we are. This is a report from the first day of the festival weekend this year. As always there was a lot of great music and the great fun. Meeting with friends and interesting conversations with both: artists and visitors. When the music buzzes around and the heart rate goes up the magic happens. Jazz junkie like myself can stay alive as long as the sounds keep feeding back. And with a good hype one gets the good vibe, follow the write up below to find out more.