Gene Ess - Absurdist Theater (SIMP) 2016 KARI-ON PRODUCTIONS

Street Date - September 26, 2016

CD Release Party

September 25th - Blue Note NYC

For Gene, a serious musical journey is always undertaken against the backdrop of the theater of the absurd, whether the musician knows it or not; in it, the quest for meaning is replaced by contentment in the artistic pursuit of beauty.

BIOGRAPHY BRIEF
Gene Ess is a philosopher. While most philosophers expound their thoughts with the written word, Gene Ess delineates his thinking in the most sublime of the art forms, music. Gene’s previous release, Eternal Monomyth (©SIMProductions, 2015), was a musical exploration of the hero’s quest proposed by Carl Jung and Joseph Campbell.

Now, in Absurdist Theater, Gene navigates the absence of meaning and hope. The idea of absurdism may be rooted in Kierkegaard and Schopenhauer, but it is Albert Camus’s Myth of Sisyphus that best incarnates the encounter with “nothingness.” With a protagonist eternally doomed to senselessness and facing the choice of escaping existence, leap of faith, or recognition, Camus “imagines Sisyphus happy,” finding clarity in contentment. In the absence of meaning, absurdism teaches freedom. As Nikos Kazantzakis’ epitaph read, “I have no hope. I have no fear. I am free.”

For Gene, a serious musical journey is always undertaken against the backdrop of the theater of the absurd, whether the musician knows it or not; in it, the quest for meaning is replaced by contentment in the artistic pursuit of beauty. In the tradition of aesthetics, the profound power of beauty saves us from our own despair. In the Japanese bushido way, the pursuit for unattainable beauty and perfection brings balance to life.

Seeking his own expression of beauty, Gene was joined by kindred hearts and minds. He says, “A great team of musicians came through for the music. I think in this third record together, this is the best work for Thana Alexa and me as Fractal Attraction’s frontline. Our collaboration has grown tighter over the years, as she has gotten to know my music.Cuban pianist, Manuel Valera did a great job. It was my first time working with him. Yasushi Nakamura is one of the best bass players I’ve heard. And of course, Clarence Penn is one of the best drummers in the international jazz scene.”

CD DESCRIPTION

By Travis Rogers

What they have created together, in their own musical heroes’ quest, is a work of sincere expression. The individual movements are magnificent, this is a coherent and wonderful Jazz Opera. Just wonderful.

        •       Out of the Ashes: the first sound in the album is Thana Alexa’s voice. Gene’s guitar is the sound of resurrection soaring from destruction as Manuel Valera’s piano speaks of reconstruction. It is the rapprochement with life in the absence of meaning.

        •       Circe's Compassion: Circe, the devastatingly beautiful goddess-enchantress, eventually helps Odysseus after her defeat to him. It is the compassion of friends and foes that guides Odysseus through his journey. 

        •       Jade Stones: Jade, the “blessing stone,” offers benefits to whatever it touches. It has been used as a sacrifice to nature gods and even carved into musical instruments. Jade also symbolizes the wisdom gathered from a peaceful life, allowing us to see ourselves as we really are.

        •       Kunai:  Originally, kunai were farming tools that were soon transformed into weapons. It is most known as weapon of choice for the Japanese Ninjas and Shinobis.  A defensive weapon rather than offensive, here the music defends the musicians moving forward into the Gate. 

        •       Torii: A torii is a traditional gate into a Shinto shrine, the portal from to the sacred from the profane. Passing through the torii, however, does not change the view, as it is an open archway, making the difference between the spiritual and the material worlds at best an illusion and, at worst, a lie.

        •       Forkball (for Ornette): A marvelous elegy and tribute to the life and work of Ornette Coleman, who may have understood these things better than any of us.

        •       Déjala Que Pase: As a product of Gene spending extended periods in Spain, more recently in San Jose, he has fallen under the influence of Spanish music. Let things pass. It is the moment of realization, no longer looking for an answer.

        •       Upward and Onward!: After recognition, Gene forsakes the options of escaping existence and leap of faith. Instead, in the most amazing choice of all, he chooses beauty. This is Aristotle’s ascent.

Hope and meaning may be beyond our reach. Stop and hear Gene, Thana, Manuel, Yasushi, and Clarence, making absurdity lose its sting to the sheer joy of beautiful music.

Track Names and Times and Composer:

1. Out of the Ashes 9:45 Gene Ess

2. Circe’s Compassion 8:35 Gene Ess

3. Jade Stones 5:52 music by Gene Ess, lyrics by Thana Alexa

4. Kunai 5:49 Gene Ess

5. Torii (The Gate) 8:58 Gene Ess

6. Forkball 5:03 Gene Ess

7. Déjala Que Pase 6:37 music Gene Ess, lyrics Thana Alexa

8. Upward and Onward! 8:43 Gene Ess

PLAYERS:

Gene Ess - guitar, synth, compositions

Thana Alexa - voice, lyrics

Manuel Valera - piano, keyboards

Yasushi Nakamura - acoustic and electric bass

Clarence Penn - drums

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Juan Belda Bit Band - Carretera Mágica (2016) FOL MÚSICA

presenta

Juan Belda Bit Band - Carretera Mágica (2016)

Presentamos “Carretera mágica”, el nuevo disco de JUAN BELDA, uno de los máximos exponentes del free jazz y la musica experimental de nuestro país. Músico, compositor, productor, ingeniero de sonido, Juan Belda tiene una larga trayectoria ligada a músicos tan relevantes como John Cale, Jorge Pardo o Patricia Kraus, con quien creó el primer grupo de Trip Hop español, la banda de culto WAX BEAT.

“CARRETERA MAGICA” es un trabajo compuesto en los últimos dos años de una forma muy libre y espontánea, que se inspira en “la memoria y el paso del tiempo”

Escucha el nuevo disco de Juan Belda de la forma que quieras:

CD | Spotify | iTunes | Google Play | Deezer | Amazon

Carretera Mágica

The Wolf

Mirlo Parker

Calaveras Dance

El Poeta Tiburón

Vale…He He He

El Método de J.J

Balada en Cm

Paquito

Ballet #1

Hans Piesbergen voz

Jorge Pardo saxo

Enrico Barbaro bajo

Juanjo Orti bateria

Epi Lorente guitarra

Pablo Cébrian guitarra

Juan Belda teclados

Phonograph Team Project - Morph (2016)

Artist: Phonograph Team Project

Album: Morph

Date Released: June 17th, 2016

"Morph", is the sophomore release from the group Phonograph Team Project. Written, created and recorded online between July 2015 and January 2016, "Morph" is an all instrumental release featuring ten original compositions in the "Modern, Melodic Contemporary Jazz" vein, for lack of a better description, and should be appreciated by those who enjoy ECM Jazz recordings, early Steps Ahead, The Pat Metheny Group and more modern "euro", ambient jazz offerings, among others.

The official release date for "Morph" is June 17th 2016, at that time it will be available online, iTunes, Spotify, Amazon, etc.

Phonograph Team Project is a difficult to categorize modern, melodic instrumental ensemble with shades of soundtrack, electronic, ECM, Ambient, Contemporary and Euro Jazz.

Album Credits:

David Wright – Guitar

Gianluca Grasso – Piano / Keyboards / Synthesisers

Rob Glass – Bass

Tommaso Monopoli – Drums

1. Find A Place - 04:51

2. There You Are - 05:46

3. After The Movie - 06:16

4. Interlude - 00:10

5. The Time You Have - 07:08

6. Lost Art - 07:31

7. Take Advantage - 07:32

8. Let’s Start - 07:40

9. Nobody Expects The Spanish Inquisition - 06:04

10. Outro - 00:08

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www.phonographteamproject.com

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Peppe Jalava Band - A Guided Tour in The Kuiper Belt (2016)

SOURCE

Vuonna 1930 Clyde W. Tombaugh löysi Pluton, jota pidettiin aurinkokuntamme uloimpana planeettana.
Myöhemmin Kuiperin vyöhykeeltä löytyi lukuisia muita möhkäleitä. Vuonna 2005 löydettiin mahdollisesti jopa vähän suuremmaksi arvioitu, kreikkalaisen eripuraisuuden jumalattaren mukaan nimetty Eris, joka aiheuttikin eripuraa tähtitieteilijöitten parissa. Seurauksena tästä oli, että Pluto koki arvonalennuksen planeetasta kääpiöplaneetaksi vuonna 2006. Se poistettiin planeettojen luettelosta, muttei tietenkään aurinkokunnastamme. Se jatkaakin kieppumistaan radallaan pätkääkään välittämättä siitä miksi ihmiset sitä kutsuvat.

Sävelsin vuonna 2007 Esko Linnavalli big band sävellyskilpailuun kommenttini tästä Pluton arvonalennuksesta. "Pluto! - Siellä se kieppuu yhä!" saavutti kilpailussa toisen sijan. UMO Jazz Orchestra kantaesitti kappaleen Imatra Big Band festivaalilla ja on esittänyt sitä joitakin kertoja muuallakin. Myös Sibeliusakatemian Sibis Big Band on levyttänyt sen albumilleen "Competition Winners".
Alkuperäisessä big band-versiossa toisiaan lomittelevien kiemuroiden sovittaminen pienelle yhtyeelle ei ollut aivan helppo tehtävä, eivätkä soittajatkaan pääse tässä tiivistetyssä versiossa helpolla. Tekemistä riittää jokaiselle yllin kyllin. Jaakko Martikainen pääsee nauttimaan soolossaan Pluton gravitaation vähäisestä vastuksesta.

Neljä vuotta myöhemmin otin aiheekseni tuon paljolti Pluton syrjäyttämiseen vaikuttaneen planetoidin. Tuolloin syntyi "Eris - kummallinen", joka antaa selityksen tarpeelle vakuutella Pluton kieppuvan yhä siellä.
New Horizon luotain ohitti Pluton lähietäisyydeltä 14. heinäkuuta 2015. Tuolloin todettiin Pluton olevan hieman isompi kuin oli arvioitu ja sille suotiin kuninkuusasema Kuiperin vyöhykkeellä. Tosin Eristä ei olla päästy tarkistamaan vastaavalla tavalla.

Miksi Pluto sitten kieppuu? Koska sillä on seuranaan kokoonsa nähden valtava kuu, Kharon "kieputtaja" sekä lisäksi ainakin kolme pienempää kuuta. Tämä koko systeemi kiertää Pluton ulkopuolella olevan yhteisen massakeskipisteensä ympäri kulkiessaan rataansa aurinkokunnassamme.

Jotta saisimme aikaan mielenkiintoisen kiertomatkan otin vielä kaksi pienempää Kuiperin vyöhykkeen kappaletta mukaan: "Ixion - arvaamaton" ja "Quaoar - ylväs". Tieto Ixionin arvaamattomuudesta löytyy kreikkalaisesta mytologiasta, hän tappoi luokseen vierailulle tulleen appensa Deioneuksen. Vieraillessaan Zeuksen luona hän himoitsi tämän vaimoa Heraa. Quaoarin taas tulee olla ylväs, koska se kantaa Tongva intiaaniheimon luojajumalan nimeä.

Aivan tavalliset lomailuvarusteet eivät riitä tällaiselle matkalle lähdettäessä. Tarvitaan vähintäänkin järeästi varustettu "Maaginen matkalaukku". Tässä monet muodonmuutokset kokeneessa seniorikappaleessa matkalaukun varusteita penkovat improvisoiduissa sooloissaan Antti Hermaja, Ari Polojärvi ja Mikko Multamäki.

Täydentääkseni albumille lyhyitten ja pitkien kappaleitten vuorottelun sävelsin viimeisenä tärkeän kehoituksen tällaiselle matkalle: "Älä unohda avaruuspukuasi". Kehoitus pitää tietysti esittää jo ennen matkalle lähtöä levyn avauskappaleena. Siinä on lähdön tohinaa ja toisaalta Antin pasuunan rauhallista kerrontaa avaruuspuvun tarpeellisuudesta.

Don't Forget Your Space Suit (Peppe Jalava)

Pluto? - It's Still Swinging There! (Peppe Jalava)

Kharon - The Swinger (Peppe Jalava)

Eris - The Strange One (Peppe Jalava)

Quaoar - The Noble One (Peppe Jalava)

Magical Suitcase (Peppe Jalava)

Ixion - Unpredictable (Peppe Jalava)

The Three Last Lives of a Stray Cat (Peppe Jalava)

The Might of the Frogs (Peppe Jalava)

The Miraculous Pumpkin Meets the Barking Mandarin (Hats Off To Frank and Béla) [Peppe Jalava]

Solos: Jaakko Martikainen, Ari Polojärvi

All works composed and arranged by Pertti Jalava

Jaakko Martikainen: tenor & soprano saxophones

Antti Hermaja: trombone

Ari Polojärvi: el. guitars

Mikko Multamäki: bass guitar & double bass

Pertti Jalava: drums, keyboards (6, 8, 10) and sound effects (10)

Recording: Kari Nieminen, Musa Muusa studios

Editing & mixing: Kari Nieminen & Pertti Jalava

Producer: Pertti Jalava

Cover photos:

Charon NASA New Horizons

Plutos landscape ESO/L. Calçada

Artwork: Niko Jouhkimainen

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ROJ TEAM

Kenziek - The Last Bow (2016)

Oh man, where do I even begin? I guess for amateur musicians, making a record is always the dream but being in college and having a million other things to do, it often seems to be an impossible task. The struggle is real.

This project really started in the summer of 2015. I woke up one morning and realizing all of us would be graduating in a year. Although we would probably stay friends, it would be difficult to see each other again after college; playing music together is almost out of the question. It just seemed wrong to not put in any effort to draw a conclusion. I immediately started writing and arranging (with pencil and paper, it’s still the best way), a few hours every night, until the end of summer. After I finished the last song, I realized, man, this could happen.

Having the music ready isn’t even half of the battle. I hit walls after walls looking for musicians, rehearsal space, recording studios, budget and scheduling rehearsal times and logistics. Everyone came back to school early for three days of intensive rehearsals. Man, we must have played over 10 hours a day. Music was the only thing that was going on in our heads and for these few days, music was the only thing that mattered in the world. I didn’t know who was going to be on this album until two days before the recording. Step by step, The Last Bow was complete.

It has been my philosophy that musicians are messengers and our mission is to spread music, the magic, happiness and love it brings to as many as people as we can. The Last bow is our first and perhaps last record; either way it’s our last bow to college and all of you that helped us along the way. — Rain Zhou (2016)

facebook Kenziek

1. … And Foremost (01:17)

Composed by Marshall Mucasey

Soloist: Marshall Mucasey (bass)

2. New Beginnings (06:58)

Composed by Marshall Mucasey and Rain Zhou; arranged by Rain Zhou

Soloist: Alec Staples (tenor sax)

3. Missing the Blues (05:53)

Composed by Marshall Mucasey and Rain Zhou; arranged by Rain Zhou

Soloists: Alec Staples (tenor sax), Ian Montague (guitar), Marshall Mucasey (bass), Rain Zhou (organ)

4. Not So Josh (08:45)

Composed by Rain Zhou and Josh Rollin; arranged by Rain Zhou

Soloists: Jaden Gladstone (tenor sax), Matt Venora (trumpet), Rain Zhou (talkbox), Skyler Gray (drums)

5. Ask Your Friends (05:16)

Composed and arranged by Rain Zhou

Soloist: Ian Montague (guitar)

6. Weiser Wiser (05:03)

Composed by Rain Zhou; arranged by Nick Weiser

Soloists: Alec Staples (tenor sax), Matt Venora (trumpet), Ian Montague (guitar), Rain Zhou (piano)

7. Moment of Silence (09:25)

Composed and arranged by Rain Zhou

Soloists: Marshall Mucasey (bass), Ian Montague (guitar), Jaden Gladstone (tenor sax), Alec Staples (tenor sax), Matt Venora (trumpet)

8. Golden Thing (07:51)

Composed and arranged by Rain Zhou and Josh Rollin

Soloists: Matt Venora (trumpet), Rain Zhou (talkbox), Jaden Gladstone (tenor sax), Alec Staples (tenor sax)

———————————————————————————

Personnel

Rain Zhou Keyboards & Talkbox

Marshall Mucasey Electric Bass

Ian Montague Electric Guitar

Skyler Gray Drums

Jaden Gladstone Tenor Sax

Alec Staples Tenor Sax

Matt Venora Trumpet

Nate Schickler Trumpet

Recorded by Will Russell @ Electric Wilburland in New field, NY

Edited and Mixed by Will Russell

Mastered by Will Russell

Photographed by Connor Archard

Produced by Rain Zhou

———————————————————————————

Thank yous

We’d like to thank our families and friends for supporting us, 3unit, Alan Rose, Roddy Russell Jr., and Karim Hutton for musical support, Geoffrey Keating for supporting the project, Josh Rollin for playing with us and shaping our sound in the beginning, Cornell Thumpty for the rehearsal space, Sam Lupowitz for directing us to Electric Wilburland, Will Russell for making our first recording as smooth as possible, Cornell JAM for fostering the beginning of this band, Snarky Puppy for being the true inspiration, and all of our mentors who’ve led us to this point.

And we’d like to thank all of our Kickstarter backers for making this project possible in the first place (in alphabetical order): Aaron Fink, Alan Rose, Anonymous, Arash, BMITW & the Trail Boss, Camille and William Prip, Cari and Jack Brandt, Connor Daly, Elle dawg, Evan Mucasey, Geoffrey Keating, Gregg Sheena, John Lowry, Lucy Metz, Luke Moll, Marina Howarth, Michael Gray, Michelle & Mario Argentina, Mitch Levy, Mitchell Tiras, Nick Ruggiero, Noreena Lau, Paul Giannelis, Peter Ericksen, Sabria & Kevin Lewis, Sal Qadir, Sam Saloff-Coste, Sarah Baldessari, Stefan Peierls, Yao Li & Angie Ding, Ying Yuan, 周一鸣, 周成杰&李雪梅, 李晋, 李慧民.

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Ratatet - Arctic (2016)

The neo-jazz sextet Ratatet – led by drummer/composer Alan Hall – dissolves genres and expands musical horizons on debut album, Arctic.

To be released March 11, 2016 on Ridgeway Records

Source: RATATET

With its audacious frontline of trombone and bassoon, the Bay Area-based sextet Ratatet is no

run-of-the-mill jazz ensemble. The adventuresome spirit exemplified by the band’s novel

instrumentation is also reflected in leader Alan Hall’s cliché-free and melody-rich compositions

on Arctic, the outfit’s genre-dissolving debut recording. Incorporating prime elements of jazz

(from mainstream to fusion), funk, rock, South American idioms and classical music, Ratatet

categorically rejects rigid categorization. The band, featuring Alan Hall on drums, Paul

Hanson on bassoon and tenor saxophone, John Gove on trombone, Dillon Vado on

vibraphone, Greg Sankovich on keyboards and Jeff Denson on acoustic and electric bass

and vocals, blends sterling musicianship with unbounded creativity, taking full advantage of the

inclusive freedom that characterizes the best of new millennium jazz. In addition, Paul

McCandless, a member of the famed group, Oregon, is a guest on the album’s last track.

Arctic will be released March 11, 2016 on Ridgeway Records.

Hall’s eleven strikingly melodic original compositions can build off of spirited rhythms

(“Electrick,” “Red State, Blue State,” “Word By Word,” “Gataxi”) or paint effectively moody

landscapes (“Arctic,” “Returning”). Binding everything together is the singable quality of Hall’s

writing. “I thought in terms of tight pop song-like structures” he says, “melodies that were

stimulating yet accessible and memorable.” Full blooded yet succinct improvisations from

Hanson and Gove, along with concise and noteworthy contributions from the others, enrich the

performances. The darker, low-toned quality of the unique trombone-bassoon front line is

cushioned by an active and supportive rhythm section bolstered by the inspired inclusion of

Vado’s atmospheric vibraphone. Although Hall cites such significant influences as jazz icons

Pat Metheny, Wayne Shorter and Chick Corea, as well as classical masters including Ravel,

Debussy and Copland, his own music has thoroughly assimilated its sources and found its own

voice. The result is thoroughly contemporary jazz that owes its identity to no other composer or

ensemble.

A respected drummer who, in addition to his extensive jazz experience, has played with

“everything from Pop and Rock to Latin and Klezmer bands,” Hall brings the full range of his

broad experience to his sextet. “It’s hard to define Ratatet’s music,” Hall claims, “I purposely

avoid limiting it to one genre. I also want to explore the full range of what the bandʼs

instrumentation can offer. Some songs call for funky electric bass, others for bowing on the

acoustic bass. Some songs need organ, some need a muted trombone and a vocal. It's great

having this sonic versatility."

Of special interest is bassoonist Paul Hanson's occasional employment of startling sonic

effects on his electrified instrument as in "Gataxi," where his unaccompanied introduction and

vigorous exchanges with trombonist Gove reveal a boldly altered bassoon tone. Hanson

emerges as an integral key to the band's unique approach. "Paul is a Bay Area fixture." Hall

asserts, "Anyone who has heard him knows he's one of a kind."

A visual artist as well as a musician-composer, Hall was inspired by celebrated works from a

host of iconic painters. Song titles including “Basquiat (inspired by Jean Michel Basquiat)”

“What Cy’s Eyes See (inspired Cy Twombly)” and “The Marriage of Arnolfini” confirm the links

between his passions. For the musicians in Ratatet, Arctic is as personally revealing as an

artist's brushstroke. As Hall states, “the truth of who you are is on display.”

Members of Ratatet have collaborated with such celebrated artists as Lee Konitz, Kenny

Werner, Bela Fleck and the Flecktones, Ralph Alessi, Paul McCandless, Cuong Vu and the

Cirque Du Soleil theatrical ensemble.

Ridgeway Records is dedicated to the recording and perpetuation of jazz and related styles of

music. The label is committed to providing artists a platform to promote improvisation, artistic

growth and audience development. The label is a part of Ridgeway Arts, Inc. – a new nonprofit

serving the Bay-Area jazz scene led by renowned jazz

bassist/composer/educator/community activist Jeff Denson. The organization is built upon a

series of initiatives designed to enhance and fortify the Bay Area scene, and to make a strong

contribution to the national landscape of jazz and the arts in general. Ridgeway Arts will

present concerts, organize educational and community outreach activities, and more.

PAUL HANSON - bassoon and sax

JOHN GOVE - trombone

DILLON VADO - vibes and percussion

GREG SANKOVICH - keyboards

JEFF DENSON -basses and vocals

ALAN HALL - band leader, drums, composer

01. Electrick

02. Fathers and Sons

03. The Marriage of Arnolfini

04. Arctic

05. Red State-Blue State

06. In a Sense, Innocence

07. Word by Word

08. Basquiat

09. What Cy's Eyes See

10. Gataxi

11. Returning

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Zhenya Strigalev - Never Group (feat. Eric Harland, Tim Lefebvre & Bruno Liberda) 2016

Source: Whirlwind Recordings

“A typical Strigalev collision of hip jazz virtuosity and surrealism… Strigalev’s alto displays bebop agility, shivery lyricism, or sometimes a bluesy Ornetteish swerve.” The Guardian

Russian-born, London-based alto saxophonist Zhenya Strigalev follows up his 2015 Whirlwind sextet release Robin Goodie with his new trio project Never Group. Recorded over two days in Berlin with the rhythm section of electric bassist Tim Lefebvre and drummer Eric Harland – as well as welcoming guests such as keyboardist John Escreet, double bassist Matt Penman and trumpeter Alex Bonney – Strigalev’s desire with this different focus is to fashion the unexpected and the fleeting (alluded to in the project name) both from his own original compositions and the contributions of respected Austrian electronics composer/musician Bruno Liberda (who also appears on this recording).

Building a reputation on both sides of the North Atlantic for his adventurous and impassioned emphasis on improvisation, Never Group is an experience that matches quirky abandon with resolute musicianship and technicality. As Zhenya confirms: “No other rhythm section sounds like Eric and Tim; I like their chemistry together – and I wanted to collaborate with them to record a chordless trio album which gave me more freedom, so I could further expand my musical language.” In an hour-plus abundance of 20 tracks, Strigalev and colleagues elicit bristling spontaneity, from the rasping percussiveness of ‘Bio Active’ to ‘Strange Party‘s’ grungy swagger; from the echoic, electronically-manipulated mystery of Liberda’s ‘Bassgeigengeister’ and ‘Heimwehharfe’ to the raw, boppy mischievousness of ‘Some Thomas’ and playful, grooving ‘Snail’.

The trio’s studio jam sessions covered some four hours, so this album’s choice performances – punctuated throughout by succinct, exploratory codas mostly characterised by Harland’s precision drumming – offer a glimpse into the leader’s impulsive creativity and this close-knit trio partnership’s unfettered realization of his imaginings. Strigalev enjoys the challenge of shining a light on the undiscovered, and describes the desired on-the-edge thrill that unfolded from these sessions: “The whole point of what I do is that I need to surprise myself; I don’t want to record something which sounds exactly like this or like that, because that’s not interesting enough to me. Sometimes I can simply feel a tempo, a mood or an atmosphere, and I know this trio will provide the opportunity to develop that.”

Zhenya Strigalev - alto saxophone

Tim Lefebvre - electric bass

Eric Harland - drums

with guests:

Bruno Liberda - electronics

Matt Penman - double bass

John Escreet - keyboards

Alex Bonney - trumpet

Charles Armstrong - voice

Recorded November 2015 at Golden Retriever Studio, Berlin

Mixing and editing: Alex Bonney 

Sound Engineering: Arno Shumann 

Mastering: Peter Beckmann 

Produced by: Zhenya Strigalev 

Executive Producer: Michael Janisch

01. I Messed Up at the End of My Solo (Intro) [feat. Alex Bonney, Bruno Liberda, Eric Harland, John Escreet, Matt Penman & Tim Lefebvre] 2:10

02. Bio Active (feat. Alex Bonney, Bruno Liberda, Eric Harland, John Escreet, Matt Penman & Tim Lefebvre) 7:07

03. Not Upset (Coda 1) [feat. Alex Bonney, Bruno Liberda, Eric Harland, John Escreet, Matt Penman & Tim Lefebvre] 1:42

04. Bassgeingengeister (feat. Alex Bonney, Bruno Liberda, Eric Harland, John Escreet, Matt Penman & Tim Lefebvre) 1:51

05. Some Thomas (feat. Alex Bonney, Bruno Liberda, Eric Harland, John Escreet, Matt Penman & Tim Lefebvre) 5:24

06. Strange Party (Coda 2) [feat. Alex Bonney, Bruno Liberda, Eric Harland, John Escreet, Matt Penman & Tim Lefebvre] 2:41

07. Plasticksackerl Im Wind (feat. Alex Bonney, Bruno Liberda, Eric Harland, John Escreet, Matt Penman & Tim Lefebvre) 1:23

08. Little Struggle (Coda 3) [feat. Alex Bonney, Bruno Liberda, Eric Harland, John Escreet, Matt Penman & Tim Lefebvre] 1:52

09. Strange Party (feat. Alex Bonney, Bruno Liberda, Eric Harland, John Escreet, Matt Penman & Tim Lefebvre) 6:46

10. Reading Shakespeare (feat. Alex Bonney, Bruno Liberda, Eric Harland, John Escreet, Matt Penman & Tim Lefebvre) 3:08

11. Second Hand (feat. Alex Bonney, Bruno Liberda, Eric Harland, John Escreet, Matt Penman & Tim Lefebvre) 7:00

12. Heimwehharfe (feat. Alex Bonney, Bruno Liberda, Eric Harland, John Escreet, Matt Penman & Tim Lefebvre) 3:03

13. Snail (feat. Alex Bonney, Bruno Liberda, Eric Harland, John Escreet, Matt Penman & Tim Lefebvre) 5:03

14. Reading Shakespeare (Coda 4) [feat. Alex Bonney, Bruno Liberda, Eric Harland, John Escreet, Matt Penman & Tim Lefebvre] 2:03

15. Hot Exactly (feat. Alex Bonney, Bruno Liberda, Eric Harland, John Escreet, Matt Penman & Tim Lefebvre) 4:57

16. Strange Party (Coda 5) [feat. Alex Bonney, Bruno Liberda, Eric Harland, John Escreet, Matt Penman & Tim Lefebvre] 2:07

17. Not Upset (Coda 6) [feat. Alex Bonney, Bruno Liberda, Eric Harland, John Escreet, Matt Penman & Tim Lefebvre] 2:54

18. Are You Manageable? (feat. Alex Bonney, Bruno Liberda, Eric Harland, John Escreet, Matt Penman & Tim Lefebvre) 5:40

19. The Slow Rub (feat. Alex Bonney, Bruno Liberda, Eric Harland, John Escreet, Matt Penman & Tim Lefebvre) 4:08

20. Not Upset (Coda 7) [feat. Alex Bonney, Bruno Liberda, Eric Harland, John Escreet, Matt Penman & Tim Lefebvre] 2:45

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Peter Horvath - Absolute Reality (2016)

Label: Foreign Matter

Source: Smooth Jazz

Genre: Jazz-Fusion, Smooth-Jazz

Hungarian-born pianist and keyboardist Peter Horvath performs with the who­is­who of jazz such as Victor Bailey, Lenny White, Arturo Sandoval, Randy Brecker, Marcus Miller, and many more. While he is a in demand recording musician on numerous albums his solo career has only seen two albums yet. His debut album Foreign Matter (1995) and his sophomore album Absolute Reality.

Peter has assembled for the recordings of his new album a great amount of luminaries Victor Bailey, Marc Van Wageningen and Larry Kimpel (bass), Ricky Lawson and Lenny White (drums), Dean Brown and Ray Orbiedo (guitar), Norbert Stachel (sax), Randy Brecker (trumpet) among many others.

Peter Horvath has composed all tracks, some in collaboration with Norbert Stachel. The album shows up with Absolute Reality. A funky horn arrangement in the style of Tower of Power or East Bay Soul is the launching platform for Peters' rocket like journey over the keys of his grand piano.

Carla comes smoothly like silk with Horvath's intimate Rhodes piano and Bob Mintzer on tenor saxophone. Escape From Oakland is without any doubt a tour de par force. All musicians perform with great speed without neglecting melody, arrangement and improvising.

On Nassau Nights Peter reveals his affinity for smooth jazz and the influence of Fourplay on his work. Elegant performance on Rhodes piano, a harmonic horn arrangement and Kenny Washington on vocals are clear pluses. Waltz For Ella fosters in the contemporary jazz realm, while Latin rhythm elements and Marc Van Wageningen on bass give this fast paced piece some pepper. The tune is dedicated to his daughter Ella Nicole Horvath.

When Victor Bailey on bass, Ricky Lawson on drums, Ray Obiedo on guitar meet Peter Horvath on Rhodes then Fake Out gets a big dose of funk. Norbert Stachel on various brass and flute delivers a fine garnish. Miss You walks the line between jazz and melody, a musical journey with a deep expression of sadness and missing, dedicated to his mom, Matrai Zsuzsa, a great Hungarian singer.

Sardegna is an ode to the Italian island. Elegant Rhodes improvisation and a brass arrangement in the style of EWF are the highlight of this tune.

Foreign Matter dives into the bebop roots and when Peter begins to improvise, it can get a fast and wild ride. Final tune is a solo piano piece entitled Braden's Song and dedicated to his son Braden Michael Horvath.

With Absolute Reality Peter Horvath has put his whole personality and passion into this work. An eclectic album of the deserving wider recognition category. 

1  Absolute Reality
2  Carla
3  Escape from Oakland
4  Nassau Nights
5  Waltz for Ella
6  Fake Out
7  Miss You
8  Sardegna
9  Foreign Matter
10 Braden's Song

Peter Horvath - piano,keys,organ
Victor Bailey - bass
Lenny White - drums
Randy Brecker - trumpet
Bob Mintzer - sax
Dean Brown - guitar
Ray Orbiedo - guitar
Norbert Stachel - sax
Ricky Lawson - drums
Larry Kimpel - bass
Marc Van Wageningen - bass
Karl Perazzo - percussion
Walfredo Reyes Jr - drums

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