Jan 30 2018
Recommended: Stefanie Kunckler Ymonos – “Le Jour Avec les Yeux Fermés”
The presence of the accordion is such that it almost dictates a direction toward folk music. The instrument’s voice is practically an assertion of intent. But that’s not how the enchanting 2017 release from Stefanie Kunckler Ymonos plays out. The double bassist infuses the music with a deep melodicism that speaks more of the modern European jazz form of expression, and the way it easily flows into chamber and other classical music forms. There are times when the music of Le Jour Avec les Yeux Fermés sets down roots on the brink of transformation from jazz to other music, and just lets the tension simmer endlessly away. With bass clarinet and piano adding soul and grace as balance, Kunckler’s Ymonos ensemble frees the accordion to add subtle harmonic textures and voicing that ranges far outside the simple role of adding personality via a folksy charm. Instead, it’s just one voice in the mix, and it’s why every voice in the ensemble shines so brightly on this lovely album.
I’m still writing about 2017 releases, because I keep finding wonderful albums like this.
Your album personnel: Stefanie Kunckler (double bass), Thomas Lüscher (piano), Philipp Hillebrand (bass clarinet), Raphael Ochsenbein (accordion), Marius Peyer (drums, percussion) and guest: Karin Meier (vocals).
Released on Unit Records.
Listen to more of the album on the artist’s Bandcamp page.
Music from Zürich, Switzerland.
Feb 26 2018
You really need to check out these new releases from Pericopes
Alessandro Sgobbio and Emiliano Vernizzi have been working under the project name Pericopes for a number of years now. Those of you who have been with me since my eMusic Jazz Picks days will recognize the name. Well, the duo have two new albums out, and it goes a long way to illustrating the vast emotional range at their disposal.
Your album personnel: Emiliano Vernizzi (soprano & tenor saxophones) and Alessandro Sgobbio (piano).
Released on Unit Records.
Listen to more of the album on the artist’s Soundcloud page.
Available at: Amazon | eMusic
Equally notable are the parallels to be drawn between Legacy and What What, and how Sgobbio and Vernizzi are in no way inhibited from applying some of the same approaches to intensity with either recording, and regardless of the line-up. It was this way, too, when they worked as a trio on their 2015 release These Human Beings.
Your album personnel: Emiliano Vernizzi (tenor sax) and Alessandro Sgobbio (piano, Fender Rhodes) and Nick Wight (drums).
Released on Auand Records.
Available at: Amazon | eMusic
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By davesumner • Jazz Recommendations - 2018 • 0 • Tags: Alessandro Sgobbio, Auand Records, Emiliano Vernizzi, Pericopes, Two-Fer Review series, Unit Records label