The latest from UK-based Leo Records has moods for all moods.
Pianist Alvin Schwaar goes solo on a highly impressionistic collection of sonatas. He shows a soft touch on the reflective “Colours And Whispers” with gentle ideas fo “Ocean of Thoughts”. There are dark patternsto “Lacher-Prise” and chiming chords on an urgent “To All Dancing Souls” with rich romance during “Bikehunt”. Modern nocturnes.
Yes, there are four double basses on this album by Peter K Frey/b, Jan Schlegel/eg, Daniel Studer/b and Christian Weber/b. Three of the five songs are fairly concise, with the strings rambling and scrambling on” Jurassic Lullaby”, a stringed Morse Code on “Briefly Drawn” and a brooding bow for “ Klunka Chunka”. The 15 minute “Fluid II” is acidic in tone, and sways so much as to cause motion sickness; the 28 minute marathon “Fluid I” bows, picks, scratches, jars and collides like a Neopolitan traffic jam. Did anyone get the license number?
Most swinging is the collection by Russian vocalist Karin Kozhevnikova (which is the LAST time I’m typing it out completely) with Alexey Krulov/as, Nikolay Zatolochny/b and Petr Ivshin/dr for some exciting interpretations. KK is clear and hip on a sleek “So What” and does some clever unison lines with Krulov on “Strolling”. The team snaps to “I Mean You” and Krulov’s horn is bright for “Bouncing With Bud”. KK is intuitive and flexible as she scats to “The Blessing” and soars around to the brooding “Lonely Woman”. From Russia with love.