Sometimes you get a CD release which sounds rather good. However it might not really fit in the musical genre we normally review on our website. Sometimes you hear excellent albums on which jazz rock and fusion are displayed and you do feel a connection with progressive rock. As hard rock or metal have the same connection. It happened to me with the album Live! In Jazz Club Pinokio! released by the Polish Three Generations Trio. Therefore, a review is definitely deserved on our website. More lovers of our beloved genre will surely enjoy this release. You have to know that this album was originally released in 1995. But now almost thirty years later a reissue is released with an extra bonus track. Titled Radom (John & Margaret), a studio recording which was originally released on Songs For Friends in 1994. The live recordings were made on December 14 in 1992 at Jazz Club Pinokio, Szczecin. Which is of course in Poland. It appeared that this is the only full-length recorded memento of the meeting of the three musicians. They captured the virtuosos from three different generations in one concert. That's how they got their name Three Generations Trio. The oldest in the group is Zbigniew Lewandowski. You might call him a veteran of jazz drums. The real star in the band is the excellent guitarist Marek Raduli, associated at the time mainly with Banda i Wanda or Bajm. The youngster at the time was bassist Wojciech Pilichowski, known at that time primarily from the Jan Borysewicz Trio. All three are also sought-after session musicians and it was one of such sessions that resulted in the formation of the trio. Despite the age difference, the musicians quickly found a real chemistry between them. Which was right away also translated on stage during live performances. You have to know that they started playing concerts after only two rehearsals. But when you hear them it sounds as if they had been performing together for many years. The concert that ended up on the album was recorded without the musicians' knowledge. Therefore you have to thank the sound engineer for doing this. Maybe you would not expect it from a recording made almost 30 years ago, but the sound is very good. You never hear chaotic music, noise or other interference in the sound. The instrumental jazz rock and fusion that you can enjoy, contains mostly their own compositions. Mainly written by Radula. The trio also copied the songs of other composers. You can hear their version of Stolen Protocol originally done by John Scofield and So What originally done by Miles Davis. They gave great performances of these covers. Completely unique versions can be heard. Most of all the famous piece by Miles differs greatly from the original. I guess that's the way to play the music from other composers and musicians. Live! In Jazz Club Pinokio! is in its remastered form very much welcomed nowadays. You probably don't know that in those days it quickly became a cult album and very much appreciated in both jazz and rock circles. For many years it was not not available. The new version is even better than the first release. It is enriched with a booklet which includes the history of the project and many photos to look at. Moreover, you can hear next to the original concert material an extra studio version of the song Radom. On which the members once again show all their musical talents. So much more to gain. Recommended to those who look beyond the progressive rock horizon. Most of all if you are into instrumental jazz rock and fusion mixed with musical references of progressive rock. ***+ Henri Strik (edited by Tracy van Os van den Abeelen) Where to buy? |
