Recent Releases No. 61 (CD Reviews)

by Karl Nehring

Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 9 in E-flat major, “Jeunehomme,” K. 271; Piano Concerto No. 24 in C minor K. 491. Lars Vogt, piano and conductor; Orchestre de Chambre de Paris. Ondine  ODE 1414-2

Many music lovers already know that this release is one of the few final recordings made by the late German pianist Lars Vogt (1970-2022). The CD booklet includes an interview with the recording producer Christophe Franke, who was a good friend of Vogt’s. Franke points out that at the time Vogt recorded the album, he was already undergoing chemotherapy. “He came to Paris with noticeably less hair, with grey skin, a pale complexion. And yet, or precisely for this reason, Lars absolutely wanted to record this album. For all the unshakable optimism that Lars radiated at all times, he knew that he probably had no chance. But he believed that a miracle perhaps would occur. This ambivalence was in the air the whole time: the hope in the impossible and at the same time the knowledge that it probably would be futile.” Is there any better capsule description of the music on this program? These two concertos manage to intermingle feelings of hope and hopelessness while expressing both with deft artistry, both in their composition (thanks to Mozart) and their performance (thanks to Vogt and the Chamber Orchestra of Paris). The engineers and producers also deserve special mention for the pleasing sound quality and touching liner notes, which combine to make this a remarkable release in every way. 

Yussef Dayes: Black Classical Music. Black Classical Music; Afro Cubanism;  Raisins Under the Sun; Rust; Turquoise Galaxy; The Light; Pon di Plaza; Magnolia Symphony; Early Dayes; Chasing the Drum; Birds of Paradise; Gelato; Marching Band; Crystal Palace Park; Presidential; Jukebox; Woman's Touch; Tioga Pass; Cowrie Charms. Yussef Dayes, drums, vocals; Charlie Stacey, piano, keyboards, synthesizers; Venna, saxophone; Rocco Palladino, bass; Alexander Bourt, congas, percussion; Rory Cashmere Pagan, live Fx; Shabaka Hutchings, bass clarinet; Miles James, guitar, synthesizers; Sheila Maurice Grey, trumpet; Nathaniel Cross, tuba; Tom Misch, guitar, bass, keyboards, vocals; Paris Fabienne, vocals; Chronixx, vocals, guitar, bass; Adrian “Jerks” Henry, bass; Chineke! Orchestra; Dave Dayes, vocals; Luzinho do Jêfé, percussion, vocals; Tito Oliveira De Souza, drums; Masego, vocals; Elijah Fox, keyboards, synthesizers; Maxwell Hunter, bass; Jahaan Sweet, keyboards, vocals, production; Alex Bonfanti, bass; Laurie Blundell, Percussion; Jamilah Barry, Vocals; Barbara Hicks, savasana; Leon Thomas, vocals. Ravenswood Recordings (UK) – Nonesuch (USA)

 

As evidenced by the title of his new album, London-born drummer and composer Yussef Dayes (b. 1993) has a high regard for the history and heritage of jazz. "What is jazz?” asks the young drummer. “Where did the word derive from? Birthed in New Orleans, born in the belly of the Mississippi River, rooted in the gumbo pot of the Caribbean, South American culture, and African rituals. Continuing a lineage of Miles Davis, Rahsaan Roland Kirk, Nina Simone, John Coltrane, Louis Armstrong -- music that is forever evolving limitless in its potential. The groove, its feeling, the compositions, the spontaneity, with a love for family, the discipline and dedication in maintaining the very high bar set by the pantheon of Black Classical Musicians. Chasing the rhythm of drums that imitated one's heartbeat, the melodies for the mind and spirit, the bass for the core. A regal sound for this body of music." And that is what you hear throughout the 74 minutes of this eclectic, energetic, enthusiastic album. Don’t let the long list of credits mislead you; not everyone plays at once. Instead, various combinations play in a variety of styles, usually anchored by Dayes’s exuberant drumming. This is optimistic music that can’t help but lift your spirits, as you can see from this video of a live performance of the title cut. Even if you don’t consider yourself a jazz fan, you just might want to give Black Classical Music a listen.