Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Doruzka Wyle?o? Ballard: Andromeda's Mystery
Doruzka Wyle?o? Ballard: Andromeda's Mystery
Jeff Ballard
drumsb.1963
Brad Mehldau
pianob.1970
Jorge Rossy
drumsb.1964
Pat Metheny
guitarb.1954
Lionel Loueke
guitarb.1973
David Doruzka
guitarb.1980
The album was recorded in June 2021 in Brno, Czech Republic. Half of the tracks are compositions by Doru?ka, who is considered among the foremost young guitarists on the Czech jazz scene. Piotr Wyle?o?, from Poland, has three compositions on the recording, while Ballard has one.
Doru?ka as the centerpiece is a light and agile strummer with spurts of fury, with influences from Bill Frisell, Jim Hall, Marc Ribot and Frank Zappa. Zappa has had an immense influence on Czech rock and jazz, so at times, even if just momentarily, this trio sounds like Zappa's zesty and experimental forays into jazz-rock fusion.
The title track is inspired by the Greek myth of Andromeda. Opening track "From the Farthest Sky to the Deepest Sea" is contemplative and slow-building, revealing Wylezot's reverence for Mehldau's classical side. It is followed by a shift to jazz-rock fusion on "No Electricity." From this point on, it seems to be a friendly ping-pong affair of softer and cerebral compositions by Doru?ka, in contrast with harder, louder and certainly more unleashed ones composed by Wyle?o?. On the fourth track, "All My Tomorrows," Ballard opens it up by playing much of it with his bare hands and this one stands out as among the loosest, easy-going and melodious tracks.
Ballard's "Lone" at midpoint is a tender interlude. It is followed by the title track, by Doru?ka, which starts with a rocker's sizzle that Ballard masterfully leads, providing groundwork for solos by Wyle?o? (on organ and synthesizer) and showcasing Doru?ka. Track seven, by Doru?ka, is titled "Chorale (in Memory of Tomasz Stanko and Edward Vesala)." This is the most melancholic track of all. The jazz-rock fusion closer, "Murky Waters," by Wyle?o?, is a furious climax. The Moog serves as bass without detracting from Wyle?o?'s solos on synth then electric piano. One wishes they would have at least a few more in the same vein to follow. For lack of any new releases from the Mehldau Trio, this album gets close enough. ">
Track Listing
From the Farthest Sky to the Deepest Sea; No Electricity; Sweet Farewell; All My Tomorrows; Lone; Andromeda's Mystery; Chorale (In Memory of Tomas Stanko and Edward Vesala); Murky Waters.
Personnel
Album information
Title: Andromeda's Mystery | Year Released: 2022 | Record Label: Bivak Records
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