5th July 2014: Michael Janisch @ 606 Club July 15: ‘First Meeting’ London release + free music + 4 Star Guardian, The Jazz Mann, NYC Record, Wondering Sound
Whirlwind Recordings founder and bassist/composer/producer Michael Janisch’s star continues to rise with the recent release of his First Meeting: Live in London, Volume 1, a special collaboration with the legendary Lee Konitz, pianist Dan Tepfer and WWR artist and veteran drummer Jeff Williams. The album was recorded during Janisch’s Pizza Express Jazz Club residency a few years back and has been received with big accolades in the press from around the world since it’s release in early June. MJ will be celebrating the release of the album at the 606 club on the 15th of July with a special band featuring Zhenya Strigalev on alto saxophone, Phil Robson on guitar and over from NYC guest drummer Colin Stranahan. We’re running a special on the night as well– anyone who purchases a copy of First Meeting will receive a FREE download card of two of Janisch’s previous releases with us: Purpose Built and Banned in London.
We’ve also had some great press come in for the record including a 4 star review from The Guardian, 4 Star from JazzMann, and great mentions in both the NYC Jazz Record & Wondering Sound. After the promo video, we’ve copied the highlights to date.
“Spellbinding”
4 Stars, The Guardian
“This is a live recording that captures the essence of improvisational musical dialogue. Half the fun is guessing the response to various musical gambits and where the conversation will lead next.”
4 Stars, Downbeat Magazine
“This is a collaborative success, but the presence of Konitz will be the main attraction for many listeners, and he makes all the difference to this wonderful album. His mode of expression is remarkably resistant to the passing of the years, and more importantly, no-one in the world sounds remotely like him.”
London Jazz News
“This is the sound of four musicians at the top of their game. Don’t be fooled by the choices of material, this is far more than a routine standards session. There’s a genuine sense of adventure about this music with some of the pieces being altered almost beyond recognition – but in a good way. Individual and collaborative highlights abound with the audiences at the Pizza Express being treated to something out of the ordinary.”
4 Stars, The Jazz Mann
“The dimensions to his [Konitz’s] lyricism continue to become increasingly nuanced and expressive. The set of standards is comprised of your usual suspects, but the unpredictability the quartet lends them in the live setting gives old songs a fresh breath of air.”
Wondering Sound
“A series of stimulating duos, trios and quartet.”
The Northern Echo
“Listen to this valuable album and you’ll want more of: the weariness (‘Billie’s Bounce’); the soliloquising in the jazz soloist’s sense (Konitz’s soprano solo at the beginning of ‘All The Things You Are’); the modernism (Tepfer’s beginning to ‘Stella By Starlight’); the Monkian dimension, again Tepfer setting things up on the intro to the off kilter swing of the trio take on ‘Giant Steps’; the spontaneity (there was no rehearsal or plan); and the tenderness and quietude with Konitz’s entry on ‘Body and Soul’ just beautiful.”
4 Stars, Marlbank
“The first thing that hits you on “Billie’s Bounce”, the opening track of First Meeting, is the provocative nature of the trio, challenging Konitz with a fusillade of rhythmic and chordal textures and clangor. Williams stirs up whirlwinds on his kit, coaxing Konitz into Ornette-like ravenous bluesy lines. Konitz’ lush-toned soprano work is a highlight of the album, featured on a suave “All the Things You Are” with just bass and drums. Compared to Standards Live [Lee’s new live album out on Enja Records], Konitz seems more energized and engaged on First Meeting and the ensemble more adventurous.”
The New York City Jazz Record
“The luxuriously emphatic bass intro to Alone Together is a reminder of Janisch’s musicality and power, and Konitz’s signature song, Subconscious Lee, is a fast-moving and inventive ensemble conversation.”
4 Stars, The Guardian
“A glance at what compositions were played tells you nothing; being in the moment is everything. Among the most enticing moments here are the engaging interplay between pianist Dan Tepfer & Konitz on ‘Billie’s Bounce’ and a hard grooving Janisch solo on on ‘All The Things You Are’.
4 Stars, Downbeat Magazine
“Konitz, Tepfer and Williams are outstanding and Janisch, on whose Whirlwind label the album is being released, is his usual inventive tower of strength.”
Bebop Spoken Here
“Janisch’s breathtaking, unaccompanied introduction to Alone Together is another highlight. He bristles with energy, and seizes the opportunity to raise his game at this significant juncture in his distinguished career.”
London Jazz News