Album Notes

…Captured in excellent sound quality, the two play through a purely instrumental program made up of - as the title says - boogie, blues and more, whereby the "more" consists of jazz echoes and the "Maple Leaf Rag", nothing classical. Sobczyk's technique makes him an absolutely high calibre pianist. The blues thunder, as they should, but he is also convincing in the quieter passages. In some of the numbers, Franz Luttenberger joins in on trumpet, playing very emotionally and with a beautiful tone.

For my taste, it's particularly interesting when Sobczyk incorporates unusual and surprising runs in his boogies and shuffles - that's an aspect he should stay with as it sets him apart from the many good pianists of this genre with whom Germany and Austria are blessed. What I almost liked the most was the untitled hidden track that comes at the end. On it, Sobczyk recreates a James Booker piece in New Orleans-R&B style. All those who look for top-notch piano music should remember this name. (kk)