Review on Wonderful Times

"We’re living in times that enable us to keep contact via internet, and not only to keep in contact, but to cherish friendships, to share thoughts and emotions, to let others take part in our lives. There don’t seem to be borders any longer. But what about also making music “the virtual way”? Could it ever be possible without losing spirit, mood and authenticity? It seems like this …

“Wonderful Times” is a little musical miracle worked by a group of musicians from different parts of the world: Stan Zaslavsky (Russia) on piano, Cheryl Pyle (New York) on flute, Hans P. Salentin (Cologne, Germany) on trumpet, Max Ridgway (Oklahoma) on guitar; Brian M. Brody (Oklahoma) on saxophone, Tony Cimorosi (New York) on bass, Sean O Bryan Smith (Tennessee) on electric bass and Papa Z (Russia) on drums. Most of them never met face to face – and yet the result of this international collaboration is one of the finest modern jazz albums I’ve listened to so far!

The thousands of miles between the continents where are they? Resolved into a dew, into nothing but the here and now, not a physical face-to-face, but quasi a “face to face-state” of like-mindedness in music. Cheryl’s poetry in spoken words in “Other constellations” and “Irene was here”, framed only by light, swift flute runs and piano are the beautiful serious counterpoint to the wonderfully serene title track “Wonderful Times”, the other tunes lined up like pearls on a chain between those poles, a spectrum from joyful to poetic that embraces all colours.

Although there is quite some music of which I could say that it made me serene and happy by listening, this album definitely adds its own quality to it by the sheer joy of making music that just bursts out of every note and by its outstanding, highly artistic approach. It is one thing to have outstanding musical ideas – but to transform them into reality with musical means in the perfection shown here, yet warm and full of life is an achievement that is a class of its own! 
Congratulations!"

C .von Hinte feb 9, 2012 -
reviews by jazz lovers-cdbaby
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WONDERFUL TIMES -dewey records/kazhargan-2012-
 "This excellent new jazz release is the happy result of cross-national internet file sharing -- often a recipe for clunky step-on-each-other's-foot instrumental interplay but you wouldn't know it from the seamless results to be heard here. Among the many multi-talents on display is trumpet from Cologne (Hans Peter Salentin), saxophone and guitar from Oklahoma (Brian Mitchell Brody, Max Ridgway), flute and bass from New York (Cheryl Pyle, Tony Cimorosi), electro bass from Tennessee (Sean O'Bryan Smith) -- all under the benign leadership of keyboardist Stan Zaslavsky (from Russia), who has dubbed the whole project Kazhargan World. Drummer and percussionist Papa Z (Stan's father) provides the supple rhythms which hold the whole thing together. In some ways this is a sunlit version of an intriguing, noirish ECM session from a few years back called NEW YORK DAYS, released under Italian trumpeter Enrico Rava's name but which also included a even-handed mix of American and European musicians. Likewise the sound on WONDERFUL TIMES is a post-fusion melange of late-Miles themes and other contemporary jazz tropes. But it's never overly abstract or typically avant-garde or, worse, second-hand. Instead there's a happy, dancing quality to the whole bright affair. Hans Peter Salentin's strong trumpet work (alternating on mute) predominates but it is Cheryl Pyle's fluent flute work which truly shines in the mix. Pyle also contributes some evocative spoken word interludes ("Invisible Celebration," "Irene Was Here"), her unmistakable American accent grounding this ostensible world project in some ideal, imaginary USA of the ear. Throughout Zaslavsky provides sympathetic support on acoustic and electric keys, giving ample room to his selected group of soloists, and never once hogging the proceedings. 

Richard Mortifoglio nyc cdbaby reviews by jazz lovers
http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/stansazlavsky
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http://www.criticaljazz.com/2012/01/kazhargan-world-wonderful-times-dewey.htmlKazhargan World Wonderful Times Dewey Records 2012 


             "So I'm digging the cover art...
  A nice warm sound that is earthy along with some interesting post modern riffs bordering on accessible free jazz only to discover the musicians involved in the project were never actually present in the same room at the time of the recording. 
                 Enter Kazhargan World.
  An international jazz collective from Russia, Germany and various areas within the United States of America. Artists in all genres have occasionally "phoned it in" using various electronic platforms with the end result being predictable and incredibly sterile. 
           Not this time...
 The opening tune "Wonderful Times" has an intriguing swing with a subtle undercurrent of harmonic dynamic tension. A textured sound that brings an amazing sonic depth of field to the forefront. A tune that is a critics worst nightmare and guaranteed to have label executives perched on the nearest ledge as this eclectic ensemble artfully dodges any previously accepted sub-genre jazz has to offer. 
      Contemporary beatnik meets post modern free jazz? 
 "Kazhargan" is described in the press release and in this context as a word of open interpretation and an invitation for the listener to find the musical path of their choosing. "After Time" carries the cool post bop vibe of Miles Davis where trumpet virtuoso Hans Peter Salentin tips his musical hat to the icon with a stellar muted trumpet and groove to match. Normally spoken word pieces that pop up in the jazz idiom are like nails down a chalk board for me but not here. The incredibly open ended sound, all most conceptual by nature is perfectly suited to the occasional spoken word piece by Cheryl Pyle. The zen like approach of Pyle captures the essence of the compositions perfectly. "Live Under Water" continues the Miles Davis ambient quality with Salentin's virtuoso like performance. The ebb and flow and effortless cohesion of this large ensemble takes on the feel of the more traditional working band while keeping in mind this recording is all done via the Internet. "Irene Was Here" is an expressive ballad and delightful lyrical gem featuring Pyle along with pianist Stan Z.
 An overall warmth and accessibility permeates Kazhargan World. A world that is a unique and engaging both on a visceral and cerebral level. To achieve an organic base while pushing each individual voice to achieve their own special character under these highly formatted conditions is an amazing accomplishment. Kazhargan World takes the more free form approach and creates their own post modern hybrid that is a sweeping sound scape of lyrical and harmonic ingenuity. Each musician involved is deserving of high praise.  
 More than a recording, Kazhargan World is a jazz experience that offers the unique opportunity to become a musical blank slate and then create your own world. "

Tracks: Wonderful Times; Children Of The World; Mayan Prophecy; Other Constellations; After Time; Spirit of Discovery; Invisible Celebration; Live Under Water; My Motherland; Irene Was Here; All Day Rain; Cuban Snow. 


Personnel: Stanislav Zaslavsky: piano; Hans Peter Salentin: trumpet; Cheryl Pyle: flute, poems & voice; Max Ridgway: guitar; Brian Mitchell Brody: saxophone; Tony Cimorosi: ns double bass; Sean O Bryan Smith: electric bass; Papa Z: drums & percussion. 
http://www.kazhargan.com/
http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/stanzaslavsky
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A correction to the above review: The guitarist's name is Max Ridgway from Oklahoma, not Stan.
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