Advertisement
Advertisement

Kārlis Vanags / Latvian Radio Big Band: Identities

In brief:
"Identities delivers on all the key aspects of a contemporary big band recording: that rich unified sound, with some swinging solos throughout. And in a recording this crisp, little else is needed"

Identities is the latest recording from the Latvian Radio Big Band – self-described as “one of the most legendary jazz music ensembles in the Baltics”.

The seven tightly woven compositions are written, arranged and conducted by tenor saxophonist Kārlis Vanags, and were recorded directly onto analogue tape during a live performance back in January 2020. The recording quality can’t really be faulted, and not one voice is lost among the ensemble.

Advertisement

Two particularly funky pieces – Self Esteem, and Belief – form the head and tail of the album and feature some fantastic performances from guest musicians Atis Andersons on the Hammond organ, and Jievaras Jasinskis on trombone.

On Inner Voice, the band draw back and allow pianist Viktors Ritovs to take a short unaccompanied solo: Mellow and introspective, it stands out amongst the rest of the bolder big-band arrangements as a particularly beautiful composition.

Ultimately, Identities delivers on all the key aspects of a contemporary big band recording: that rich unified sound, with some swinging solos throughout. And in a recording this crisp, little else is needed.

Hear/buy Kārlis Vanags / Latvian Radio Big Band: Identities at jersikarecords.bandcamp.com/album/identities

Discography:
Self Esteem; New Life; Hopes and Dreams; Priorities; Inner Voice; Challenges; Belief (41.44)
Vanags (arr, ts); Dāvis Jurka (as, f, cl); Jānis Puķītis (as, ss, cl); Gints Pabērzs (ts, ss); Māris Jēkabsons (ts); Kristaps Lubovs (bar, bcl); Andris Augstkalns, Gatis Gorkuša, Oskars Ozoliņš, Reinis Puriņš, Dominykas Vyšniauskas (t); Laura Rozenberga, Kārlis Alfrēds Feldbergs, Uldis Ziediņš, Jievaras Jasinskis (tb); Nauris Strežs (btb, tu); Viktors Ritovs (p, kyb); Rihards Goba (g); Edvīns Ozols (b, elb); Artis Orubs (d); Atis Andersons (org). Spikeri Concert Hall, Riga, 28-30 January 2020.
Jersika Records JRA007

Latest audio reviews

Advertisement

More from this author

Advertisement

Jazz Journal articles by month

Advertisement

Chris Ingham Quartet: Hoagy II

Suffolk singer and pianist continues to ply the songbook, this time producing a second Hoagland tribute, with Paul Higgs on trumpet
Advertisement

Obituary: Curtis Fuller

One of the best and most consistent hard bop soloists on the slide trombone, Curtis Fuller did not receive the full praise and recognition...
Advertisement

Helen O’Connell, one of the finest

The good news is we’re living smack dab in the heart of Centenary Central, the really good news is how many centenarians are of...
Advertisement

The Inconvenient Lonnie Johnson

Author, musician and academic Julia Simon argues the case in her book that Alonzo “Lonnie” Johnson is inconvenient for scholars for a variety of...
Advertisement

Billy Cobham: Jazz Legends, Live At The Palais Des Festivals Hall, Cannes 1989

Despite the sighting of two mullets and a mix dominated by a synth sound you would associate with Spandau Ballet, this 45-minute show from...

Billie

Advertisement

JJ 07/59: Chris Barber: Chris Barber Jazz Parade, Volume One

Offhand, I can't think of any Barber recording that I actually dislike. Always, with Chris, there is a light, attractive swing, and the airy...
"Identities delivers on all the key aspects of a contemporary big band recording: that rich unified sound, with some swinging solos throughout. And in a recording this crisp, little else is needed"Kārlis Vanags / Latvian Radio Big Band: Identities