Bad Press. . .

. . . is better than no press. . .

When I first read Samantha's review of my release ANOTHER SHOT, I was somewhat hurt.  After all, when one spends considerable time, effort (and maybe even talent) on a particular project, one doesn't like to have it so easily and summarily dismissed.  But on re-reading it, she really did have some nice things to say about the solo piano.  I don't really feel so bad about it after reading it again. Well, you live and you learn.  I'm willing to go on.  I even hope Samantha will review another one of my releases.  (Hell.  I got 5 Golden Eggs - That doesn't sound bad. . .does it?)

(from "Buzzlegoose.com" by Samantha Hatfield) 
"In all of my musical experiences there is a genre that has in some ways always evaded me.  While I love old standards, there is something about jazz music that I just never really understood.  When I was passed Ray Jozwiak’s latest album Another Shot I sat down, in an attempt to find the beauty in a musical art form that never totally made sense.

Ray Jozwiak is a Baltimore-based artist who performs what can be referred to as “fractured jazz”.  His compositions are focused in piano performance.  Jozwiak uses piano, keyboard, acoustic guitar, and electronic and acoustic percussion throughout the album to achieve a layering effect with much of his music.  Much of his music is what can be called “fractured jazz” but his more classic piano compositions are much more enjoyable.

“Impressive”, the second track on the album is a more traditional jazz piano performance.  Rather than getting weighed down by the combination of too many instrumental layers, Jozwiak uses just the piano to create a rather lengthy arrangement.  It is pleasant to listen to containing many bluesy tones.  “Pedantic Verdantic” is another soothing piano composition.

In much of the rest of the album, Jozwiak provides music that listens more as an instrumental jam band break a la Phish.  However, this is a somewhat lame comparison because when you listen to a Phish record there is something about it that really jams ringing true with heart and feeling.  Much of Jozwiak’s music has a fake electrical sound as though it were produced in a computer or through the stock sounds of an electric keyboard.

“Fred & Ginger” is a very strange track that sounds as though it was imported straight from a 70s couples cruise.  This is the only track on the album that contains vocals and was intended to be a “tale of woe” but did not read this way at all.  There is something extremely cheesy about the whole song that becomes muddled about halfway through getting lost in a mess of drum, tambourine, piano and vocals.

Jozwiak’s Another Shot certainly made me appreciate traditional jazz much more than I ever had in the past but his experimental, keyboard produced “fractured jazz” lacked heart and sincerity.  His compositions seem strong, but he needs work on finding something truly inspiring and heartfelt.

5 Golden Eggs

Top Tracks: “Pedantic Vedantic”"


PEDANTIC VEDANTIC
From ANOTHER SHOT
http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/rayjozwiak
©2010 Raymond M. Jozwiak




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