Customer Reviews

Morava

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George Mraz's "Morava" is an ambitious project which yielded gorgeous results. A native of Czechoslovakia, and one of jazz's great bassists, he decided to meld the folk music of his native land (Moravia) with the jazz music of his adopted country (the U.S).

Some musical experiments succeed, while others fail, but "Morava" is definitely in the former category. This is just a gorgeous album, full of beautiful tunes, wondrous playing, and the ethereal vocals of Zuzana Lapcíková.

Mraz's bass playing is a marvel. It is muscular, yet sensuous and delicate and wondrously melodic at the same time. He is one of those gifted musicians who just seems to exude musical perfection, always hitting exactly the right note with exactly the right phrasing.

The other musicians (Billy Hart on drums, Emil Viklicky on piano and Lapcikova occasionally on cymbalom) perform beautifully as well. To say that they are all on the same page is an understatement. The interplay is positively telepathic. Though on the quiet side, the music is propulsive and consistently engaging. Your foot will be tapping while your ears drink in the melodies.

I wish I could compare this album to something else, but nothing really comes to mind because it is fairly unique. The vocals might appeal to fans of Astrud Gilberto, Flora Purim, and even Joni Mitchell. The music should appeal to jazz-heads, bass players, and anyone with an appreciation of beauty.

An outstanding set built around the Moravian folk melodies Mraz listened to as a child. The band is tight, although it may take a few listens before one warms-up to vocalist Zuzana Lapcikova, a well-known Czech folk singer.

I haven't been this excited to hear a new (to me) bassist since I picked up Explorations by the Bill Evans Trio with Scott LaFaro. Mraz plays with great command throughout the range of the bass and his lines are phrased so naturally that each solo contains what could become a melody for a new piece - much like what Ray Brown was know for. Zuzana Lapcikova sings with the same delicate emotion of Astrud Gilberto on Corcovado from the Getz/Gilberto record of 1964. Another that comes to mind when listening to her unique vocal style is Maria Booker (vocalist on Dindi from Wayne Shorter's lesser known Supernova). The capper on this record though was, for me, the presence of world-class drummer Billy Hart who has proven himself as likely the most versatile drummer ever. He appears on several tracks and provides an impeccable connection between Mraz and pianist Emil Viklicky.

The idea of folk music adaptation is by no means a new one. Composers Bela Bartok, Zoltan Kodaly and Leos Janacek explored the realm of ethnomusicology earlier in the 20th century. However the importance of both folk music and established roots in musical development are impossible to ignore. Such beginnings form a broad base on which to build. Mraz has done just this and, with the collaborative efforts of the very conscientious musicians heard on Morava, has successfully created a highly personal, highly important record.