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Nothing Like a Ballad

TONY LAKATOS

CD
FABIO MIANO, IGNASI GONZÁLEZ, JO KRAUSE
JAZZ / LATIN-JAZZ
EDICIONES BLAU RECORDS (EBLR43 02)
8424295378590
In these times, it is not easy to find anything that permits us to foresee with clarity the direction in which jazz is evolving. . For this reason, let us forget for a moment questions such as “should art advance or not ?”. This could be an option that would allow us to enjoy music in all of its splendor.
In this context it is very comforting to run into recordings like “Nothing Like a Ballad” by Gypsy saxophonist Tony Lakatos, whose proposal would draw as much interest three decades ago as in the remote future. However, since we are asking these questions, one would ask what is the necessity of recording a handful of ballads that have already been recorded and are amongst the favorites of any serious jazz fan. I don’t think that there is any answer to this question and perhaps it’s probably not even worth trying to find one. After listening to “Nothing Like a Ballad”, I would prefer to write about the enormous beauty of this recording.
Situated in a very comfortable space-time frame, Lakatos proposes his conception of ten ballads such as the mysterious “What’s New”, the atmospheric “Chelsea Bridge” , or to mention one more , his version of “Infant Eyes” which in my judgement would serve to fully defend the meaning and the function of the ballad in all of its power of expression and emotion in the heart of afro-american music.
Accompanied by an excellent rythmn section that have been playing together for many years in different projects, the saxophonist revindicates such essential values in jazz music as are individuality and leadership. His warm and profound sound flows with the tightly knitted accompaniment provided by the pianist Fabio Miano, the bassist Ignasi Gonzalez and the drummer Jo Krause.
My opinion is that “Nothing Like a Ballad” is one of those necessary records, not only to emphasize the importance of the ballad as a classical and timeless art form, but also to allow us to become travelers , taking us on beautiful journeys which will inevitably affect our emotions.

Josep Ramon Jové
La Pobla de Cérvoles, May, 2023


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