King Kong (An African Jazz Opera) - Various Artists

Advantages: Really impressive action adventure score, one of the best of 2005
Disadvantages: Some action scenes a little unremarkable

...INTRODUCTION After tackling with the giant undertaking of The Lord of the Rings trilogy and garnering so much critical and popular (as well as Oscar) success, director Peter Jackson had things pretty sweetly in his pocket, allowing him to basically do what ever he wanted. So with the studios more than willing to let Jackson have free reign over what to do next, he went in a completely different direction from the literary fantasy genre to a cinematic icon: King Kong. King Kong is of course one of the most famous movies ever made, involving a big ape being transported to New York from an obscure island as a spectacular new exibition only to escape, wreack havoc on the city, kidnap the pretty female lead, and climb to the top of the Empire State Building only to be fall down with a big thump. Made in 1933, the film was a huge... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: Great jazz tunes from the Golden Age
Disadvantages: None

...This is real jazz, from the real Golden Age of Jazz. It's got the pace, the rhythm, the fluid trumpet playing, the relentlessly enthusiastic, rolling piano playing and the clear diction of some excellent singing of vocalists who could not only hold a tune, but who could capture your heart and soul, too… There's musicians with such great names as Muggsy Spanier, Meade Lux Lewis, King Oliver and Sidney Bechet. You do not get musicians called Muggsy nowadays. I wonder why? As well as straight out jazz such as the Dippermouth blues, there's also the dreamy and melodic April in Paris from Charlie Parker. Some jazz aficionados reckon that Charlie Parker eventually sold out. Well, perhaps he did. But some of his earlier work still stands the test of time. Jack Teagarden is on this CD, with So Many Times, a rather nice, well... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Amazing Jazz improvisation, great sound and beautiful harmony
Disadvantages: None.

...Jazz in Africa is an excellent example of complex swing rhythms and fruitful harmony combined with witty and playful melodies. Instruments of a classic Jazz setup with a drumkit, double bass, piano, Saxophone and Trumpet. This Album is a personal favourite with some really special tracks on it. Track 2 Yardbird Suite is a great introduction to jazz, its full of life with a controlled expressive saxophone solo. Track 12 Gafsa Gypsies, a piano solo is a brilliant piece showing the piano in its more dreamy side. I think the questions when buying music in particular are: How tight is the music? How good is the sound quality? and is it really an positive experience into another culture? I think with Jazz in Africa Volume One I can really vouch for this album. Fair enough some of it may sound like a bit wild, wandering off the point... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful