Record Reviews

ZBIGNIEW SEIFERT ~ LIVE RECORDINGS 1973 & 1976 SWR JAZZHAUS 479 (Barcode: 730099047951) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 1973 - 1976 Released: 2021 This is a sensational archive album by Polish Jazz violinist / composer Zbigniew SeifertFind albums by this artist. It presents live recordings from the vaults of the German SWR broadcasting corporation. The first four tracks are performed by a duo comprising of Seifert and legendary German trombonist Albert MangelsdorffFind albums by this artist, captured at the 1976 Donaueschingen Musiktage, produced by my Friend and Mentor Joachim BerendtFind albums by this artist. Two of the pieces are spontaneously improvised and the other two are composed one each by Seifert and Mangelsdorff. The fifth track, recorded at the 1973 New Jazz Meeting in Baden-Baden, also produced by Berendt (at his home town), finds Seifert as a member of an international Jazz-Rock Fusion sextet with New Zealand (resident in UK at the time) pianist Dave MacRaeFind albums by this artist, Dutch keyboardists Jasper van`t HofFind albums by this artist, Belgian guitarist Philip CatherineFind albums by this artist, who also composed the tune they perform, German bassist Peter TrunkFind albums by this artist and British drummer John MarshallFind albums by this artist. The duo tracks are simply sensational, a beautiful example of the “Art of the Duo” idiom and Improvised Music at its best. Mangelsdorff was already a veteran pioneer of the duo (and solo) formats by that time, but as far as Seifert was concert this is certainly a rare occasion to hear him is such naked intimate setting, although a few months earlier Seifert recorded his solo violin album, which was still unreleased at the time. The sextet track reflects perfectly what Seifert was into at the time, playing and recording with European musicians, who recognized his exceptional talent, and paving his way to the international career he was destined for, which sadly never materialized when his lost his battle with cancer. The SWR vaults are a treasure chest of superb live music, which is being constantly released on records. In this case the material is especially important due to the relatively limited recorded legacy by Seifert, which means that every bit of his music is priceless, especially when recorded at such high sound quality as the music on this album. Overall this is an absolute essential piece of the Polish Jazz recorded history, which dedicated fans will nor willingly miss. But it is recommended to all European Jazz fans since it reveals the incredibly high level of creativity and versatility the genre enjoyed in the 1970s. Wholeheartedly recommended!

Updated: 29/12/2023Posted: 31/03/2021

CD 1 Digipak Remastered Recommend To A Friend