Record Reviews

EUROPEAN JAZZ ENSEMBLE ~ 30TH ANNIVERSARY TOUR 2006 KONNEX 5225 (Barcode: 4017867031876) ~ GERMANY ~ Jazz Recorded: 2006 Released: 2009 The European Jazz EnsembleFind albums by this artist is a "cooperative" group of top European Jazz musicians, which tours and records together for the last 30 years. Over time, an incredible parade of talent passed through the ranks of this group, each of the musicians being a leader and acknowledged instrumentalist / composer of the highest statue. The list of the players on this album, for example, is truly scary for anyone familiar with European Jazz: Alan SkidmoreFind albums by this artist, Stan SulzmannFind albums by this artist, Gerd DudekFind albums by this artist and Charlie MarianoFind albums by this artist (the only non-European by birth but very much so by spirit) on saxophone, Jiri StivinFind albums by this artist on flute, Manfred SchoofFind albums by this artist and Pino MinafraFind albums by this artist on trumpet, Joachim KuhnFind albums by this artist on piano, Ali HaurandFind albums by this artist on bass, and Daniel HumairFind albums by this artist and Tony LevinFind albums by this artist on drums. These brilliant musicians perform a set of no less brilliant compositions, with predictably brilliant arrangements – what can I say, the album is just one nasty piece of superb music, kicking badly from start to finish. Although basically the performances are by a big band, in truth the individual soloist are given plenty of opportunity to stretch out, backed up only by the rhythm section, which makes this album likeable even for people, who have a slight adversity to big band albums (God only knows why). Regardless of ones specific likes and dislikes might be, this is a kind of recording that any true Jazz fan can not ignore. The subtle musical trickery, known only by the European Jazzers, is so obvious here, that I´d recommend this album to every American big band fan, to learn what really can be achieved with such potent "instrument". Brilliant! (Oh yes, I already said so…).

Updated: 18/07/2020Posted:

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EUROPEAN JAZZ ENSEMBLE ~ MEETS THE KHAN FAMILY M.A MUSIC 807 ~ GERMANY ~ Jazz-World Fusion Recorded: 1992 Released: 1992 This is a live album by the European Jazz EnsembleFind albums by this artist, a collective of Jazz musicians led by German bassist Ali HaurandFind albums by this artist (who died in 2018), which included in its various configurations since 1976 the absolute crème de la crème of European Jazz representatives. The lineup on this album comprises, in addition to Haurand, of trumpeters Thomas HebererFind albums by this artist, Manfred SchoofFind albums by this artist and Rainer WinterschladenFind albums by this artist, saxophonists Ernst-Ludwig PetrowskyFind albums by this artist, Gerd DudekFind albums by this artist and Stan SulzmannFind albums by this artist, guitarist Philip CatherineFind albums by this artist, pianists Joachim KuhnFind albums by this artist and Rob van den BroeckFind albums by this artist, vocalist Uschi BruningFind albums by this artist and drummer Tony LevinFind albums by this artist (of the twelve musicians two are British, one Belgian and one Dutch, and the rest are Germans). On this album they invited three Indian musicians, members of the extended Khan family: Ustad Zamir Ahmed KhanFind albums by this artist on sitar, Irshad Hussain KhanFind albums by this artist on tabla and Ustad Munir KhanFind albums by this artist on sarangi. The album presents four tracks, two lasing over fifteen minutes and two over twenty minutes, one each composed by Danish trumpeter Allan BotschinskyFind albums by this artist (a former member of the ensemble), Sultzmann, Kuhn and Schoof. The music is a wonderful example of Jazz-World Fusion, with the entire ensemble and the guests offer a group improvisation based on pre-composed themes, but expanding the music way beyond the original melodies, as expected. The ensemble plays some parts in a Big Band manner, but most of the time the music involves group improvisations between the ensemble members and the guests, often flying far and away from the initial source. Since all the musicians on this album are superb instrumentalists, the level of the performances is nothing short of stunning. All the albums by this ensemble are excellent documents of the diversity and complexity of the European scene, and here they are able to create new cross-genre musical explorations. Overall, this is a very interesting and rather unique Jazz-World Music album, which presents a meeting between Big Band Jazz and Indian traditional music, which usually is performed in a much more intimate lineup. These musicians prove again that music has no stylistic borders, and gifted musicians are able to communicate within any musical environment without any obstacles. Wholeheartedly recommended!

Updated: 17/08/2024Posted: 16/08/2024

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SKIDMORE / OXLEY / HAURAND ~ S.O.H. LIVE IN LONDON JAZZWERKSATT 016 (Barcode: 4250079757824) ~ UK ~ Free Jazz / Improvised Music Recorded: 1983 Released: 2007 This is an archival live recording by the wonderful trio consisting of British Jazz saxophonist Alan SkidmoreFind albums by this artist, drummer Tony OxleyFind albums by this artist and German bassist Ali HaurandFind albums by this artist, known collectively as S.O.H.Find albums by this artist The trio performs four extended pieces, all being original compositions by the trio members with one tune co-composed by the Dutch pianist Jan HuydtsFind albums by this artist. The trio, which was active between 1978 and 1984, recorded just a couple of obscure albums released on small independent European labels and this live recoding, which saw the light of day only more than twenty years after it was recorded, is a substantial addition to its discography. Both Skidmore and Oxley are among my favorite British Jazz musicians and both made tremendous contributions to the development of British and than European Jazz, as did Haurand, not only as a musician but also as organizer and bandleader of such formidable international groups like the European Jazz QuintetFind albums by this artist which than developed into the European Jazz EnsembleFind albums by this artist, which exists to this very day. The music is a classic example of European post-Coltrane Free Jazz, based on intensive and highly emotional performances by the trio members. Skidmore is a brilliant improviser and his lengthy solos are unstoppable, to the delight of all Free Jazz enthusiasts. Oxley, who is without a doubt the most original Jazz drummer ever, is a monster and his solo work on this album is some of the finest recorded evidence of his genius. Haurand fills in very well and supports his cohorts with his energetic pulsations. The overall sound of the trio is a modern version of the "wall of sound" effect, initiated by John ColtraneFind albums by this artist two decades earlier, but with more emphasis on sophistication rather than on raw power. Overall this is a tremendous piece of highly charged music, which captures one of the most interesting European Jazz ensembles active in the late 1970s / early 1980s at its peak form and portrays the British / European Jazz scene at the time. An absolute must for British Jazz enthusiasts / collectors!

Updated: 11/01/2017Posted: 11/01/2017

CD 1 Slipcase Remastered Recommend To A Friend

FRANTISEK UHLIR ~ DOUBLE BASS SESSION MULTISONIC 310737 (Barcode: 741941073721) ~ CZECH REPUBLIC ~ Jazz Recorded: 2008 Released: 2009 This album presents a live recording by a one time octet led by the great veteran Czech bassist Frantisek UhlirFind albums by this artist, which includes five double bass players playing simultaneously, definitely a completely innovative concept. Apart from Uhlir, who has been the country´s modern jazz pillar for several decades, the other bassist include the veteran German bassist Ali HaurandFind albums by this artist, known for his involvement on the European Jazz scene both in the mainstream and more experimental directions, and three younger Czech bassists: Peter DvorskyFind albums by this artist, Vit SvecFind albums by this artist and Tomas BarosFind albums by this artist. Saxophonist David VrobelFind albums by this artist, guitarist Adam TvrdyFind albums by this artist and drummer Jan LinhartFind albums by this artist are the remaining octet members. The octet performs seven pieces, four of which were composed by Uhlir, one by Haurand and the remaining two are standards, including the wonderful "Rosemary´s Baby" by legendary Polish composer Krzysztof KomedaFind albums by this artist. Obviously the bass is the center of attention here, with many superb solos and ensemble performances. Uhlir manages to arrange the music in such a way that each bass performance can be heard perfectly clearly, which is quite difficult. It will take some effort from a less experienced listener to follow five basses simultaneously, in addition to the other three instruments, but the effort is definitely worth it. In addition to being a great tribute to the bass, this album also presents the next generation of Czech bass players, who follow in the footsteps of their great predecessors, like Uhlir, George MrazFind albums by this artist (originally Jiri Mraz) and Miroslav VitousFind albums by this artist. There is so much love, care and intelligent playing here, that every Jazz connoisseur, and of course double bass aficionados in particular, should be delighted with the music herein. Hats off to Uhlir for putting this project together and of course a big thank you. Warmly recommended! Side Note This album is a part of the “Jazz Na Hrade (Jazz At Prague Castle)” series, released by the Czech MultisonicFind albums on this label label, which presents live recordings performed at various locations inside the charming Prague Castle, now the residence of the President of the Czech Republic. The series was initiated in 2004 by President Vaclav KlausFind albums by this artist, who often introduces the players himself on these albums, and symbolizes the respect and love of all things Cultural by the Czech People, including Jazz of course.

Updated: 16/03/2022Posted:

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