Record Reviews

BARBARA BRUCKMULLER ~ BARBARA BRUCKMULLER BIG BAND BICOLORIOUS MUSIC 2013-01 (Barcode: 610098499268) ~ AUSTRIA ~ Big Band Jazz Recorded: 2012 Released: 2013 This is the debut album by Austrian composer / arranger / bandleader Barbara BruckmullerFind albums by this artist and her Big Band, which she conducts. The album presents nine tracks, seven of which were composed by Bruckmuller and two are standards, and all were arranged by her. The album was recorded at the splendid Viennese Jazz Club Porgy & Bess, which I visit with love every time I happen to be in town. The band members are mostly young Austrian Jazz musicians, all accomplished and well-schooled musicians. Trombonist Robert BachnerFind albums by this artist represents the older Big Band generation. The music is all excellent, as expected, especially coming from Austria, which is famous for its Big Band tradition, probably the strongest and most abundant in European Jazz. The compositions are solid and coherent, and the Big Band performs them with elegance and panache, which makes this album a pleasure to listen to from start to finish. Bruckmuller recorded more albums since this debut and continues to lead her Big Band and developing her career, and she is certainly a musician to keep an eye on, especially if one is a Big Band enthusiasts, like myself. Overall, this is splendid Jazz Big Band album, which proudly represents the Austrian Jazz Big Band tradition, which has a proud contribution to European Jazz. Definitely an album worth digging out, especially for Big Band lovers, but all European Jazz enthusiasts should find it truly satisfactory.

Updated: 20/02/2025Posted: 20/02/2025

CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend

CECILE MCLORIN SALVANT ~ FOR ONE TO LOVE MACK AVENUE 1095 (Barcode: 673203109520) ~ USA ~ Jazz Recorded: 2015 Released: 2015 This is the third album by American Jazz vocalist / songwriter Cecile McLorin SalvantFind albums by this artist, on which she is accompanied by an excellent classic Jazz piano trio comprising of pianist Aaron DiehlFind albums by this artist, bassist Paul SikivieFind albums by this artist and drummer Lawrence LeathersFind albums by this artist. On the album she sings twelve songs, five of which are her original creations and seven are standards or songs written by others. Considering the fact that American Jazz made no real contribution in the vocal department in the last fifty years or so, McLorin Salvant is definitely a breath of fresh air. Not that she offers anything that wasn´t heard before, but at least she does what she does with grace, elegance and mannerisms which can be considered fastidious enough to be interesting. She is obviously a very intelligent singer, who knows what she is singing about and her original songs are all at least as good as the standards she sings, which is a great achievement by itself. Her interpretation of the song by the great French chanteuse BarbaraFind albums by this artist (a.k.a. Monique Andree SerfFind albums by this artist), which she sings in perfect French, is one of the highlights of this album and another proof of her impeccable taste. She and the trio are at their absolute best with their interpretation of the "West Side Story" song "Something´s Coming" and personally I´d love to hear a whole album of similar explorations. Of course she is constantly "on the edge" between brilliant trickery and kitsch, somehow managing to land safely in the former rather than on the latter category. No doubt that listening to this album is like watching an ice-skater performing pirouettes and clutching hands nervously in fear he won´t be able to land safely. All things considered, this is a charming album, which delivers a powerful and wonderfully aesthetic musical message, holds many twists and turns, unpredictable vocal vistas and above all is highly intelligent. Thank God this is not yet another straightforward mainstream Jazz vocal delivery, which honestly is no longer bearable. Listeners looking for originality and obvious talent, within the classic Jazz idiom, should find this album delightful. Highly recommended!

Updated: 07/11/2016Posted: 07/11/2016

CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend

BARBARA DICKSON ~ DO RIGHT WOMAN / FROM THE BEGGAR`S MANTLE… VOCALION 8425 (Barcode: 765387842529) ~ UK ~ Folk-Rock Recorded: 1970 - 1971 Released: 2006 Superb British singer / songwriter Barbara DicksonFind albums by this artist has been part of the local Folk and Folk-Rock scene since the late 1960s, gaining respect and admiration from her colleagues and audiences alike. These two albums, recorded in the early 1970s present get vocal abilities and great sensitivity as a singer. Accompanied by a splendid team of Folk musicians, which include her long time partner in trade multi-instrumentalist Archie FisherFind albums by this artist, she soars through a selection of traditional and contemporary Folk material with grace and exceptional feel, equaled only by the best Folk performers. Fans of British Folk and early Folk-Rock will find these little known albums a delightful listening experience. Warmly recommended!

CD 1 Remastered Recommend To A Friend

LEA, BARBARA / INGHAM, KEITH ~ FINE AND DANDY CHALLENGE 70029 ~ USA ~ Jazz American singer Barbara Lea is a celebrated legend in the traditional jazz circles and her career goes back into the 1950s. On this wonderful album, accompnied only by the great lyrical pianist Keith Ingham, she pays tribute to the Women Songwriters - all the tunes were either composed or have lyrics written by women, which makes this album so special.

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BARBARA THOMPSON ~ FIRST LIGHT JAZZ IN BRITAIN 54 (Barcode: 5060774190524) ~ UK ~ Jazz Recorded: 1971 - 1972 Released: 2023 This is an album collecting three archival live recordings / radio broadcasts by the late British Jazz saxophonist / composer / bandleader Barbara ThompsonFind albums by this artist, which present her in various settings with the crème de la crème of the British Jazz musicians active in the early 1970s. As a result, it is a companion album to the tremendous 14CD Box Set “Live At The BBCFind albums with this title” by Barbara Thompson, released in 2020 by RepertoireFind albums on this label Records, offering material uncovered after the Box Set was released. This album, released by the Jazz In BritainFind albums on this label label, is a completely non-commercial release, with all profits from the album going to the Cure Parkinson’s Trust, a moving gesture by all the people involved, including Barbara’s and Jon HisemanFind albums by this artist’s daughter Ana GraceyFind albums by this artist and Jazz In Britain founder John ThurlowFind albums by this artist. We all still mourn Barbara’s and Jon’s untimely departures of course. The first two tracks present the Group EFind albums by this artist, which comprised of (in addition to Barbara) vocalist Pepi LemerFind albums by this artist, pianist Peter LemerFind albums by this artist, bassist Johnny DyaniFind albums by this artist and drummer Laurie AllanFind albums by this artist. The music is Avant-Garde Jazz, with superb vocal parts by Lemer, who sadly is often forgotten, but was one of the most interesting Jazz vocalist of the period. The next three tracks present a suite for a Big Band, called “The Awakening”, co-composed by Barbara and Jon. The band features a dreamy lineup of eleven instrumentalists and a vocalist – no other than my beloved Norma WinstoneFind albums by this artist – which reads like a Who’s Who of the modern British Jazz and is conducted by Neil ArdleyFind albums by this artist. The players are: trumpeters Ian HamerFind albums by this artist, Kenny WheelerFind albums by this artist and Henry LowtherFind albums by this artist, trombonist Derek WadsworthFind albums by this artist, saxophonists Don RendellFind albums by this artist and Barbara Thompson, cellist Charles TunnellFind albums by this artist, pianist Howard RileyFind albums by this artist, vibraphonist Bill Le SageFind albums by this artist, bassist Jeff ClyneFind albums by this artist and drummer Jon Hiseman. The music is absolutely brilliant and very typical of the Big Band recordings recorded at the time by Neil Ardley, Mike WestbrookFind albums by this artist and others. The vocal parts by Winstone are, not surprisingly, my favorite jewels, but the entire suite is simply divine and the fact it was discovered and now released is no less than sensational. The last five tracks are by Barbara’s group JubiabaFind albums by this artist, which comprised of (in addition to Barbara) trumpeters George ChisholmFind albums by this artist and Ian CarrFind albums by this artist, Wadsworth, Le Sage, Peter Lemer, bassist Roy BabbingtonFind albums by this artist, drummer Martin DrewFind albums by this artist and percussionist Trevor TomkinsFind albums by this artist. It presents the early version of the band, which was essentially dedicated to combining Jazz with World Music influences, mostly Latin. As far as I am aware, this is the earliest recordings by Jubiaba captured on tape. Overall, this is an absolute jewel from start to finish and an absolute must to all British Jazz enthusiasts, and in retrospect one of the most surprising and important releases by the Jazz In Britain label so far. The Big Band piece alone is a beacon symbolizing the birth of the modern British Jazz, with everything it stands for: ingenuity, originality, groundbreaking musical thinking and enormous talent. Hats off to everybody involved!

Updated: 26/07/2023Posted: 26/07/2023

CD 1 Mini-Sleeve Recommend To A Friend

BARBARA THOMPSON ~ LIVE AT THE BBC REPERTOIRE 1376 (Barcode: 4009910137628) ~ UK ~ Jazz Recorded: 1969 - 1990 Released: 2020 This is a monumental 14CD Box Set by British saxophonist / flautist / composer / bandleader Barbara ThompsonFind albums by this artist, the mightiest female heroine of the British Jazz scene in the last six decades. The Box Set collects 27 radio broadcasts recorded between February 1969 and June 1990, an incredible document not only of Thompson’s incredible career, but basically of the entire two decades of the most intense British Jazz history. Painstakingly collected, organized and remastered / restored, the music is an orgy of some of the most intense music played on the British Isles at the time. The music is performed by the absolute Who’s Who of the British Jazz scene at the time, starting with Barbara’s husband Jon HisemanFind albums by this artist, who stood by her side since they married in 1967 for many years until his tragically premature death in 2018. But reading the credits of the participating musicians is like reading an encyclopedia of British Jazz. Thomson appears here as a member of the New Jazz OrchestraFind albums by this artist (NJOFind albums by this artist) and groups led by other musicians, but principally as leader of her own ensembles, including JubiabaFind albums by this artist and ParaphernaliaFind albums by this artist. Many compositions appearing here were her own and many of them are previously unreleased. Of course it is rather futile to describe such vast amount of music, all of which is obviously brilliant, so rather than doing so I can only recommend to every British Jazz fan to get a copy of this Box Set as long as it is available. It includes hours upon hours of superb musicianship and infinite creativity, that must not be forgotten. This is also a splendid opportunity to thank the BBC for supporting British Jazz (and British music in general) for so many years, recording the music and broadcasting it consistently and on the way collecting a bottomless vault of musical treasures, which see the light of day often only decades later. A huge portion of British Jazz recordings exist solely due to all this activity. Overall, this is an absolute treasure chest of music, which deserves to be heard by future generations. It is also a beautiful example of dedication and painstaking work by many people, who contributed to create this release, and of course all deserve our thanks for making it happen.

Updated: 19/12/2021Posted: 18/12/2021

CD 14 Mini-Sleeve Box Set Remastered Recommend To A Friend

BARBARA THOMPSON ~ SONGS FROM THE CENTER OF THE EARTH BLACK SUN 15014 (Barcode: 013711501421) ~ UK ~ Jazz-World Fusion Recorded: 1990 Released: 1991 This is a solo saxophone album by the iconic British Jazz saxophonist / composer / bandleader Barbara ThompsonFind albums by this artist, recorded acoustically using a single stereo microphone at the Abbaye du Thoronet in France, with Thompson playing soprano, alto and tenor saxophones. The album presents fourteen tracks, all of which are traditional tunes originating between Medieval and more contemporary times and different locations in Europe and elsewhere. The music is created as much by the saxophone sounds, as by the magnificent echo and sonic ambience of the ancient chambers of the abbey. Thompson’s improvisations combine the diverse musical traditions and sources into a coherent continuity, which floats gently in the space between the walls of the abbey, often sounding like a continued prayer or lamentation, which invokes reflections rarely associated with music. This highly spiritual and contemplative music is one of the most unique British Jazz recordings and the fact that this album is almost completely unfamiliar to most British Jazz fans is a great pity and deserves to be rectified. Overall, this is a beautiful and truly moving album, which deserves to be widely heard, especially today when Barbara Thompson’s music is being revitalized by numerous posthumous releases and reissues, especially since it is probably her most timeless and ageless creation. Not easy to find but certainly worth every effort!

Updated: 25/06/2024Posted: 25/06/2024

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BARBARA THOMPSON / APOLLO SAXOPHONE QUARTET ~ THREE QUARTETS CELESTIAL HARMONIES 13263 (Barcode: 013711326321) ~ UK ~ Jazz-Classical Fusion Recorded: 2003 Released: 2006 This is an album featuring music composed by British Jazz saxophonist / flautist / composer Barbara ThompsonFind albums by this artist, performed by the Apollo Saxophone QuartetFind albums by this artist, which comprises of Rob BucklandFind albums by this artist (alto), Andy ScottFind albums by this artist (tenor), Dave RoachFind albums by this artist (baritone) and Tim RedpathFind albums by this artist (soprano). The material presents three saxophone quartets, in five, six and four movements, a total of nineteen tracks. The music was recorded by Barbara’s husband Jon HisemanFind albums by this artist at St. Margaret’s Church, Chipstead, Surrey and the album, also produced by Hiseman, offers spectacular sound quality. Thompson, primarily known as one of the most prominent British Jazz musicians and leader of ensembles, had also less familiar sides to her extensive musical persona, like her interest in Classical Music, which is brilliantly exposed on this album. Following her diagnosis of Parkinson’s Disease in 1997, which she incredibly bravely fought until her death in 2022, with the understanding that her career of playing live music will suffer, she decided to devote more time into composing, which, among other things, resulted in composing these three saxophone quartets in the early 2000s. The structure of these quartets follows to some degree the concept of a classic string quartet, with four instruments, each playing a distinct part, performing in perfect harmony. Of course in the case of the saxophones, the range between the soprano and the baritone offers a much wider scale and infinite possibilities, which Thompson facilitates herein with pure genius. Although the music is strictly written, following the Classical formulas, and there is no improvisation per se, the music manages to swing and swirl in a Jazzy manner, so characteristic to Thompson’s inner self. So despite the music being Classical by form, it is Jazzy by emotion and soul, somewhat in a similar fashion like “Rhapsody In Blue”, by George GershwinFind albums by this artist, which is one of the most brilliant examples of Classical Music, which swings madly. The music is of course absolutely wonderful, from start to finish, superbly performed by the members of the quartet, and offers an emotional depth and aesthetic perfection, which creates a feeling of elation and bliss on an exceptional scale. Overall, this is a sublime piece of music and perhaps another way to remember Barbara Thompson for all she has done for music lovers during her life and eternity, leaving such a brilliant legacy. This album is a breathtaking musical experience!

Updated: 04/10/2024Posted: 04/10/2024

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BARBARA THOMPSON`S PARAPHERNALIA ~ LIVE IN CONCERT (80TH BIRTHDAY EDITION) REPERTOIRE 1473 (Barcode: 4009910147320) ~ UK ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion Recorded: 1980 Released: 2024 This is a reissue / remaster of a live album by British Jazz saxophonist / flautist / bandleader Barbara ThompsonFind albums by this artist and her band ParaphernaliaFind albums by this artist, which included keyboardist Colin DudmanFind albums by this artist, bassist Dill KatzFind albums by this artist and drummer (and Barbara’s husband) Jon HisemanFind albums by this artist. The album presents eight tracks, six of which are original compositions by Thompson, one is by Dudman and one is by British keyboardist / composer Peter LemerFind albums by this artist. The album was originally released as a double LP and this is the first time it is released on CD. To commemorate Barbara’s 80th Birthday, this edition was expanded to include a bonus CD, called “The Flute Collection”, which presents a collection of ten tracks, which feature Barbara’s flute performances, recorded with various ensembles in the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s. The album was beautifully and lovingly put together, including the extensive booklet, by Ana GraceyFind albums by this artist, Barbara’s and Jon’s daughter, and includes numerous photographs, press clippings and other memorabilia, to commemorate Barbara’s passing in 2022, which was deeply mourned by her family and friends. Paraphernalia was Barbara’s vehicle to present her wide range of compositions, which amalgamated many diverse influences, from Classical Music, World Music and of course Jazz in all its splendor of sub-genres. She was a remarkable instrumentalist, with a superb feel and outstanding improvisational abilities. She was an integral part of the British Jazz scene since the 1960s and her numerous recordings as a leader and sidewoman are a beacon of excellency and talent. She is also a great heroine as far as her personal fight with the Parkinson’s disease, which sadly overshadowed her life during the last period of her life. Overall, this is a great opportunity to re-visit this live album, which reflects the spirit of one of the best British bands active at the time, and enjoy the superb performances by Barbara, Colin, Dill and John, which of course I had the immense pleasure to listen to in person many a time. I am sure many Paraphernalia fans will enjoy listening to this album again and now with the bonus album as a cherry on top, this is truly irresistible. Thanks to Ana and everybody else involved in this project for making this music available again!

Updated: 29/07/2024Posted: 29/07/2024

CD 2 Slipcase Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend