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  | PIOTR BARON ~ KADDISH
NOT ON LABEL 5907809494038 (Barcode: 5907809494038) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz
Recorded: 2009 Released: 2011
Kaddish, the ancient Jewish prayer usually associated with Jewish funeral and mourning services can be considered as a representation of the essence of the Jewish religion and is also often associated with the faith of the Jewish People. The fact that the great Polish saxophonist / composer Piotr BaronFind albums by this artist used this idiom as the title of his new album, as well as the title of the central composition, which opens the album, is by no means accidental. Baron, a devoted Christian, dedicated many of his previous releases to religious themes, expressing the idea that any Artist´s religious views are an integral part of his personality, which is also reflected in his Art, or in his case his music. In Poland, Jews and Christians lived together for centuries, sharing the same soil and culture. It was Poland´s bitter destiny to become the central setting of the Jewish Holocaust, which almost completely eliminated the Jewish presence in Poland, separating the two Nations by a chasm, which is still bleeding after seven decades. Baron, paying respect to Jewish faith and tradition, represents a present-day trend among the Poles to build a new bridge between Christians and Jews, re-establishing the severed relationships, a trend strongly present and growing.
How much all this background information is related and relevant to the music itself is a decision every listener will have to make, while listening to it. The album consists of seven pieces, of which two are composed by Baron, three are improvised duets by him and his respective partners and the remaining two originate from other sources. Three of the pieces are dedicated to specific persons (one close friend – Polish journalist Jan Mazur, Baron´s friend, one religious personality – Pope John Paul II, and one musician – the great mulireedist Bennie MaupinFind albums by this artist). The personnel includes Baron´s son Adam Milwiw-BaronFind albums by this artist on trumpet and didgeridoo and three Polish Jazz veterans: pianist Michal TokajFind albums by this artist, bassist Michal BaranskiFind albums by this artist and drummer Lukasz ZytaFind albums by this artist.
The music is absolutely entrancing, deeply atmospheric and moving, constantly changing and elegantly amalgamating strong melodic content with advanced improvisational excursions. Baron´s playing is virtuosic at all times, often reminiscent of John ColtraneFind albums by this artist´s mid-period, which is about the highest compliment I can bestow upon any sax player. The other musicians are all masters of their trade, with Baron Jr. continuing the family name and trade with honors. It´s obvious that Baron is making a statement here: spiritual, artistic, musical and philosophical, all combined. This is a very personal album, which definitely stands its ground on purely musical merits, but proposes a lot of added values, when put in its proper background. An album one can surely return to many a time, re-discovering its beauty repeatedly. I raise my hat, Maestro!
| | | CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend |
  | MILES DAVIS ~ THE COMPLETE JACK JOHNSON SESSIONS
COLUMBIA 86359 ~ USA ~ Jazz
Recorded: 1970
This is the 7th chapter in the ColumbiaFind albums on this label’s epic series of Miles DavisFind albums by this artist Box Sets, which is a monumental reissue project of recordings by the most important Jazz musician of the 20th century. Recorded between February and June 1970 this monumental document defines “Electric Jazz” – anything recorded since, be it Jazz, Rock or Fusion, has its roots here. These almost five hours of music remained mostly unreleased till this set was issued, as the original A Tribute To Jack JohnsonFind albums with this title album contained less than 10 % of the music included herein. Although a few other “cooked” albums included snippets of this music (Live-EvilFind albums with this title, Get Up With ItFind albums with this title, DirectionsFind albums with this title and Big FunFind albums with this title) they were never available in their full form. By the time this material was recorded Miles’ approach to creating music changed dramatically: he was more of a captain giving the crew a general direction as to where he wanted to go, ratter that a navigator concerned with the exact details as to the course taken. An enormous amount of freedom was granted to the stellar collection of participants (Keith JarrettFind albums by this artist, Herbie HancockFind albums by this artist, Chick CoreaFind albums by this artist – keyboards, Steve GrossmanFind albums by this artist, Bennie MaupinFind albums by this artist, Wayne ShorterFind albums by this artist – saxes, Dave HollandFind albums by this artist, Ron CarterFind albums by this artist, Michael HendersonFind albums by this artist – bass, John McLaughlinFind albums by this artist, Sonny SharrockFind albums by this artist – guitar, Jack DeJohnetteFind albums by this artist, Gene PerlaFind albums by this artist – drums, Airto MoreiraFind albums by this artist, Hermeto PascoalFind albums by this artist – percussion) and for the first time Miles promoted John McLaughlin to be the primary soloist, much more dominant than his trumpet. McLaughlin of course was up to the job and presents some incredible guitar playing, firmly establishing the electric guitar as the leading instrument in instrumental music for the years to come. His fearless ventures into the uncharted territory of Fusion and even Rock would become a beacon for generations of guitar players, a source of inspiration and a vital learning tool. The unrestrained, almost jam-like atmosphere of the sessions inspired all the participants to search for the best they could achieve and the resulting music is simply phenomenal. This is visionary and groundbreaking, Promethean and pioneering musical creation, an absolute must to any Jazz fan that takes his music seriously..
A special note to collectors:
The initial release of all the Miles Davis Box Sets in this reissue series is packaged in an exquisite metal-bound (except chapter 5 which is cardboard-bound) frame housed in a hard cardboard CD-sized slipcase (except for chapters 1 & 8 which have a metal slipcase). Once the initial release is sold out, the CDs are repackaged in a tall-box digipack book format. Naturally the tall-box issues have a much lower retail price tag. All the initial release CD-sized issues become priceless collectors’ items in time.
| | Updated: 26/01/2019Posted: | CD 5 Box Set Oversampling Remastered Bonus Tracks Essential Recommend To A Friend |
  | MILES DAVIS ~ THE COMPLETE ON THE CORNER SESSIONS
COLUMBIA 06239 (Barcode: 886970623926) ~ USA ~ Jazz
Recorded: 1972 - 1975 Released: 2007
This is the 8th (and apparently the last) chapter in the ColumbiaFind albums on this label’s epic series of Miles DavisFind albums by this artist Box Sets, which is a monumental reissue project of recordings by the most important Jazz musician of the 20th century. Recorded between March 1972 and May 1975 this the music includes everything Miles recorded for Columbia before his 5 years of retirement from recording due to health problems, before resuming his career in 1980. The inventory is pretty amazing: 4 years, 16 sessions, 21 musicians and over 6 hours of groundbreaking music, which although rarely given credit for it, changed to face of music for years to come. Incorporating Funk, Fusion, World Music, Rock, Soul and of course Jazz, this music re-defined the basic conceptions of the musical universe. Anything recorded later on this planed could be traced back to some extent to these sounds, be it Hip-Hop, Rock, Electronic and Ambient Music, House, and Dance, including of course contemporary Jazz and Fusion. The music is completely groove oriented, with very little (and often without) melody, with a loose and completely atmospheric jamming over a repetitive and hypnotic rhythms, created masterly by bassist Michael HendersonFind albums by this artist, continuing the direction initiated on The Cellar Door Sessions 1970Find albums with this title. Miles on trumpet, Dave LiebmanFind albums by this artist, Carlos GarnettFind albums by this artist and Bennie MaupinFind albums by this artist on saxes, Chick CoreaFind albums by this artist and Herbie HancockFind albums by this artist on keyboards, John McLaughlinFind albums by this artist, Reggie LucasFind albums by this artist and Pete CoseyFind albums by this artist on guitars, Jack DeJohnetteFind albums by this artist and Al FosterFind albums by this artist on drums and quite a few other players contribute to this heavenly music, under the Master’s spiritual leadership. The music included here appeared in various edited forms on the albums: On The CornerFind albums with this title, Big FunFind albums with this title and Get Up With ItFind albums with this title, but most is heard here for the first time. It is almost impossible to describe how far out and pioneering this music is. It presents not only a completely new sound and approach to performing music, but also a new way to create music as a flow of the subconscious creative process. Over 30 years after it was recorded, it still sounds revolutionary and poignant, as it undoubtedly will continue to sound in the days to come. I can’t imagine anybody who calls himself a music lover not to own this music and listen to it periodically to recharge his or her emotional batteries. Beyond essential!
A special note to collectors:
The initial release of all the Miles Davis Box Sets in this reissue series is packaged in an exquisite metal-bound (except chapter 5 which is cardboard-bound) frame housed in a hard cardboard CD-sized slipcase (except for chapters 1 & 8 which have a metal slipcase). Once the initial release is sold out, the CDs are repackaged in a tall-box digipack book format. Naturally the tall-box issues have a much lower retail price tag. All the initial release CD-sized issues become priceless collectors’ items in time.
| | Updated: 26/01/2019Posted: | CD 6 Box Set Oversampling Remastered Bonus Tracks Essential Recommend To A Friend |
  | BOB GLUCK ~ INFINITE SPIRIT: REVISITING MUSIC OF THE MWANDISHI BAND
FMR 398 (Barcode: 649849982254) ~ USA ~ Jazz
Recorded: 2015 Released: 2016
This is a fascinating album by American pianist / composer / electronic music performer and composer / educator / writer and a former Rabbi Bob GluckFind albums by this artist, recorded in a quartet setting with trumpeter Eddie HendersonFind albums by this artist, bassist Christopher Dean SullivanFind albums by this artist and drummer Billy HartFind albums by this artist, which as the title suggests, revisits the music performed and recorded by the Herbie HancockFind albums by this artist sextet, often called the Mwandishi Band after the title of their seminal album "MwandishiFind albums with this title", the first of three albums the ensemble recorded, which includes also "CrossingsFind albums with this title" and "SextantFind albums with this title". Hancock formed this band in the early 1970s after he left the Miles DavisFind albums by this artist group, where he played for many years.
Gluck wrote and published the book entitled "You´ll Know When You Get There: Herbie Hancock And The Mwandishi Band", where he analyzes the music and it´s hardly surprising he also created a musical facet of his fascination with this subject. By drafting two of the original members of the sextet: Henderson and Hart to take part in this project, Gluck is able to get as close to the source of this music as possible, without engaging Hancock himself of course. The album presents just five lengthy pieces, two of which were composed by Hancock, two others by Bennie MaupinFind albums by this artist (one features an introduction composed by Gluck) and just one is an original composition by Sullivan, which means that most of the music originates from the Mwandishi output.
The overall modus operandi, i.e. openness, lengthy improvisations, minimalism and introspection, and above all an atmospheric approach to music creation, which of course is a much more European way of doing things, and finally the use of electronics (which on the original recordings was created by Patrick Gleason) lead to what Gluck obviously intended: a revisit of the Mwandishi music, but also a tribute to one of the most fascinating chapters of the American Jazz idiom, and sadly perhaps one of the last contributions to the genre originating on US soil.
The music is of course everything one might hope for. Brilliantly performed by all four participants, it flows elegantly and yet also passionately from start to finish, leaving the listener wishing for more when the music is over. Despite their age Henderson and Hart are still very much the Masters they always were, Sullivan provides the anchor for the music with his steady pulsations, and his original composition fits the Mwandishi music ideally. Gluck´s piano and electronics create the frame which defines the melodic and harmonic structures and he wisely eschews imitating Hancock in any way, making his own statements.
Overall this is an album which besides presenting some fascinating music has also an educational message and pays tribute to the glorious history of the Jazz idiom. Highly recommended!
| | Updated: 29/04/2016Posted: 29/04/2016 | CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend |
  | BENNIE MAUPIN ~ THE JEWEL IN THE LOTUS
ECM 1043 (Barcode: 602517232501) ~ USA ~ Jazz
Recorded: 1974 Released: 2007
This great and unfortunately little known album by US reedman Bennie MaupinFind albums by this artist is a superb example of the artistic freedom extended to musicians by the legendary ECMFind albums by this artist label. Maupin is of course known from his input to the revolutionary music recorded by Miles DavisFind albums by this artist and later by the Herbie HancockFind albums by this artist sextet and in fact this album was recorded shortly after the recording of the three so called "MwandishiFind albums with this title" albums and later the immensely successful "Head HuntersFind albums with this title". The core members of Hancock´s sextet are here: Hancock himself on piano and electric piano, Buster WilliamsFind albums by this artist and bass, Billy HartFind albums by this artist on drums, augmented by trumpeter Charles SullivanFind albums by this artist and percussionists Frederic WaitsFind albums by this artist and Bill SummersFind albums by this artist. The music, all composed by Maupin, is deeply meditative and low key, but full of beauty and reflection. There is ample space for improvisation and interplay, all of which is done with great care and restraint, but the overall result aesthetically perfect. Perhaps not an "easy" album to listen to, especially for the first time, but music without challenge is not really worth pursuing, is it?
| | | CD 1 Oversampling Remastered Recommend To A Friend |
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