Record Reviews
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  | BURTON / METHENY / SWALLOW / SANCHEZ ~ QUARTET LIVE
CONCORD 888072313033 (Barcode: 888072313033) ~ USA ~ Jazz
Recorded: 2007 Released: 2009
In the 1960s the celebrated American vibraphonist / composer Gary BurtonFind albums by this artist led a quartet, which also included guitarist Larry CoryellFind albums by this artist, bassist Steve SwallowFind albums by this artist and drummer Roy HaynesFind albums by this artist (and later Bob MosesFind albums by this artist). That quartet recorded a series of brilliant albums, which in retrospect clearly show how pioneering and revolutionary that music was at the time, giving birth to Jazz-Rock Fusion years ahead of anybody else in the US. The young and up-coming guitarist Pat MethenyFind albums by this artist joined that same quartet just a few years later (mid-1970s), adding his unique input to the quartet´s sublime legacy.
This live recording at the legendary Yoshi´s Jazz club in Oakland captures a reunion of the original (1970s) quartet with the exception of the Mexican drummer Antonio SanchezFind albums by this artist, who is of course a member of the much younger generation of Jazz players, but his remarkable qualities suited the occasion perfectly. They perform a series of mostly original compositions by the three veteran group members, which have all been performed at the time by the original quartet. A few compositions originating from outside the quartet, but performed at the time, as also included, those being by Chick CoreaFind albums by this artist, Carla BleyFind albums by this artist, Keith JarrettFind albums by this artist and Duke EllingtonFind albums by this artist.
This quartet treats these compositions quite differently in comparison to the original performances, bringing the arrangements up to date both sonically and stylistically, which awards them a second life. The overall level of performance is of course stellar, which is not surprising considering the aggregation of talent present. It is really great to hear Metheny play Jazz again, which he scarcely does with his own group. Both Burton and Swallow seem to be completely untouched by time and sound in top form. It is truly uplifting to see Jazz veterans being able to create music, which is fresh and valid today, as it was decades ago. Great stuff!
| | | CD 1 Recommend To A Friend |
  | GARY BURTON ~ DREAMS SO REAL – MUSIC OF CARLA BLEY
ECM 1072 (Barcode: 602517758308) ~ USA ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion
Recorded: 1975 Released: 2008
US vibraphonist / composer Gary BurtonFind albums by this artist is one of the pillars of American modern Jazz and his extraordinary legacy of recorded music includes a monumental body of work, spanning decades, styles and an incredible variety of sounds. On this very unique album, Burton and his quintet - which consists of two guitarists: British Mick GoodrickFind albums by this artist (one of the greatest and sadly little known guitar virtuosi) and US Pat MethenyFind albums by this artist, bassist Steve SwallowFind albums by this artist and drummer Bob MosesFind albums by this artist - play tribute to the great US composer Carla BleyFind albums by this artist. Bley´s compositions have been always a superb example of ingenuity and intelligence as much as deep lyricism and melodic perception. Stylistically in a universe of her own, Bley deserves a very special place on the pedestal of great 20th Century composers and this loving tribute is a proper example of the recognition of her talents. The presence of two electric guitarists on this album gives it a certain slightly Fusion touch, but definitely of the gentle sort, which suits the music perfectly. Brilliant stuff!
| | | CD 1 Mini-Sleeve Recommend To A Friend |
  | GARY BURTON ~ LOFTY FAKE ANAGRAM / A GENUINE TONG FUNERAL
BGO 723 (Barcode: 5017261207234) ~ USA ~ Jazz
Recorded: 1967 Released: 2006
Vibraphonist / composer Gary BurtonFind albums by this artist is one of greatest American Jazz musicians, with a long and outstanding career and a massive body of work. He is also one of relatively few American Jazz artists, who can be considered as true originals, embracing the Jazz tradition but at the same time constantly expanding the horizons of the music and exploring the terra incognita of the genre. This album takes us back to the early days of Burton’s musical path, when he was leading probably the most forward-thinking Jazz quartet of the day. Together with guitarist extraordinaire Larry CoryellFind albums by this artist, bassist Steve SwallowFind albums by this artist and drummer Bob MosesFind albums by this artist, the quartet ventured into some of the earliest examples of Jazz-Rock Fusion, years ahead of their contemporaries. The two original LPs, although both recorded in 1967, are quite different from each other. On Lofty Fake AnagramFind albums with this title the quartet explores mostly a series of original tunes by Burton and Swallow, with finesse and elegance, but also with fire and passion. On A Genuine Tong FuneralFind albums with this title Burton combines forces with another great and unorthodox American Jazz representative, pianist / composer Carla BleyFind albums by this artist. The music is her first full-scale Jazz composition for a band, which she calls a “Dark Opera Without Words”. The “without word” part was to bee soon remedied on her next spectacular project, the first true modern Jazz opera Escalator Over The HillFind albums with this title, which included a libretto by Paul HainesFind albums by this artist. For the recording of this music the quartet was expanded to a small orchestra with Carla Bley on piano, Steve LacyFind albums by this artist and the brilliant Argentinean player Gato BarbieriFind albums by this artist on saxophone, Michael MantlerFind albums by this artist (Carla’s close partner) on trumpet, Jimmy KnepperFind albums by this artist on trombone and Howard JohnsonFind albums by this artist on tuba. The music is of course completely unique and unprecedented, with Bley’s masterly usage of orchestration to create moods and sonic vistas, all of it years ahead of its time. Together these two recordings provide a glimpse at the period when American Jazz was still bubbling with creativity and excitement. Brilliant and essential stuff!
| | | CD 2 Slipcase Remastered Essential Recommend To A Friend |
  | GARY BURTON ~ NEW VIBE MAN IN TOWN / WHO IS GARY BURTON? / IN CONCERT
BGO 1519 (Barcode: 5017261215192) ~ USA ~ Jazz
Recorded: 1961 - 1968 Released: 2024
This is a reissue / remaster of three early albums by American vibraphonist / composer / bandleader Gary BurtonFind albums by this artist, released originally on the RCAFind albums on this label label. Burton started his musical career at a very early age and was considered a prodigy. Choosing the vibraphone as his “weapon of choice”, and his decision to play Jazz rather than classical music made him a sensation and he recorded the first of the albums included here at the age of eighteen, quite an unprecedented event at the time. CD1 presets his first two albums, eight and seven tracks, recorded in 1961 and 1962 respectively. CD2 presents the 10th album, with eight tracks recorded in 1968, which is the only live recording by Burton and the one before last album released on RCA.
“New Vibe Man In TownFind albums with this title” was recorded in a trio setting with bassist Gene ChericoFind albums by this artist and drummer Joe MorelloFind albums by this artist. All the tracks are standards. “Who is Gary Burton?Find albums with this title” was recorded in a septet setting with trumpeter Clark TerryFind albums by this artist, trombonist Bob BrookmeyerFind albums by this artist, saxophonist Phil WoodsFind albums by this artist, pianist Tommy FlanaganFind albums by this artist, bassist John NevesFind albums by this artist and drummers Morello or Chris SwansenFind albums by this artist. Four of the tracks are standards, two are by Swansen, who was Burton’s classmate at Berklee Collage of Music and finally one is by British trombonist / composer Michael GibbsFind albums by this artist, who was his Berklee teacher and later a lifelong friend and musical collaborator.
“In ConcertFind albums with this title” was recorded with the revolutionary quartet, which included guitarist Larry CoryellFind albums by this artist, bassist Steve SwallowFind albums by this artist and drummer Bob MosesFind albums by this artist, and sounded like something from another planet, being one of the earliest Jazz-Rock Fusion ensembles, which changed the face of music. Except for one cover of a song by Bob DylanFind albums by this artist, all the tracks are originals, three composed by Burton, two by Coryell, one co-composed by the two and finally again one track by Gibbs.
Overall, this is a brilliant reminder of the early musical path by one of the most important American Jazz figures, which is perhaps also the most “non-American” Jazz figures, closer to the European sound and aesthetics than to his roots, which are still plainly present on his first two albums. This reissue joins the other three reissue projects of Gary Burton recordings on RCA, released by the great British BGOFind albums on this label label, which now cover ten of the eleven RCA recordings.
| | Updated: 29/07/2024Posted: 29/07/2024 | CD 2 Slipcase Remastered Recommend To A Friend |
  | MICHEL GIBBS ORCHESTRA ~ BY THE WAY
AH UM 016 (Barcode: 5017771102029) ~ UK ~ Jazz
Recorded: 1993 Released: 1993
This is an album by British Jazz trombonist / composer / arranger / bandleader Michael GibbsFind albums by this artist and his Anglo-American Orchestra commemorating the orchestra´s 25th Anniversary. The members of the orchestra include many of the top British Jazz players, like trumpeter Kenny WheelerFind albums by this artist, saxophonist Evan ParkerFind albums by this artist, pianist John TaylorFind albums by this artist, drummer John MarshallFind albums by this artist and the young (at the time) saxophonist Julian ArguellesFind albums by this artist and guitarists Mike WalkerFind albums by this artist and John ParricelliFind albums by this artist. The Americans include saxophonist Charlie MarianoFind albums by this artist, bassist Steve SwallowFind albums by this artist and drummer Bob MosesFind albums by this artist. The album presents eleven original compositions, all by Gibbs, which span the entire 25 years period, some of which already appeared on earlier recordings and other that are performed here for the first time.
Gibbs´ followers will find this album consistent with his earlier recordings and with his unique orchestral approach and sound colors. Gibbs treats the orchestra like a palette and paints bright sound vistas with zest and vivid imagination. As usual the pieces allow for extensive soloing, which on this album reaches many remarkable peaks. Gibbs´ affinity to Rock is also evident, as is his tendency to feature the guitar as one of the main ingredients of the orchestra with plenty of soloing, which on this album is performed by Walker, who has a profound Bluesy feel and sensitivity.
Overall this is another superb album by a great Master of the orchestral Jazz idiom, who had very few parallels over the years and still dominates the scene today. This music lost nothing of its power or beauty over time and is a great document of the period, similar to the recently released album with the Gibbs Orchestra featuring John ScofieldFind albums by this artist from 1991 ("Symphony Hall, Birmingham 1991Find albums with this title").
This is one of the most obscure albums by Michael Gibbs, probably due to the fact that it was released by the short lived small independent British Ah UmFind albums on this label label, founded by musician / producer Nick PurnellFind albums by this artist, and has been available for many years. Wholeheartedly recommended and if you can dig it out somehow, don´t even think twice – grab it as it is worth its weight in gold!
Side Note
British composer / arranger Nick PurnellFind albums by this artist founded the short-lived Ah UmFind albums on this label label in 1989, which existed until 1993 and released a total of sixteen albums with some of the top British Jazz musicians of that period and a few American guests, which remain as of the finest recordings of that period. For some inexplicable reason all these albums are almost completely obsolete today, despite their excellent musical value, which is a shame, as they all deserve an honorable place in any decent British Jazz collection.
| | Updated: 11/02/2025Posted: 29/05/2018 | CD 1 Recommend To A Friend |
  | SALAMON / HADZIMANOV / MOSES ~ DANCES OF FREEDOM
SAMO ~ SLOVENIA ~ Free Jazz / Improvised Music
Recorded: 2021 Released: 2024
This is an album by Slovenian guitarist Samo SalamonFind albums by this artist, Serbian keyboardist Vasil HadzimanovFind albums by this artist and American drummer Bob MosesFind albums by this artist. The album presents nine tracks, all of which are co-composed by the trio members.
The music is a wonderful amalgam of many elements, and although it is mostly improvised, it offers various melodic snippets, references to Balkan Folkloristic themes, Ambient layers and electronically generated effects. There is a confident, clearly defined flow and coherent progress, which makes this music accessible to open-minded listeners, who are patient enough to experience the music slowly, and follow it where the musicians take it.
Although this is a trio recording, the music often sounds much fuller, with the instruments often disguised into instruments, which are not used in reality. The brilliant drumming by Moses keeps everything perfectly organized and the consequent tunes offer a diversity, which is rarely present in Improvised Music.
Salamon is an extremely prolific musician, who recorded almost fifty albums since the turn of the Millennium, mostly released on his own SamoFind albums on this label Records label, with involve dozens of European Jazz musicians, and he definitely deserves to be followed.
Overall, this is another document of Salamon’s feverish activity, which, as always deserves the attention of open-minded and aesthetically minded listeners. He manages to re-invent himself time and again and keeps an excellent company doing so! Highly recommended!
| | Updated: 16/02/2024Posted: 16/02/2024 | CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend |
  | SAMO SALAMON / ARILD ANDERSEN / BOB MOSES ~ PURE AND SIMPLE
SAMO ~ SLOVENIA ~ Jazz
Recorded: 2021 Released: 2022
This is an album by Slovenian Jazz guitarist Samo SalamonFind albums by this artist, recorded in a trio setting with two Jazz icons: Norwegian bassist Arild AndersenFind albums by this artist and American drummer Bob MosesFind albums by this artist. The album presents nine tracks, five of which are original compositions co-composed by the trio members, one is co-composed by Salamon and Moses, one each are by Anderson and Moses and finally one is the trio’s interpretation of a standard by Albert AylerFind albums by this artist.
The music is absolutely delightful, based on sketchy melody lines and improvised extensively, keeping the volume low and the creativity high at all times. Salamon is an amazing guitar player, with an extensive recorded legacy to his credit, and a respectful position on the scene, despite his relatively young age. His guitar creates ambient layers of sound, which are completely unique, which is truly astounding considering the fact that the guitar is after all the most popular instrument out there.
Andersen, my favorite bass player of all time, provides the melodic layer with his virtuosic plucking and amazing sound. I have known him for almost as long as I have listened to music, and never heard him play anything less than heart wrenchingly beautiful. He is probably the most melodic bass player among his peers, and this album clearly shows why. Moses goes back to the sources of modern Jazz and his equally unique approach to drumming and sense of rhythm is obviously legendary. On this album his playing is kept somewhat at a distance, but at the same time present at all times, adding a heartbeat pulse and keeping the music on a chronometric track.
Overall, this is a brilliant and highly unusual album, full of superb playing and Jazz aesthetics of the highest caliber. If Salamon is a new name for you, it’s high time to catch up, as he is definitely a musician to put on one’s watch list. If you are a guitar player, well listening to this album might make you think twice about your future. If you love great Jazz, this album is an absolute must!
| | Updated: 21/07/2022Posted: 21/07/2022 | CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend |
  | STEVE SWALLOW ~ HOME
ECM 1160 (Barcode: 602567434870) ~ USA ~ Jazz & Poetry
Recorded: 1979 Released: 2019
This is a reissue of the debut album as a leader by American bassist / composer / bandleader Steve SwallowFind albums by this artist and his second release on the ECMFind albums on this label label, following the duo album with Gary BurtonFind albums by this artist entitled “Hotel HelloFind albums with this title”, released five years earlier. The album was recorded in a sextet setting with vocalist Sheila JordanFind albums by this artist, pianist Steve KuhnFind albums by this artist, saxophonist Dave LiebmanFind albums by this artist, synthesizer player Lyle MaysFind albums by this artist and drummer Bob MosesFind albums by this artist, and it presents ten tracks, all composed by Swallow, with lyrics by the American poet Robert CreeleyFind albums by this artist.
The music is strongly melodic and often outright romantic, perfectly suiting the “Jazz & Poetry” idiom and the idiosyncratic poetry by Creeley, who was a magician of the poetic expression and could tell a story in just a very few words. Jordan, my favorite American Jazz vocalist, is absolutely perfect for the role of the storyteller, and albeit the fact that the lyrics are often minimalist, she sets the mood for the entire album.
The music is quite mainstream oriented, with most of the melodic content carried by Kuhn, who is brilliant as always. Surprisingly, Liebman plays some of the most well-behaved saxophone solos of his career on this album, without pushing the boundaries. Mays stays mostly in the background, as does Moses, but Swallow’s round bass lines are firmly present.
Overall, this is a very well-played and sung “Jazz & Poetry” album, with excellent contributions by all the participants, but does not break any new ground or demands a particular intellectual effort to enjoy the music for what it is.
| | Updated: 11/10/2024Posted: 11/10/2024 | CD 1 Mini-Sleeve Recommend To A Friend |
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