Record Reviews

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

JOHN DANKWORTH ~ THE ZODIAC VARIATIONS / THE $1,000,000 COLLECTION VOCALION 8480 (Barcode: 765387848026) ~ UK ~ Jazz Recorded: 1964 - 1967 Released: 2011 Legendary British saxophonist / composer / arranger / bandleader John DankworthFind albums by this artist was one of the Godfathers of modern British Jazz. Although his career started in mid-1940s he was keen to pursue the sounds of Bee Bop, when those crossed the Atlantic and later pioneered the modern British Big Band sound. This album brings together two of thematic / "concept" Jazz suites written by Dankworth and performed by his Big Band / Orchestra, both being masterpieces of the genre. "The Zodiac VariationsFind albums with this title", recorded both in US and UK, feature some top American Jazz players as soloists: trumpeter Clark TerryFind albums by this artist, trombonist Bob BrookmeyerFind albums by this artist, saxophonist Phil WoodsFind albums by this artist and others. "The $1,000,000 CollectionFind albums with this title" (about famous paintings), recorded three years later, when the British Jazz scene was rapidly developing into a dew dimension, features many of the brilliant young players arriving on the scene, like trumpeters Kenny WheelerFind albums by this artist, Henry LowtherFind albums by this artist and Derek WatkinsFind albums by this artist, saxophonists Tony RobertsFind albums by this artist and Tony CoeFind albums by this artist, trombonists Chris PyneFind albums by this artist and Michael GibbsFind albums by this artist and many others. Musically this is brilliant stuff, from start to finish of course. British Jazz fans will find this stuff delightful, and Big Band enthusiasts will have a field day with this. I don´t think there is anything else I need to add here, just grab it, if this is your cup of tea!

Updated: 31/05/2017Posted:

CD 2 Remastered Recommend To A Friend

DUKE ELLINGTON ~ THE COMPLETE COLUMBIA STUDIO ALBUMS COLLECTION 1951-1958 SONY 886979388826 (Barcode: 886979388826) ~ USA ~ Jazz Recorded: 1951 - 1958 Released: 2012 American pianist / composer / bandleader Duke EllingtonFind albums by this artist is universally acclaimed as one of the most pivotal figures not only in Jazz but in the 20th Century Culture in general. Ellington was the most important Jazz composer, with over a thousand compositions to his credit. His incredibly fruitful imagination and a prophetic vision, in addition to his compositional skills, easily equivalent to those of contemporary Classical composers, made him a unique phenomenon among his peers, unparalleled and masterful. But he was also a superb pianist and a brilliant arranger as well as phenomenal bandleader. The Duke Ellington OrchestraFind albums by this artist was a symbol of Jazz for over five decades, starting in the 1920s during the Harlem Renaissance and until his death in 1974. The orchestras (Big Bands) led by Ellington were famous for their incredible precision and virtuosic skills and always comprised of the absolute crème de la crème of the American Jazz scene. The list of the band members reads like a who´s who of the 20th Century American Jazz. For Ellington the composer the existence of such a highly skilled orchestra was the only vehicle capable of performing his beautifully crafted but also often quite complex and devilishly clever music. This incredible Box Set includes all his recordings for the ColumbiaFind albums on this label label, recorded in the 1950s and covering this decade of his lifetime, which is often considered as the most artistically fertile in his entire career. It also covers the period of the great change in the Ellington´s orchestra, which was relatively stable in the preceding decade and a half and was about to be rejuvenated both personally and stylistically. With the departure of players like drummer Sonny GreerFind albums by this artist, saxophonist Johnny HodgesFind albums by this artist or trombonist Lawrence BrownFind albums by this artist, Ellington infused the orchestra with "fresh blood" in the form of drummer Louis BellsonFind albums by this artist (and later Sam WoodyardFind albums by this artist), saxophonist Paul GonsalvesFind albums by this artist, clarinetist Jimmy HamiltonFind albums by this artist, trumpeter Clark TerryFind albums by this artist and others, which resulted in a much more invigorated and up-to-date overall sound and vigor. The music herein includes some of Ellington´s most powerful and aesthetically fulfilling work, both short pieces and extended suites. It shows Ellington´s respect of the sources of Jazz, including Blues and Gospel on one hand, and his open-mindedness towards modern Classical music, all of which are the ingredients of his masterly compositions. Some of the music includes vocals, performed by Mahalia JacksonFind albums by this artist and others. There is no doubt than this is some of the best and most important music 20th Century bequeathed to future generations. One can only hope those future generations will keep this eternal flame alive with their continuous love and admiration. Remastered and expanded with a plethora of bonus tracks, this Box Set should become an absolutely essential cornerstone of any serious music collection, Jazz or otherwise. This is Culture encapsulated, intense and immortal, a beacon of light in the darkness of ignorance, which is slowly engulfing us all.

Updated: 26/01/2019Posted:

CD 9 Mini-Sleeve Box Set Remastered Bonus Tracks Essential Recommend To A Friend

DAVE PIKE ~ JAZZ FOR THE JET SET WOUNDED BIRD 1457 (Barcode: 664140145726) ~ USA ~ Jazz Recorded: 1966 Released: 2006 Vibraphonist Dave PikeFind albums by this artist has been active on the US jazz scene since the mid-1950s, playing in a variety of bands. In the early 1960s Pike joined the Herbie MannFind albums by this artist band, where he stayed for several years, playing an amplified vibraphone (one of the first musicians to do so). After leaving Mann’s band he recorded a few albums (this being one of them) and in 1968 he left for Europe, where he stayed for several years leading the Dave Pike SetFind albums by this artist, which was one of the most advanced and sophisticated early jazz-rock ensembles. With the Set he recorded a series of brilliant albums for the legendary German MPSFind albums on this label label (sadly mostly not available on CD), which featured the absolutely top European players at the time, including guitarist Volker KriegelFind albums by this artist and many more. In the mid-1970s Pike returned to the US, where he continued to perform and occasionally record. This album is quite unique in many ways: it was produced by Herbie Mann and features some of the best players on the scene, including Herbie HancockFind albums by this artist (plying the organ – the only time that happened!) and trumpeter Clark TerryFind albums by this artist. The material includes several original tunes (by Hancock and Pike) and lovely arrangements of great (then contemporary) Pop songs, creating one of the nicest ever jazz-pop albums (typical of the mid-1960s), with that incredible sound that makes my heart melt each time I hear it. Perhaps my nostalgia slightly clouds my judgment, but this is a most pleasant album, full of joy and naivete, so rare these days. Superb!

Updated: 30/01/2016Posted:

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend

CLARK TERRY ~ CLARK AFTER DARK MPS 4029759115700 (Barcode: 4029759115700) ~ USA ~ Jazz Recorded: 1977 Released: 2016 This is a reissue of an album by American trumpeter / composer and flugelhorn pioneer Clark TerryFind albums by this artist, which was his second of two albums for MPSFind albums on this label and which was produced by the British music critic / producer Mike HennesseyFind albums by this artist. The album presents ten Jazz ballads, nine of which are standards and one, which was written especially for this album by the German trombonist / bandleader / arranger / composer Peter HerbolzheimerFind albums by this artist. The album was recorded in London and features a mind-blowing huge orchestra, which includes the absolute crème de la crème of the British Jazz musicians, which does not appear on any other recording, and as such is absolutely unique. Some of the names include trumpeters: Derek WatkinsFind albums by this artist, Tony FisherFind albums by this artist and Kenny WheelerFind albums by this artist, trombonists: Dave HorlerFind albums by this artist and Nat PeckFind albums by this artist, reed players: Stan SulzmannFind albums by this artist, Tony CoeFind albums by this artist and Ronnie RossFind albums by this artist, pianist Gordon BeckFind albums by this artist, guitarist Martin KershawFind albums by this artist, bassist Chris LaurenceFind albums by this artist and many others. The music is definitely on the lighter side of Jazz, but Terry´s brilliant technique and enormous feel are definitely worth hearing. But the real hidden gem on this album is the brilliant performance by the orchestra and the superb arrangements. It is an exceptional example of the artistry of orchestration and of course the actual execution of the sophisticated arrangements by a group of immensely talented players. For British Jazz connoisseurs this is a rare gem, which is know by very few members of the proud community. As usual with reissues, it is great to have this gem back in circulation, for new generation of fans to discover and for those who lost the copy of the original vinyl issue to re-discover past pleasures. May the Force be with you! Side Note The legendary German MPSFind albums on this label (Musik Produktion Schwarzwald) label, founded by Hans Georg Brunner-SchwerFind albums by this artist (HGBS) in 1963, first as SABAFind albums on this label Records and later on from 1968 as MPS Records, was the most important independent European record label, which had an enormous contribution to the development of European Jazz. For many years MPS cooperated with the legendary German producer / author Joachim BerendtFind albums by this artist, my Friend and Mentor, whose visionary approach and open-mindedness brought the crème de la crème of the Jazz (in the broadest meaning of the word) musicians from all over the world to the label. Between 1963 and 1983 MPS produced about five hundred albums, many of which are among the most important Jazz recordings on this planet. In 1983 the MPS catalog was sold to UniversalFind albums on this label, which sadly resulted in all those artistic treasures to almost disappear from the face of the earth – a situation not only tragic but culturally criminal. Universal reissued a part of the MPS albums (probably 128 titles) on CD between 1999 and 2011 under the "Most Perfect Sound Edition" moniker. Since 2008 the German Promising MusicFind albums on this label label released some of the MPS recordings, but at a very slow pace. In 2014 the German company Edel AG bought the MPS catalogue from Universal and released a series of 25 MPS albums on CD with a new slipcase graphic design, which brought all those excellent albums back to life. In 2015 Edel AG started to record and release new albums under the MPS moniker. In 2016 Edel AG released a series of 10 classic MPS albums on CD, which were beautifully remastered and re-packaged, presenting the original artwork and liner notes, as well as new liner notes and photographs. An obvious labor of love, these reissues are what the MPS catalogue truly deserves. This project was continued in 2017 with another series of 10 classic MPS albums released on CD. In later years some new reissues were released sporadically. Over the years many SABA / MPS albums were reissued in Japan, which is often the only available source for these albums today, but that is a story in itself.

Updated: 28/05/2018Posted: 23/12/2016

CD 1 Mini-Sleeve Remastered Recommend To A Friend