Record Reviews

JACK BRUCE / HR BIG BAND ~ MORE JACK THAN BLUES MIG 80312 (Barcode: 885513803122) ~ UK ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion Recorded: 2006 Released: 2015 This is a sensational live recording by the legendary British vocalist / bassist / songwriter Jack BruceFind albums by this artist, presenting the veteran Artist accompanied by the German HR Big BandFind albums by this artist performing eleven of his wonderful songs, originating from the seminal CreamFind albums by this artist albums and his solo albums, many of which feature lyrics by Pete BrownFind albums by this artist, and presenting a sort of "best of" review of his career, although of course Bruce could have selected dozens other songs and those would have fitted the bill as well. The accompanying DVD presents this live recording expanded by the addition of two more songs performed at the time, which are not included on the audio CD. The HR Big Band (from Frankfurt) is one of several German Big Bands, such as the NDR Big BandFind albums by this artist (from Hamburg) or the WDR Big BandFind albums by this artist (from Cologne), which function side by side with the regional state broadcasting corporations active in Germany, being decentralized by law and remaining as one of the last bastions of independent publicly sponsored cultural organizations, adding a tremendous input into European Jazz in particular and European Culture in general. The musicians employed by these Big Bands have ideal working conditions and are free from economic struggles, which take a heavy toll on most freelance musicians. Also many projects, like the one documented on this album, would have never happened in a purely unsponsored commercial environment and the existence of these bands is simply a cultural miracle. The HR Big Band, conducted by Jorg Achim KellerFind albums by this artist, who also wrote all the Big Band arrangements of Bruce´s songs, supports the guest amicably and elegantly, with obvious love and tremendous respect. Together they achieve an unprecedented effect, which is fresh and uplifting even for veteran Bruce followers. The Big Band sound and the splendid soloing by the Big Band members transform Bruce´s songs into a completely new dimension, present a different aesthetic perspective and emphasize the universality of his music. The presence of American Giant drummer Danny GottliebFind albums by this artist also adds to the overall result. Bruce is in absolute top form here, both as a vocalist and as an instrumentalist, delivering wonderfully lyrical interpretations of his songs and fiery soloing. Bruce´s death in 2014 left an entire generation of his contemporaries struck with a tremendous feeling of loss and grief, once we realized that there would be no more new songs and none of the personal gestures, those who knew him experienced every time we met. Personally I always admired him both as a musical genius and a human being and in retrospect I sense that in spite of the fame and glory he enjoyed occasionally, he remains as one of the most underappreciated and misunderstood musicians of our time. His love of Blues, Rock and Jazz and the unique way he walked the tight rope between them separated him from most other musicians of his time. His pivotal role in the creation of the Jazz-Rock idiom would have sufficed for most, but for him it was just one of many achievements he managed to put on the pages of his life´s book. This album is a wonderful opportunity to taste, feel and experience Jack Bruce at his best, doing what he loved, always uncompromisingly and true to himself at all times. The sound quality of the recording is near perfect considering the difficulty of recording a Big Band and the separation allows hearing the individual instruments in great detail. This is a great tribute to Bruce´s many talents and a piece of music history, of which he was a grand champion. "More Jack Than Blues" is a most appropriate epitaph to his life!

Updated: 25/04/2016Posted: 24/04/2016

CD+DVD 2 Digipak Recommend To A Friend

AL DI MEOLA ~ CIELO E TERRA / SOARING THROUGH A DREAM / TIRAMI SU BGO 0879 (Barcode: 5017261208798) ~ USA ~ Jazz-World Fusion Recorded: 1985 - 1987 Released: 2009 Guitarist / composer Al Di MeolaFind albums by this artist is a brilliant example of a musician, who never stands still and keeps changing and improving in time, rather than hanging on to the fame and success achieved in a distant past. A superb Master of his instrument, Di Meola´s journey through music is an epic story beginning in the early 1970s in the epicenter of the then exploding Fusion movement as a member of Chick CoreaFind albums by this artist´s Return To ForeverFind albums by this artist, and continuing with a long succession of solo recordings, which is now in its 4th decade. This brilliant reissue covers the transitional period in Di Meola´s career in the mid-1980s, when he was moving away from Fusion deeper and deeper into his own unique niche, which combines Jazz and World Music, creating some of the most beautiful music imaginable. Included here are all three albums Di Meola recorded for the ManhattanFind albums on this label Records label, which clearly show his transition as well as the gradual switch to acoustic guitar. Although quite different from each other, the logical development is clearly omnipresent and quite fascinating. The three albums were recorded in three different settings: the first is a duet, the second a quintet and the last a septet, with some superb musicians taking part: the great Brazilian percussionist Airto MoreiraFind albums by this artist, drummer Danny GottliebFind albums by this artist, keyboardist Kei AkagiFind albums by this artist, bassist Harvey SwartzFind albums by this artist, percussionist Mino CineluFind albums by this artist and other distinguished players. Almost all of the music included here was composed by Di Meola, with just a few exceptions, all of it brilliant and moving. This is the stuff that makes listening to music a real pleasure, brilliant, intelligent, emotional and everlasting. A must!

Updated: 28/02/2024Posted:

CD 2 Slipcase Remastered Recommend To A Friend

GIL EVANS ORCHESTRA ~ TRIBUTE TO GIL SOUL NOTE 121209 (Barcode: 02731212092) ~ USA ~ Jazz Recorded: 1988 Released: 1989 The great American (of Canadian origin) pianist / composer / arranger / bandleader Gil EvansFind albums by this artist was one of the most influential Jazz personalities in the 20th Century. The orchestra he led and conducted, The Gil Evans OrchestraFind albums by this artist, was undoubtedly one of the most important orchestras in Jazz history, for many reasons, the most important of which being the constant innovative approach as far as the arrangements were concerned and the openness to other music genres, especially Rock, which often made the orchestra sound like a Rock Big Band, as well as the presence of young and upcoming Jazz players as members of the orchestra. In the summer of 1987 the orchestra performed in Italy and was enthusiastically welcomed by the warm Italian audiences. Following Evans´ death in March of 1988 it was decided to repeat the Italian concert series in July of 1988, as a tribute to Evans, which included appearances at the Umbria and Sicilia Jazz Festivals, where the music presented on this album was recorded. The orchestra´s lineup reads like a who´s who of American and European Jazz at the time: trumpeters Lew SoloffFind albums by this artist, Hannibal PetersonFind albums by this artist and Miles EvansFind albums by this artist (Gil´s son), saxophonists Chris HunterFind albums by this artist and Alex FosterFind albums by this artist, pianist Gil GoldsteinFind albums by this artist, guitarist Bireli LagreneFind albums by this artist, bassist Mark EganFind albums by this artist, drummer Danny GottliebFind albums by this artist and many others. For Polish Jazz enthusiasts it is worthy to mention that both vocalist Urszula DudziakFind albums by this artist and violinist Michal UrbaniakFind albums by this artist take part in the proceedings. The music is a series of vibrant cross-genre oriented arrangements, which use a Funky rhythm section pulsation and layers of Big Band brass sound to create a unique amalgam. Four of the six tracks present music composed by Evans and are a great tribute to his compositional vision. The Dudziak / Goldstein duo is one of the absolute highlights of the album, featuring her idiosyncratic vocal / electronics pyrotechnics. Overall this is a great tribute to Evans´ contribution to Jazz music and a piece of history well deserved revisiting!

Updated: 12/09/2019Posted: 12/09/2019

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend

GEORGE GRUNTZ / CONCERT JAZZ BAND ~ GLOBAL EXCELLENCE TCB 21172 (Barcode: 725095211727) ~ SWITZERLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 2001 Released: 2001 This is a fabulous album by the Swiss pianist / composer / bandleader George GruntzFind albums by this artist and his Concert Jazz BandFind albums by this artist, which for many years was the best European Jazz Big Band / Orchestra. Gruntz was one of the great Godfathers of European Jazz and his many activities and contributions over the years advanced the Jazz idiom immensely. This album presents eight compositions, four of which were composed by Gruntz, three others were composed by members of his orchestra and one is a traditional Turkish melody. Gruntz wrote the arrangements and orchestrations of all the pieces. Among the musicians playing on this album one can find trombonist Dave BargeronFind albums by this artist, drummer Danny GottliebFind albums by this artist, trumpeter Marvin StammFind albums by this artist, saxophonist Chris HunterFind albums by this artist, bassists Mark EganFind albums by this artist and Mike RichmondFind albums by this artist, a. m. o. The music, although kept within the mainstream Big Band setting, in incredibly innovative and original, clearly pointing out the many differences between American and European Big Band approach. The arrangements and orchestrations are complex and convoluted, constantly changing the dynamics and tempi, with less emphasis on the individual solos and more dedicated to the overall orchestral sound and interplay. The inclusion of the Turkish tune is typical of Gruntz openness towards World Music, which he displayed many times throughout his career. Same applies to the inclusion of the tune composed by Russian trumpeter / composer Alexander SipiaginFind albums by this artist, which shows the great respect Gruntz always felt towards Jazz originating in Eastern Europe. Overall this is a monumental piece of Big Band music, at its finest and most sophisticated form, which should be truly enjoyed by all connoisseurs of that Jazz sub-genre. For young musicians, especially those studying composition and arrangement, this is an open book of how things should be done. Although Gruntz is sadly no longer with us, his wonderful music lasts and his extensive recorded legacy is a treasure chest of musical gems. Not to be missed!

Updated: 08/06/2023Posted: 25/09/2016

CD 1 Oversampling Recommend To A Friend

GEORGE GRUNTZ / CONCERT JAZZ BAND ~ TIGER BY THE TAIL TCB 26702 (Barcode: 725095267021) ~ SWITZERLAND ~ Big Band Jazz Recorded: 2005 Released: 2006 This is a fabulous album by the Swiss pianist / composer / bandleader George GruntzFind albums by this artist and his Concert Jazz BandFind albums by this artist, which for many years was the best European Jazz Big Band / Orchestra. Gruntz was one of the great Godfathers of European Jazz and his many activities and contributions over the years advanced the Jazz idiom immensely. The album was recorded in the US, and presents a mixed American / European lineup, with some of the finest Jazz musicians on the planet. The album presents eight compositions, four of which were composed by Gruntz and another four by members of the Big Band. Gruntz wrote the arrangements and orchestrations of all the pieces. Among the musicians playing on this album one can find trombonist Dave BargeronFind albums by this artist, drummer Danny GottliebFind albums by this artist, trumpeters Marvin StammFind albums by this artist, Jack WalrathFind albums by this artist and Franco AmbrosettiFind albums by this artist, saxophonists Chris HunterFind albums by this artist and Dave LiebmanFind albums by this artist, Israeli bass guitarist Arie VolinezFind albums by this artist, a. m. o. The music, although kept within the mainstream Big Band setting, in incredibly innovative and original, clearly pointing out the many differences between American and European Big Band approach. The arrangements and orchestrations are complex and convoluted, constantly changing the dynamics and tempi, with less emphasis on the individual solos and more dedicated to the overall orchestral sound and interplay. Although Gruntz is sadly no longer with us, his wonderful music lasts and his extensive recorded legacy is a treasure chest of musical gems. Not to be missed! Overall, this is a monumental piece of Big Band music, at its finest and most sophisticated form, which should be truly enjoyed by all connoisseurs of that Jazz sub-genre. For young musicians, especially those studying composition and arrangement, this is an open book of how things should be done.

Updated: 05/03/2025Posted: 05/03/2025

CD 1 Oversampling Recommend To A Friend