Record Reviews
11 Reviews Found. Use search to find more reviews or follow the links in the review text.
  | BLACKBIRD ~ BLACKBIRD
MULTIKULTI MPJ 012 (Barcode: 5907796319710) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion
Recorded: 2014 Released: 2015
This is the debut album by the young Polish Jazz quintet BlackBirdFind albums by this artist, which comprises of trumpeter Pawel SurmanFind albums by this artist, guitarist Michal WalczakFind albums by this artist, pianist Michal RoratFind albums by this artist, bassist Bartek BednarekFind albums by this artist and US drummer Frank ParkerFind albums by this artist. Veteran vibraphonist Bernard MaseliFind albums by this artist appears as a guest artist on a couple of tracks. The album presents seven original compositions (one of which is repeated four times), four by Walczak, two by Rorat and one by Bednarek. The album was recorded live and has a very good sound quality.
The music is dominated by the sound of the electric guitar and immediately falls under the typical Fusion imagery. The combination of lead guitar and trumpet, which was favored by early Jazz-Rock / Fusion artists, like Larry CoryellFind albums by this artist and his Eleventh HouseFind albums by this artist ensemble for example, was pretty dormant lately and the attempt by BlackBird to bring it back is very effective. With the guitar / trumpet lead balanced by the acoustic piano and the electric bass and drums pulsating vigorously, the overall sound of the quintet floats somewhere between Fusion and the Scandinavian ECMFind albums on this label sound, which of course turns it immediately into a very likeable piece of music.
Once we have established that the album sounds great the question of course arises as to its musical contents, which is definitely not on the same level as the sound. The melodies are rather simplistic and a bit repetitive, which makes the album to sound like one continuous piece of music with very little diversity. Even the attempt to break the monotony by repeating the theme song four times does not help much. It´s not that the music is bad or anything, it just sort of stays in one place all the time. But of course this is only my personal opinion and others may find it completely misguided.
The personal performances by the quintet members are all quite adequate, although the guitar is definitely too loud and aggressive. For me Rorat delivers the most impressive solos, even if he is the most introvert and timid player herein. His piano strokes are a true joy throughout.
Overall this is a pleasant Fusion album, which many Fusion fans might find attractive and which sounds absolutely divine, but is hardly a brainer. Since it is a debut effort, things will probably improve with their next release, which I am impatiently waiting for already.
| | | CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend |
  | LARRY CORYELL ~ BAREFOOT MAN: SANPAKU
PURPLE PYRAMID 0460 (Barcode: 889466046025) ~ USA ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion
Recorded: 2015 Released: 2016
This is an album by the iconic American guitarist / composer / bandleader Larry CoryellFind albums by this artist, recorded in a quintet setting with saxophonist Dan JordanFind albums by this artist, pianist Lynne ArrialeFind albums by this artist, bassist John LeeFind albums by this artist and drummer Lee PiersonFind albums by this artist. The album presents seven original compositions, all composed by the leader. Although the album’s packaging gives no information about the place and date of recording, the music was most probably recorded in late 2015, which makes this one before last studio album by Coryell, who died in early 2017.
It is a bit puzzling why Coryell returned to the Fusion oriented music shortly before his death, after he spent over a decade playing almost straightforward Jazz, but whatever the reason might be, he was not only one of the American Fusion Godfathers but also definitely one of the genre’s best ever guitarists. Since the early days with Gary BurtonFind albums by this artist in the late 1960s, when his playing basically marked the origin of American Fusion, followed by his sensational work as leader of the Eleventh HouseFind albums by this artist, and countless other recordings with musicians from all over the world, his guitar playing was always a beacon of originality and talent. His last studio album “Seven SecretsFind albums with this title”, recorded with a reformed Eleventh House, was obviously a beautiful closure to his career, which lasted for six decades.
This album is also a beautiful example of Coryell’s music making, both as a composer of delicious tunes, a virtuosic guitar player and a leader, who always knew how to assemble a great team. Veteran bassist Lee, who goes back to the early days of Eleventh House, is in great form, but the decisive tone of this album is set by the superb acoustic piano playing by Arriale, whose lyricism is a great balance to the Funky atmosphere set by the rhythm section.
Overall, this is a wonderful tribute to Coryell’s career, which proves he was a sublime guitar player till the very end of his days. The music flows happily and the Funky / Fusion feel prevails, providing the perfect background for first class soloing by all the participants. This is what one can call “going in style”. Wholeheartedly recommended!
| | Updated: 11/05/2023Posted: 11/05/2023 | CD 1 Recommend To A Friend |
  | LARRY CORYELL ~ LAST SWING WITH IRELAND
ANGEL AIR 641 (Barcode: 5055011700413) ~ USA ~ Jazz
Recorded: 2016 Released: 2021
This is the last studio recording by the iconic American guitarist / composer Larry CoryellFind albums by this artist, captured just a few months before his untimely passing. The music was recorded in Ireland in an intimate trio setting with local bassist Dave RedmondFind albums by this artist and drummer Kevin BradyFind albums by this artist. The album presents six tracks, four of which are standards and two are originals co-composed by the trio members.
Coryell plays with incredible vigor and passion and his virtuosity is unblemished, which means that this album is a delightful farewell with his sublime and unique talent.
Coryell did not receive the due respect for his revolutionary role as a Godfather of American Jazz-Rock Fusion, starting with his absolutely amazing work with Gary BurtonFind albums by this artist in the 1960s and later his own groups, like The Eleventh HouseFind albums by this artist and duets / trios with other great guitarists, like Philip CatherineFind albums by this artist, Paco De LuciaFind albums by this artist, John McLaughlinFind albums by this artist and others. His extraordinary recording legacy includes over fifty albums as a leader and close to double that number as a sideman. In retrospect he remains as one of the greatest Guitar heroes of all time.
I have been fortunate to meet Larry Coryell many times, as well as his first wife Julie CoryellFind albums by this artist, who wrote one of the first books about Fusion and was a great photographer.
Overall, this is a delightful classic Jazz guitar album, which should delight every true guitar lover, even though it is not particularly innovative. It is, however, simply delightful!
| | Updated: 02/11/2021Posted: 02/11/2021 | CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend |
  | EERO KOIVISTOINEN / NORDJAZZ QUINTET ~ JAZZ LIISA VOL. 13 & VOL. 14
SVART 094 (Barcode: 6430065583011) ~ FINLAND ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion
Recorded: 1974 - 1975 Released: 2017
Saxophonist / composer / bandleader Eero KoivistoinenFind albums by this artist is one of the Godfathers of modern Finnish Jazz with a career spanning six decades and a glorious legacy of recorded music spanning a wide range of stylistic explorations. The live radio broadcast captured here presents Koivistoinen and his quartet: pianist Heikki SarmantoFind albums by this artist (another iconic figure of the Finnish Jazz scene), his brother Pekka SarmantoFind albums by this artist on bass and drummer Reino LaineFind albums by this artist, hosting the superb Belgian guitarist Philip CatherineFind albums by this artist, who visited Finland at the time. On one track the quintet is expanded to a sextet when joined by the Bulgarian trumpeter Reicho IvanovFind albums by this artist.
They perform five original compositions, two composed by Catherine, and one each by Danish trumpeter Palle MikkelborgFind albums by this artist, Koivistoinen and Ivanov. The music is highly electric (Sarmanto plays electric piano, Catherine electric guitar and even Ivanov plays an electric trumpet – see the Fusion group Eleventh HouseFind albums by this artist led by Larry CoryellFind albums by this artist, which had a similar lineup), which results in a charged Fusion fury, comparable to the best work of Mahavishnu OrchestraFind albums by this artist, and offering some of the finest quality of the genre ever recorded.
I am happy to say that Koivistoinen and Heikki Sarmanto have been my friends since decades and I had the immense pleasure to write liner notes for their albums.
The Nordjazz QuintetFind albums by this artist was a collaborative ensemble combining Jazz musicians from the Nordic countries (as opposed to Scandinavian, which means only Denmark, Norway and Sweden and not Finland and Iceland). The lineup changed over time and the one captured on this live broadcast includes Finnish saxophonist / flautist Pekka PoyryFind albums by this artist, Danish pianist Ole Kock HansenFind albums by this artist, Norwegian guitarist Nils Petter NyrenFind albums by this artist, Swedish bassist Kjell JanssonFind albums by this artist and Icelandic drummer Petur OstlundFind albums by this artist.
They perform three original compositions, one composed by Hansen and two composed by Finnish Jazz musicians, both keyboardists / composers, not members of the ensemble: Olli AhvenlahtiFind albums by this artist and Jukka LinkolaFind albums by this artist. The music serves as basis for extended improvisations within the Fusion oriented idiom, featuring extensive soloing.
These two sessions are ideally matched together and this CD is definitely one of the strongest and most coherent within the Jazz Liisa series.
Overall this is some of the most staggering music created in Europe in the early to mid 1970s that one is able to hear and for European Jazz connoisseurs this is an absolute must have!
Side Note
The Finnish independent label SvartFind albums on this label Records released an unprecedented series of albums called Pop Liisa and Jazz Liisa, which present priceless historical recordings of Finnish Rock, Progressive Rock, Jazz-Rock Fusion and Jazz music, recorded live and broadcasted from the Liisankatu Studios in Helsinki under the "Popstudio" and "Jazzstudio" monikers between 1972 and 1977. The studios were owned by the YLE (Finnish Broadcasting Company), a public broadcasting service, which not only allowed the burgeoning Finnish music scene at the time to be exposed but also carefully archived the recordings for future generations. All this incredible music was previously unissued and collectively is probably the most important document of Finnish music from that period ever assembled.
The music was released on 36 LPs (Pop Liisa Vol. 01 to Vol. 18 and Jazz Liisa Vol. 01 to Vol. 18) and on 18 CDs with every two consecutive volumes combined on one CD.
The sound quality is absolutely superb, often better than the sound quality on the LPs released by these artists at the time. Many of the groups appearing on these albums never managed to record an album and these recordings are the only recorded legacy in existence of their activity. The released are accompanied by well researched and intelligent liner notes.
This archival project is an outstanding example of how Cultural Legacy should be treated as well as of exemplary dedication to record producing professionalism.
| | Updated: 13/06/2020Posted: 13/06/2020 | CD 1 Remastered Recommend To A Friend |
  | ALPHONSE MOUZON ~ BY ALL MEANS
MPS 4029759169703 (Barcode: 4029759169703) ~ USA ~ Jazz-Funk Fusion
Recorded: 1981 Released: 2021
This is a reissue / remaster of an album by American drummer / composer / bandleader Alphonse MouzonFind albums by this artist, recorded with some top American musicians active at the time, including keyboardist Herbie HancockFind albums by this artist, guitarists Lee RitenourFind albums by this artist and Paul Jackson Jr.Find albums by this artist, bassist Scott EdwardsFind albums by this artist and the Seawind HornsFind albums by this artist. Trumpeter Freddie HubbardFind albums by this artist guests on one tracks. The album presents five original compositions, all by Mouzon, and the album was produced by my Friend and Mentor Joachim BerendtFind albums by this artist.
Mouzon enjoyed an illustrious career during the 1970s, first as a member of McCoy TynerFind albums by this artist quartet and later as a founding member of Weather ReportFind albums by this artist, Larry CoryellFind albums by this artist’s Eleventh HouseFind albums by this artist and many other Fusion ensembles, which makes him one of the forefathers of the American Fusion. By the time this album was recorded, Mouzon move more towards Funk and Groove, and this album is a classic example of the genre. Combining Funky grooves and Jazzy brass arrangements it reflects perfectly the relaxed atmosphere fashionable at the time.
Although hardly challenging musically, the album shows that the easier side of the Jazz spectrum can be masterly conceived and executed by highly professional musicians, who are Masters of their trade.
Overall, this is a long overdue reissue of a very enjoyable album, which is a perfect companion for sunny days and an effective antidepressant, which should help some of the Jazz snobs to relax once in a while.
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: 29/12/2023Posted: 02/05/2022 | CD 1 Digipak Remastered Recommend To A Friend |
  | ALPHONSE MOUZON ~ IN SEARCH OF A DREAM
MPS 4029759097273 (Barcode: 4029759097273) ~ USA ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion
Recorded: 1977 Released: 2014
Conceived and produced by my Friend and Mentor, the celebrated Joachim BerendtFind albums by this artist, this wonderful and sadly little known album presents a recording by a Fusion supergroup headed by the great American drummer / composer Alphonse MouzonFind albums by this artist. A group of top Fusion players from both sides of the pond, the collective personnel includes, in addition to Mouzon, two more Americans: keyboardist Stu GoldbergFind albums by this artist and saxophonist Bob MalikFind albums by this artist. The European contingent comprises of Belgian guitar virtuoso Philip CatherineFind albums by this artist, German pianist Joachim KuhnFind albums by this artist and finally Czech bass magician Miroslav VitousFind albums by this artist, who plays a funkiest electric bass ever on this album, in addition to his double bass, a very rare occurrence indeed.
Mouzon, aged 29 at the time this music was recorded (the "Happy Birthday" chant heard on the album is about that), was already a Fusion veteran, after being a founding member of Weather ReportFind albums by this artist (with Vitous) and later Larry CoryellFind albums by this artist´s Eleventh HouseFind albums by this artist. His technical proficiency and more importantly superb musicality earned his much respect among his peers and quite a following on the busy Fusion scene. This recording was Mouzon´s second album as a leader for the legendary German MPSFind albums on this label label, also produced by Berendt, following the no less outstanding "VirtueFind albums with this title" recorded a year earlier.
Of the nine tracks on this album, six are original compositions by Mouzon, with the remaining three being originals by Catherine, Kuhn and Vitous. They are all superb pieces of music, based on great melodies, complex rhythmic patterns and stunning solo work by all the participants, reflecting Fusion at its best before the genre sadly dwindled into obsessive repetitious doodling.
Hearing this music almost forty years after it was recorded produces a striking realization that it lost absolutely nothing of its original freshness and sounds brilliant as ever, perhaps even more so today, considering what pretends to be music these days. Listening carefully to this album reveals a plentitude of musical details and ideas that went into creating this music, which require talent and dedication. Mouzon´s drumming on this album is of course a delightful reminder of better times.
As all the albums recorded for the MPS label, the recording quality of this album is simply marvelous, with precision and ambience unachieved by almost any other recordings and as such is a true delight to all audiophile music listeners, in additions to being a great document of the era when music truly mattered.
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: 29/12/2023Posted: 30/01/2016 | CD 1 Slipcase Remastered Recommend To A Friend |
  | ALPHONSE MOUZON ~ VIRTUE
PROMISING MUSIC 44110 (Barcode: 602517602410) ~ USA ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion
Recorded: 1976 Released: 2009
In the early 1970s the name of US drummer Alphonse MouzonFind albums by this artist was almost synonymous with Jazz-Rock Fusion as one of its most prominent drummers, rivaled only by Billy CobhamFind albums by this artist. His stints with Weather ReportFind albums by this artist and Larry CoryellFind albums by this artist´s Eleventh HouseFind albums by this artist are prime examples of his extraordinary abilities and technique. But Mouzon could play modern Jazz as well as Fusion, and he played with the best, including McCoy TynerFind albums by this artist and many other "conventional" Jazz musicians. This album is a brainchild of the legendary producer Joachim BerendtFind albums by this artist, who was a great fan of Mouzon´s playing and invited him to record for the legendary MPSFind albums on this label label twice, before recording this one with him as a leader. For the album Mouzon assembled quite an unusual quartet, incorporating one of the greatest (and often underappreciated) saxophonist Gary BartzFind albums by this artist, which seemed truly inappropriate, as Bartz was more then anything a player in the John ColtraneFind albums by this artist tradition, which was hardly "in place" in a Funk / Fusion setting. The result of course proves that all fears were completely unfounded and the quartet works like a dream. Completed by keyboardist Stu GoldbergFind albums by this artist (a frequent guest on the MPS label), whose feel for Fusion and Funk was beyond reproach, and bassist Welton GiteFind albums by this artist (a legendary bass player, who was a member of SteppenwolfFind albums by this artist! and played with a plethora of Rock, Pop and Jazz acts) the quartet performs a set of compositions composed by Mouzon, playing their ass off from start to finish, producing one of the most energetic and brilliant Fusion albums with no weak moments whatsoever. Mouzon is of course brilliant, a monster rhythmic (and polyrhythmic) driving power at all times. Both Goldberg and Bartz get plenty of solo space and the overall result is a Fusion orgy of unearthly proportions. Although this album is rarely mentioned as a Fusion "classic", it definitely deserves the status, which anybody listening to it should easily recognize. We should be grateful to Promising MusicFind albums on this label for reissuing this classic treasure! As usual, the remastering, sound quality, packaging and extensive liner notes are beyond reproach. Warmly recommended!
| | Updated: 16/05/2016Posted: | CD 1 Mini-Sleeve Oversampling Remastered Recommend To A Friend |
  | OREN NEIMAN ~ FROLIC AND DETOUR
NOT ON LABEL (Barcode: 884501114257) ~ ISRAEL ~ Jazz
Recorded: 2008 Released: 2009
2nd album by Israeli (resident in US) guitarist / composer Oren NeimanFind albums by this artist, a quartet recording with Neiman on guitar, Kenny WarrenFind albums by this artist on trumpet, Doug DrewesFind albums by this artist on bass and Kenny ShawFind albums by this artist on drums, featuring his original compositions. Neiman moved to NY in 2001, where he studied with some of the best Jazz players on the scene, including guitarist John AbercrombieFind albums by this artist, and soon becoming his protégé. Following the studies he formed his own quartet, recording a debut album in 2006. This new recording, with a new quartet, is quite a unique statement. Neiman concentrates here more on producing a musical statement rather than showing off his guitar playing. In fact it is the trumpeter, who plays most of the leads on the album, with Neiman more in the shadows playing only occasional solo parts, but sometimes they play amazing unisono passages, which remind me of the Larry CoryellFind albums by this artist / Randy BreckerFind albums by this artist excursions in Eleventh HouseFind albums by this artist, but which are stylistically remote from the Fusion played by Eleventh House. Neiman´s music is very difficult to characterize (which is a good thing), obviously influenced by many diverse sources. It is predominantly Jazzy, but it also touches upon ethnic themes and rhythmic patterns, often using odd meters and unusual harmony. Also the unusual sound blend of the guitar / trumpet combination gives the listener the impression of hearing something innovative and rarely attempted before. Warren is an impressive player, with great sensitivity, warm tone and good range, who is able to make his instrument aggressive and lyrical, whichever suits the music at the time. The rhythm section gives a perfect support to the soloists, handling the difficult tempi with ease and elegance. Neiman´s praise goes mainly to his composing abilities, as his instrumental duties here are not the main concern (as far as I perceive it), although his playing is obviously top notch. Overall this is an interesting and challenging album, absolutely worth investigating.
| | | CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend |
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