Record Reviews

MAYNARD FERGUSON ~ M. F. HORN 4 & 5 – LIVE AT JIMMY`S BGO 1307 (Barcode: 5017261213075) ~ CANADA ~ Brass Rock Recorded: 1973 Released: 2017 This is a reissue of the album by Canadian Jazz trumpeter / composer / bandleader Maynard FergusonFind albums by this artist, recorded live at the famous NY club "Jimmy´s". Originally released as a double LP, this was the last chapter of the "M. F. HornFind albums with this title" series and marks the end of Ferguson´s British adventure, and his return to the US. The album was produced by the legendary ColumbiaFind albums on this label producer Teo MaceroFind albums by this artist, known for his work with Miles DavisFind albums by this artist and producer of countless other seminal Jazz recordings. This album includes ten expanded arrangements of popular songs, Jazz standards and original material, brilliantly performed by Ferguson and his band, which included three British players who took part in the recording of the earlier "M. F. Horn" albums: saxophonist Andy MacintoshFind albums by this artist, pianist Pete JacksonFind albums by this artist (who plays electric piano here and contributed two original compositions) and drummer Randy JonesFind albums by this artist. Saxophonists Ferdinand PovelFind albums by this artist from Netherlands and Bruce JohnstoneFind albums by this artist from New Zealand are also among the band members with the rest of the players being Americans. This album marks almost the end of Ferguson´s love affair with the Brass Rock / Jazz-Rock Fusion, which would be finalized by the recording of "ChameleonFind albums with this title" album a year later. The rest of Ferguson´s 1970s recordings on Columbia will be more commercially oriented, but still full of great performances and excellent music. Overall this album is a great piece of the Ferguson´s recorded legacy, which is certainly worth being remembered. It finalizes the wonderful Brass Rock / British Big Band period, which is certainly a pinnacle of his creativity, and a superb addition to the idiom, and which has a lasting value. Wholeheartedly recommended!

Updated: 18/04/2020Posted: 18/04/2020

CD 1 Slipcase Remastered Recommend To A Friend

JOHNNY GRIFFIN / HAL SINGER / LESZEK ZADLO / FERDINAND POVEL ~ SWISS RADIO DAYS TCB 02362 (Barcode: 725095023627) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 1975 - 1980 Released: 2013 This is a live archival album, which combines four sessions recorded by the Swiss Radio with a local Swiss rhythm section comprising of German (resident in Switzerland) pianist Klaus KoenigFind albums by this artist, bassist Peter FreiFind albums by this artist and drummers Alberto CanonicoFind albums by this artist, Peter SchmidlinFind albums by this artist or Pierre FavreFind albums by this artist and guest musicians: American saxophonists Johnny GriffinFind albums by this artist from 1975, and Hal SingerFind albums by this artist from 1980, Polish Saxophonist Leszek ZadloFind albums by this artist from 1979 and Dutch saxophonist Ferdinand PovelFind albums by this artist from 1978. The first three sessions present one track and the fourth session presents two tracks. Griffin, as expected, plays pretty straightforward mainstream Jazz, but the expanded playing time allows him to display his intensive improvisational abilities. Singer is mostly a Blues traditionalist, and his melodic performance is completely predictable. Zadlo, resident in Germany since 1975, is obviously the most interesting player on this album, pushing the boundaries of modern Jazz and Improvised Music, in the John Coltrane tradition. His fiery performance is convincing and jaw-dropping, and his presence on this album is the real reason why it is worth having a copy of it. Povel, who is an excellent player, very active on the European scene at the time, shows that his performances, although still rooted in Bebop, are way more advanced harmonically than anything originating from across the pond. Overall, due to the presence of Zadlo and Povel, this is a document of the European Jazz scene, especially important since the “Swiss Radio Days” series releases concentrated mostly on visiting American musicians, which seldom contributed interesting material.

Updated: 11/02/2025Posted: 11/02/2025

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend