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  | DIDIER LOCKWOOD ~ NEW WORLD
MPS 042282188021 (Barcode: 042282188021) ~ FRANCE ~ Jazz
Recorded: 1979 Released: 1990
This is a reissue of the debut album as a leader by French Jazz violinist / composer Didier LockwoodFind albums by this artist, recorded with in a quartet setting with a stellar lineup, which includes British pianist Gordon BeckFind albums by this artist, Danish bassist Niels-Henning Orsted PedersenFind albums by this artist and American drummer Tony WilliamsFind albums by this artist. Three quest musicians appear on selected tracks: British guitarist John EtheridgeFind albums by this artist, French guitarist Jean-Michel KajdanFind albums by this artist and pianist Francis LockwoodFind albums by this artist (Didier’s brother). The album presents nine tracks, three of which are his original compositions, two are by his brother, one is by Kajdan and three are standards. The album was produced by my Friend and Mentor Joachim BerendtFind albums by this artist and the album’s booklet includes his liner notes.
Lockwood continues the long string of French Jazz violinist, preceded by such giants like Stephane GrappelliFind albums by this artist and Jean-Luc PontyFind albums by this artist, but he was also strongly influenced by Polish violinist Zbigniew SeifertFind albums by this artist, who died just a few days before this album was recorded. One of the tracks on the album, entitled “Zbiggy”, was of course Lockwood’s tribute to Seifert.
The music is truly sensational, emphasizing Lockwood’s virtuosity and of course the talent of all the participants, especially so of Williams’ hyper-dynamic drumming, which is a prominent feature of this album. Although Lockwood started his musical career in the French Progressive Rock / Fusion group Magma, his solo work was almost completely dedicated to Jazz, with just a slight occasional touch of Fusiony accents.
Overall, this is a wonderful piece of music, which puts together musicians from different environments, creating an ideal amalgam of styles and artistic approaches. Although somewhat forgotten, if is a superb document of the European Jazz scene in the late 1970s, which was able to combine musicians from all the European scene and the best players from across the pond, something which Berendt, as the producer, was an absolute Genius of. This music still sounds great today!
| | Updated: 11/09/2025Posted: 11/09/2025 | CD 1 Recommend To A Friend |
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