Record Reviews

FRANCO AMBROSETTI / EMIL VIKLICKY ~ FRANCO AMBROSETTI & EMIL VIKLICKY TRIO MULTISONIC 310644 (Barcode: 741941064422) ~ SWITZERLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 2004 Released: 2005 This album presents a live recording by the Swiss trumpeter Franco AmbrosettiFind albums by this artist supported by the wonderful trio led by Czech pianist / composer Emil ViklickyFind albums by this artist with veteran bassist Frantisek UhlirFind albums by this artist and drummer Laco TroppFind albums by this artist. Ambrosetti has been a prominent member of the European Jazz community since the 1960s when the new, emancipated scene was emerging. His incredible phrasing, warmth and tone awarded him a position amongst the world´s top trumpet players. The quartet together performs seven pieces, two of which are Viklicky´s originals, one is Uhlir´s original and the remaining four are standards. The performances are absolutely brilliant with Ambrosetti´s virtuosity flawlessly supported by the sublime playing of the trio. In many respects this is a perfect example of European Jazz with all its elegance and sophistication. They compliment each other to the fullest extent creating outstanding Jazz music in the process. Uhlir´s powerful and always divinely melodic bass lines and especially his spectacular solos are a delight. I van hardly imagine any true Jazz lover not enjoying this music immensely. Highly recommended! Side Note This album is a part of the “Jazz Na Hrade (Jazz At Prague Castle)” series, released by the Czech MultisonicFind albums on this label label, which presents live recordings performed at various locations inside the charming Prague Castle, now the residence of the President of the Czech Republic. The series was initiated in 2004 by President Vaclav KlausFind albums by this artist, who often introduces the players himself on these albums, and symbolizes the respect and love of all things Cultural by the Czech People, including Jazz of course.

Updated: 16/03/2022Posted:

CD 1 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

VARIOUS ARTISTS ~ POLISH RADIO JAZZ ARCHIVES VOL.22 POLSKIE RADIO 1874 (Barcode: 5907812248741) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 1964 Released: 2015 This is the twenty-second installment in the series of releases initiated by the Polish Radio, which presents archive Jazz recordings from the radio vaults. Radio recordings are always a fabulous source of remarkable material, and as far as Polish Jazz history is concerned, the Polish Radio, which was a state monopoly for 45 years, recorded over time a plethora of invaluable material, which apart from the albums released by the Polskie Nagrania record company (also a state monopoly), is the only available additional source of Polish Jazz recordings. For many years Polish Radio recorded concerts presented during Poland´s most important Jazz venues, including the annual Jazz Jamboree Festival and many other festivals as well. The ten tracks collected here were recorded during the seventh Jazz Jamboree Festival, which took place between October 24 and 26 1964 in Warsaw. This is the third part of the Jazz Jamboree 1964 recordings. The music was performed by four different ensembles, which are: the Italian Flavio Ambrosetti All StarsFind albums by this artist (five tracks), led by saxophonist Flavio AmbrosettiFind albums by this artist with trumpeter Franco AmbrosettiFind albums by this artist, Swiss pianist George GruntzFind albums by this artist, Polish bassist Tadeusz WojcikFind albums by this artist and Swiss drummer Pierre FavreFind albums by this artist and three Polish Jazz ensembles, Krzysztof KomedaFind albums by this artist Quintet (one track) with trumpeter Tomasz StankoFind albums by this artist, saxophonist Michal UrbaniakFind albums by this artist, bassist Janusz KozlowskiFind albums by this artist and drummer Czeslaw BartkowskiFind albums by this artist, Polish Jazz QuartetFind albums by this artist (two tracks) led by saxophonist Jan Ptaszyn WroblewskiFind albums by this artist with pianist Wojciech KarolakFind albums by this artist, bassist Juliusz SandeckiFind albums by this artist and drummer Andrzej DabrowskiFind albums by this artist and Zbigniew NamyslowskiFind albums by this artist Quartet (two tracks) with pianist Wlodek GulgowskiFind albums by this artist, bassist Tadeusz Wojcik and drummer Czeslaw Bartkowski. This is by far the most interesting of the three volumes of the Jazz Jamboree 1964 recordings, as it presents the modern Polish Jazz about to explode into modernism, which will shape its destiny for generations to come. Stanko, Urbaniak, Wroblewski, Bartkowski are still active on the Polish scene, fifty years latter, carrying the fire which was first sparkled around the time these recordings were made. The Ambrosetti set is also interesting, as it allows a glance at two legendary Jazz figures: Gruntz and Favre, at their early days. Most of the music performed on this album is original. The beautifully restored sound quality is excellent and the warm ambience of the analog recording is a true joy. As usual with this series, which is very reasonably priced, I miss the presence of "in depth" liner notes / booklet, which should convey the circumstances at which this music was recorded and its importance to the development of Jazz in Poland. Nevertheless this is an absolutely essential piece of Jazz history which every Jazz fan will surely consider an absolute must.

Updated: 08/07/2020Posted:

CD 1 Digipak Remastered Recommend To A Friend

MIROSLAV VITOUS ~ REMEMBERING WEATHER REPORT ECM 2073 (Barcode: 602517881372) ~ CZECHOSLOVAKIA ~ Jazz Recorded: 2006 - 2007 Released: 2009 Czech bassist / composer Miroslav VitousFind albums by this artist was a founding member of the seminal group Weather ReportFind albums by this artist and played on their first 3 studio albums and the live album recorded in Japan. The idea of Weather Report was to search for a new direction in the rapidly changing Jazz scene at the time, which was initiated by the revolutionary artistry of Miles DavisFind albums by this artist. However, as we know in retrospect, Weather Report took a different turn than what Vitous had in mind when he co-founded the group, turning gradually more and more into the leading Fusion and Funk group of the 1970s / 1980s, rather than exploring the realms of free improvisation and spontaneity. Thirty years later Vitous takes a somewhat nostalgic trip back to his Weather Report days, proposing a "what if…" scenario, i.e. presenting music, which might have been played by the band if he stayed on. Played by his quartet with veteran Swiss trumpeter Franco AmbrosettiFind albums by this artist, saxophonist Gary CampbellFind albums by this artist and drummer Gerald CleaverFind albums by this artist, Vitous also adds the veteran French Master – Michel PortalFind albums by this artist, who plays bass clarinet. Together they perform some superb music, mostly written by Vitous except for one piece by Ornette ColemanFind albums by this artist, which is pretty open and free but retains enough rhythmic and melodic backbone to be enjoyable even to less ear-trained listeners. Wholeheartedly recommended!

CD 1 Slipcase Recommend To A Friend