Record Reviews

LEE KONITZ / KENNY WHEELER ~ OLDEN TIMES – LIVE AT BIRDLAND NEUBURG CHALLENGE 71146 (Barcode: 608917114621) ~ USA ~ Jazz Recorded: 1999 Released: 2016 This is a reissue / remaster of a live album by the quartet co-led by American saxophonist / composer Lee KonitzFind albums by this artist and British trumpeter / composer Kenny WheelerFind albums by this artist, with a German rhythm section comprising of pianist Frank WunschFind albums by this artist and bassist Gunnar PlumerFind albums by this artist. The album presents ten tracks (one of which is a bonus on this new edition), three of which are composed by Konitz, four by Wheeler, two by Wunsch and one by Plumer. The album offers a beautiful sound quality and ambience. The music is all highly melodic mainstream Jazz, superbly performed by these great musicians. The absence of drums aids the gentle, intimate atmosphere, and shifts the responsibility of keeping time to the bassist, who stands up to the challenge formidably. The interplay between Konitz and Wheeler is simply marvelous, both being lost romantics and highly sensitive songweavers, which results in truly heartwarming music. Although this is one of the least known albums in Wheeler’s discography, it is one of most wonderful examples of his sublime trumpet / flugelhorn work, and is a must to all his many followers. Konitz also plays as sweetly and seductively as he is able, and together they are simply irresistible. Overall, this is a wonderful piece of music, seemingly unpretentious and subdued, but full of artistry and elegance, which is only rarely achieved to such degree. In short, this is an absolute must for true Jazz lovers and an indispensable piece for all Wheeler collectors!

Updated: 14/12/2024Posted: 14/12/2024

CD 1 Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend

WUNSCH / STRAUCH SEXTET ~ JOANA`S WALTZ JAZZ`N`ARTS 3205 (Barcode: 4260089370036) ~ GERMANY ~ Jazz Recorded: 2004 Released: 2005 This is an album by German Jazz sextet co-led by pianist / composer Frank WunschFind albums by this artist and drummer Oliver StrauchFind albums by this artist, which also includes British trumpeter Kenny WheelerFind albums by this artist and German saxophonists Gerd DudekFind albums by this artist and August Wilhelm ScheerFind albums by this artist and bassist Paul G. UrlichFind albums by this artist. The album presents nine tracks, four of which are original compositions by Wunsch, three by Wheeler and two are standards. The album finds Wheeler among fellow German musicians, in one of several such encounters. He was always open and ready to participate in projects involving international lineups and in retrospect is probably the British Jazz musician, who recorded more often on the European scene than anybody else, in dozens of diverse settings. This is one of many Wheeler’s recordings, which remains almost completely obscure and does not appear in most of his discographies. I was very lucky to get it from Kenny’s private collection. The music is a marvelous example of modern European Jazz, based on melodic, somewhat melancholic themes, in an environment that suites Wheeler’s stylistic approach ideally. Wheeler has a lot of opportunity to solo, and this album offers some of Wheeler’s typically splendid work, which never ceases to amaze. Despite the fact that this is a sextet recording, most of the times it presents one soloist supported by the rhythm section, with limited appearances by the entire brass section, which creates an intimate, relaxed climate. Overall, this is an excellent modern European Jazz album, performed by first class musicians, which is absolutely worth digging for, not only for the great contributions by Kenny Wheeler, but no less importantly for the splendid music and superb performances by the entire team.

Updated: 12/05/2023Posted: 12/05/2023

CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend