Record Reviews

PAUL BLEY ~ THE COMPLETE REMASTERED RECORDINGS ON BLACK SAINT & SOUL NOTE CAM JAZZ 1027 (Barcode: 8052405141064) ~ USA ~ Jazz Recorded: 1983 - 1994 Released: 2013 This superb Box Set collects all the recordings by legendary American (Canadian by birth) pianist / composer Paul BleyFind albums by this artist released the twin Italian independent labels: Black SaintFind albums on this label and Soul NoteFind albums on this label. The set includes ten albums (one not listed on the box´s packaging and subsequently explained as a bonus album) featuring various recordings by Bley as a leader or co-leader over a span of twelve years (1983–1994) made alongside the top Jazz players active in the 1980s and 1990s and is therefore a superb document of the era. Bley (born 1932), one of my favorite musicians of all times, was one of the pioneers of Free Jazz in the late 1950s, and continues to be a most creative and innovative figure on the American Jazz scene, although he is less active lately, no doubt due to his age. His approach to piano was always extraordinarily unique and just a few notes are usually enough to recognize his playing. In his life he released over a hundred albums, which featured the crème de la crème of Jazz musician of the last seven decades. Bley was always a very intimate musician and clearly preferred solo, duos or trios than bigger lineups. Of the ten albums included here, one is a solo album, four are duo albums, three are trio albums, and the last two are quartet albums. The participating musicians include drummers: George Cross McDonaldFind albums by this artist, Barry AltschulFind albums by this artist, Paul MotianFind albums by this artist and Tony OxleyFind albums by this artist, bassists: Steve SwallowFind albums by this artist, Gary PeacockFind albums by this artist, Red MitchellFind albums by this artist, Charlie HadenFind albums by this artist and Furio Di CastroFind albums by this artist, guitarists John ScofieldFind albums by this artist and John AbercrombieFind albums by this artist, and finally clarinetists / saxophonists Jimmy GuiffreFind albums by this artist and Keshavan MaslakFind albums by this artist. This music is an absolute must to all Jazz enthusiasts, and the fact that it is available again is pure joy. Bley is a genius composer and instrumentalist and his legacy is well worth to be preserved and studied by the new generation of Jazz musicians. Remastered, mini-sleeved and with a great bargain price – this Box Set is an absolute must for any serious Jazz collector. Side Note The Italian independent record label Black SaintFind albums on this label was founded by the music critic / author / producer Giacomo PellicciottiFind albums by this artist in 1975. It was taken over by the producer Giovanni BonandriniFind albums by this artist in 1978 and a year later (1979) a sister label, called Soul NoteFind albums on this label, was established. The twin labels were run by Giovanni and later his son Flavio BonandriniFind albums by this artist, until they were sold in 2008 to the Italian KEPACH Music Group, which already owned the CAM JazzFind albums on this label label, and which also bought another Italian independent record label Dischi Della QuerciaFind albums on this label. The mission of the Black Saint / Soul Note labels was to record and document the Free Jazz / Improvised Music / Avant-Garde scene, mostly from the US but also from Europe, which continued between mid 1970s and late 1990s and produced a staggering collection of almost 550 albums recorded by world's most important Jazz innovators active at the time, providing an opportunity to American (mostly Afro-American) musicians, who would have never managed to make these recordings at home, ridden by racism, alienation and closed-mindedness. Without these two labels most of this fantastic human creativity would have been never documented. However, the Black Saint / Soul Note Box Sets produced under the CAM JazzFind albums on this label moniker are an archetypal example of how good intentions turn sour. Although these new editions often bring back to life some of the best music ever made on this planet, which in many cases has been lost in the tides of time and was unavailable on the market for ages, they suffer from an unforgivable disregard to the essence of cultural values and general sloppiness, contrary to human decency, which requires us to treat our cultural legacy with respect and loyalty. These Box Sets have no booklet which presents researched historical background and exact discographical information of the albums included, and most importantly an overview of the music and its meaning and contribution to the Jazz Art form. Although the original LP sleeves are reproduced, the information is in most cases too small to be readable at all. In short the fact that these Box Sets are meant to be inexpensive, does not mean that they have to be cheap!

Updated: 05/05/2020Posted: 26/12/2015

CD 10 Mini-Sleeve Box Set Remastered Essential Recommend To A Friend

FRESU / DI CASTRO / TAYLOR ~ CONTOS EGEA 039 (Barcode: 8015948000397) ~ ITALY ~ Jazz Recorded: 1993 Released: 1993 This is a beautiful album by the international Jazz trio comprising of Italian trumpeter / composer Paolo FresuFind albums by this artist and bassist / composer Furio Di CastroFind albums by this artist and British pianist / composer John TaylorFind albums by this artist. The album presents nine original compositions, four by Fresu, three by Di Castro and two by Taylor. The music is delicate and highly melodic / melancholic, totally acoustic and intimate in nature. The three musicians support each other amicably and they all solo extensively, offering truly sublime display of their musicality and brilliant technique. The trio format allows for each and every nuance and note played to be perfectly audible and the magic of the music created together lasts for the entire duration of the album, regardless if the music is played in the trio, duo or solo format at each specific moment. Fresu, one on my personal favorite European trumpeters, is a unique romantic, creating heartbreaking little touches like no other. Taylor was a Genius on unparalleled proportions and every touch of his fingers on the keyboard is a display of Artistry. Di Castro is one of the most imaginative and colorful European bassists. Together the trio perfectly symbolizes the European Jazz aesthetics and sophistication. The album was released on the Italian EGEA label, which is one of several excellent Italian labels, which offer numerous British and British-Italian Jazz recordings, like CAM Jazz and several smaller ones, all of which are worth following for listeners interested in first class European Jazz recordings. Overall, this is a beautiful album, delicate and fragile, full of super interplay between these Master musicians, and although recorded thirty years ago, is completely timeless and sounds exactly as relevant and convincing as it did at the time of its release, and as such is of course wholeheartedly recommended.

Updated: 03/02/2023Posted: 03/02/2023

CD 1 Slipcase Recommend To A Friend