Record Reviews

AGA TAURA CONFAB / ENRICO RAVA ~ EL CONVIDADO SVART / MONDO 381 (Barcode: 6430065589419) ~ ARGENTINA ~ Jazz-World Fusion Recorded: 1975 Released: 2019 In June of 1975 Italian trumpeter / composer Enrico RavaFind albums by this artist recorded his debut album for the prestigious German ECMFind albums on this label label, entitled "The Pilgrim And The StarsFind albums with this title", which upon its release later that year kick-started his solo career. The album was recorded with an international lineup of ECM stable musicians: American guitarists John AbercrombieFind albums by this artist (who also released his ECM debut the same year) and a marvelous Scandinavian rhythm section consisting of Swedish bassist Palle DanielssonFind albums by this artist and Norwegian drummer Jon ChristensenFind albums by this artist. A trumpet virtuoso and an exceptionally gifted composer, Rava established himself on the international scene during the entire decade earlier, playing and recording with the elite of Avant-Garde Jazz players of that period both in Europe and in America, which included Steve LacyFind albums by this artist, Roswell RuddFind albums by this artist, Charlie HadenFind albums by this artist, Don CherryFind albums by this artist, Argentinean Gato BarbieriFind albums by this artist (during his stint in Italy), Lee KonitzFind albums by this artist and others. By the early 1970s Rava embraced a more melodic approach to Jazz and started to cooperate with Fusion musicians, a path common to many of his European contemporaries. This led to his participation in the recording of the seminal Jazz-Rock opera "Escalator Over The HillFind albums with this title" by Carla BleyFind albums by this artist as well as the recording of the little known album for the legendary German MPSFind albums on this label label called "Katcharpari RavaFind albums with this title", where he played vis-à-vis Abercrombie and which, when first heard by ECM owner Manfred EicherFind albums by this artist, led to inviting them both to record for ECM in the first place. What led Enrico Rava to take part in the recording of the obscure album you are holding in your hand, which took place in December of 1975 in Buenos Aires, the Capital of Argentina, you ask? Well it turns out Rava had some family in Buenos Aires, which he was visiting at the time and which is hardly surprising considering the fact that most of Argentina´s inhabitants are descendants of European ethnic groups, with more than 55% of them having Italian origins. Therefore being Italian and having family in Argentina is a highly probable outcome. Quite accidently, Rava already visited Buenos Aires almost a decade earlier, when playing there with the Steve Lacy quartet. A performance by that quartet recorded in Buenos Aires in November of 1966 was released as the album "The Forest And The ZooFind albums with this title" on the ESPFind albums on this label label. The rest of the story, however, is pure Jazz "improvisation". Upon learning that Rava is in town, local Jazz aficionados swiftly decided to size the day and hook him up with local musician and record an album. It is difficult to know today if Rava and the Argentineans realized that he was already under ECM contract and they needed to ask Eicher to give them permission to make this recording, which was highly unlikely he would. But considering South American attitude towards rules and regulations nobody probably cared too much about it, which of course in retrospect should make us thankful. The team selected to accompany Rava, named as "Aga Taura ConfabFind albums by this artist", included three Argentinean Jazz musicians: pianist Fernando GelbardFind albums by this artist, bassist Adalberto CevascoFind albums by this artist and drummer Nestor AstaritaFind albums by this artist and an Argentinean Folk percussionist Farias GómezFind albums by this artist, who also contributed vocalese parts. Although less experienced and with no international exposure at the time, they stood their ground formidably and performed alongside Rava without any inferiority complex. Of the five tunes on the album, four are performed by the quintet, where Gelbard plays the Fender Rhodes electric piano, and one is a duet consisting of Rava and Gelbard, who plays acoustic piano. Not surprisingly Rava´s performances are the absolute pinnacle of the session, encompassing different styles and approaches moving between melodic lyricism and Free Form explorations. He knowingly pays tribute to his idols: Miles Davis and Chet Baker, but avoids copying any explicit phrasing and crafts his distinctly own voice. The spontaneous recording session lasted for a few hours, just long enough to capture five tracks totaling in about forty two minutes of music. The sound quality of the recording turned out to be better than one might expect, with clear, crispy tone and excellent separation, which suited the music perfectly. The music includes a Rava original, which appears only on this album, a standard, a composition by the Brazilian composer João DonatoFind albums by this artist, a composition by Argentinean saxophonist / composer Horacio BorraroFind albums by this artist and finally a composition by the quintet´s percussionist Farias Gómez – a mixed bag which offers a strong World Music influence and plenty of opportunities for the musicians to show their chops. In retrospect this is definitely a piece of music that deserves to be revisited, not only for nostalgic reasons, but primarily as a historical document of the period, as well as proof of the fact that music knows no boundaries. Due to its rarity the original LP release is a highly sought after collectors item to Jazz aficionados all over the world, not only connoisseurs of Enrico Rava, but also enthusiasts of early Jazz-World Fusion. Side Note The above are my liner notes included on this album's artwork. I am honored when asked by the Artists to write liner notes for their albums, always hoping that my words reflect the true spirit of the music. This is also a symbol of our mutual respect and friendship developed over the years. The same is also true when Record Labels ask me to write liner notes for their releases, mostly in the case of reissues of archival albums, which is a symbol of their appreciation of my knowledge and historical perspective and my recognition of their dedication to the preservation of the history of recorded music and the effort to keep human Culture and Aesthetics alive.

Updated: 22/05/2020Posted: 22/05/2020

CD 1 Mini-Sleeve Remastered Recommend To A Friend

GATO BARBIERI ~ THE THIRD WORLD SONY 25758 (Barcode: 743212575828) ~ ARGENTINA ~ Jazz-World Fusion Recorded: 1969 Released: 2009 This is an absolutely stunning early album by Argentinean Jazz saxophonist / composer Gato BarbieriFind albums by this artist. Barbieri left his homeland in 1962, settling first in Europe, where he worked with local as well as American musicians, who resided in Europe due to a much more open and receptive cultural climate there. Barbieri also worked closely with movie directors composing scores for several films. In 1968 he recorded finally his first album as a leader, called "In Search Of The MysteryFind albums with this title", released by the legendary ESPFind albums on this label label in NY. A year later he recorded this album, which was released on no less legendary Flying DutchmanFind albums on this label label, founded and initially owned by the great producer Bob ThieleFind albums by this artist, which released some of the most impressive, interesting and revolutionary Jazz music in the late 1960s and early 1970s by artists from many corners of the world, who could not find a label to release their music on. The lineup if extremely impressive and includes bassist Charlie HadenFind albums by this artist, pianist Lonnie Liston SmithFind albums by this artist, drummer Beaver HarrisFind albums by this artist, trombonist Roswell RuddFind albums by this artist and percussionist Richard LandrumFind albums by this artist. The music is one of the earliest examples of World Music influenced Jazz, with Barbieri incorporating his unique amalgam of South American melody lines and rhythmic approach, all originating from his native Argentina (yes, the Tango), Brazil and other sources. All these elements are presented in a Free Jazz framework, where collective improvisation is the dominant means of expression. Barbieri´s brilliant playing is the focal point of course, with his extended surges of tenor saxophone fluctuating with seemingly endless energy and passion. Obviously strongly influenced by John Coltrane, Barbieri produces a "total" wall of sound, which requires the listener to open up completely and absorb the influx of many parallel sources of sound and create his own impressions. Of course this all makes perfect sense, once properly grasped and turns out to be truly prophetic music. Barbieri´s later recordings would become somewhat less intensive and he would return to melody as well, but his brilliant playing would always be a beacon of total dedication and an example of masterly and brilliantly executed music. Absolutely stunning stuff!

CD 1 Mini-Sleeve Remastered Recommend To A Friend

GARY BURTON ~ LOFTY FAKE ANAGRAM / A GENUINE TONG FUNERAL BGO 723 (Barcode: 5017261207234) ~ USA ~ Jazz Recorded: 1967 Released: 2006 Vibraphonist / composer Gary BurtonFind albums by this artist is one of greatest American Jazz musicians, with a long and outstanding career and a massive body of work. He is also one of relatively few American Jazz artists, who can be considered as true originals, embracing the Jazz tradition but at the same time constantly expanding the horizons of the music and exploring the terra incognita of the genre. This album takes us back to the early days of Burton’s musical path, when he was leading probably the most forward-thinking Jazz quartet of the day. Together with guitarist extraordinaire Larry CoryellFind albums by this artist, bassist Steve SwallowFind albums by this artist and drummer Bob MosesFind albums by this artist, the quartet ventured into some of the earliest examples of Jazz-Rock Fusion, years ahead of their contemporaries. The two original LPs, although both recorded in 1967, are quite different from each other. On Lofty Fake AnagramFind albums with this title the quartet explores mostly a series of original tunes by Burton and Swallow, with finesse and elegance, but also with fire and passion. On A Genuine Tong FuneralFind albums with this title Burton combines forces with another great and unorthodox American Jazz representative, pianist / composer Carla BleyFind albums by this artist. The music is her first full-scale Jazz composition for a band, which she calls a “Dark Opera Without Words”. The “without word” part was to bee soon remedied on her next spectacular project, the first true modern Jazz opera Escalator Over The HillFind albums with this title, which included a libretto by Paul HainesFind albums by this artist. For the recording of this music the quartet was expanded to a small orchestra with Carla Bley on piano, Steve LacyFind albums by this artist and the brilliant Argentinean player Gato BarbieriFind albums by this artist on saxophone, Michael MantlerFind albums by this artist (Carla’s close partner) on trumpet, Jimmy KnepperFind albums by this artist on trombone and Howard JohnsonFind albums by this artist on tuba. The music is of course completely unique and unprecedented, with Bley’s masterly usage of orchestration to create moods and sonic vistas, all of it years ahead of its time. Together these two recordings provide a glimpse at the period when American Jazz was still bubbling with creativity and excitement. Brilliant and essential stuff!

CD 2 Slipcase Remastered Essential Recommend To A Friend

FRANCO D`ANDREA ~ LIVE IN PERUGIA PENTAFLOWERS 041 ~ ITALY ~ Jazz Recorded: 1994 Released: 1995 This is a live solo piano album by Italian pianist / composer Franco D`AndreaFind albums by this artist. The album presents six tracks, two of which are medleys of two tunes, so altogether there are eight original tunes by D`Andrea. D`Andrea is one of Italy’s most famous Jazz musicians and his extensive career spans almost seven decades (he is 82 years old at the time of writing). He played with many American and European Jazz musicians over the years and his recordings span about two hundred albums. He played with Gato BarbieriFind albums by this artist when the Argentine saxophonist resided in Italy, and took part in the recording of the legendary soundtrack of “Last Tango In ParisFind albums with this title” (1972). He was also a member of the Italian Progressive Rock band PerigeoFind albums by this artist during the 1970s with saxophonist Claudio FasoliFind albums by this artist and bassist Giovanni TommasoFind albums by this artist, both of whom later also had successful careers in Jazz music. This album presents him as a mature Jazz virtuoso, with a highly personal style and modern approach, which has few equals on the European scene. The music flows brilliantly from one tune to another, with a hyper-energetic tension and intensity, leaving the listens practically breathless. Overall, this is a spectacular display of the great talent and virtuosic technical ability by one of the most fascinating European pianists of all time and one of my personal favorites. I have not heard this album since it was initially released almost thirty years ago, and it reminds to be strikingly original, and as such wholeheartedly recommended, although probably not easy to find these days.

Updated: 26/07/2023Posted: 26/07/2023

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend

WLODZIMIERZ NAHORNY ~ ZAPACH PSIEJ SIERSCI GAD 019 (Barcode: 5901549197242) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 1980 Released: 2014 This album presents the music by Polish Jazz saxophonist / pianist / composer / arranger Wlodzimierz NahornyFind albums by this artist, one of the Godfathers of modern Polish Jazz, which served as the soundtrack of the movie "Zapach Psiej Siersci" ("The Smell Of Dog´s Fur"), which was based on a novel by Polish writer Wojciech ZukrowskiFind albums by this artist. The movie was directed by Jan BatoryFind albums by this artist, who died in August 1981 shortly after the film was completed and before it was belatedly released for screening in 1982, due to the Martial Law imposed in Poland in December 1981. The original soundtrack includes thirteen, mostly short pieces of music, except for two longer and extended themes. Additionally there are two source music pieces and seven bonus tracks, previously unheard. All the music was composed, arranged and orchestrated by Nahorny and was performed by the Polish Radio OrchestraFind albums by this artist, conducted by the composer, which included some of the best Polish Jazz players, but who remain unnamed. Nahorny most probably plays the keyboards, although that is again not specifically mentioned in the liner notes. The music is all masterly composed and arranged, showing Nahorny´s versatility and sensitivity, which was always his trademark. On one hand Nahorny is able to write romantic and beautifully lyrical melodies and on the other his swinging pieces are always full of finesse and sparkling with incredible feel for the Jazz idiom. As a result the soundtrack fits ideally to the movie´s plot, which combines romance and thriller characteristics. In contrast to most soundtrack albums, which usually have little to offer as a standalone products, this music holds its ground superbly as an interesting collection of excellently performed musical themes, even when separated from the movie. Additionally it also withstands the tides of time without loosing any of its validity, similarly to the best soundtracks of similar category, like the archetypal "Last Tango In ParisFind albums with this title" by Gato BarbieriFind albums by this artist. Remastered from the original master tapes the album sounds spectacularly and is another great tribute to the legacy of Wlodzimierz Nahorny brought to us by GADFind albums on this label Records, for which we are, as usual, grateful.

CD 1 Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend