Record Reviews

WOLFGANG DAUNER ~ MUSIC ZOUNDS (MOST PERFECT SOUND EDITION) MPS 9808190 ~ GERMANY ~ Jazz Recorded: 1970 German pianist / composer Wolfgang DaunerFind albums by this artist is one the most important icons of the European jazz scene. Active since the early 1960’s he has been in the epicenter of the European free jazz since the mid-1960’s and then in the mid-1970’s he also expanded his activities to the jazz-rock scene by forming (with other excellent European jazz musicians) the United Jazz + Rock EnsembleFind albums by this artist. In the last two decades he concentrates on writing film music. The piano trio, which is playing on this 1970 album, existed for several years prior to this recording, playing mostly free oriented music. Therefore, upon its release Dauner’s followers were completely taken by surprised by the music, which is a classic swinging jazz, almost a parody of swing if you wish. Obviously Dauner wanted to have a joyful, amusing look at the “middle of the road” jazz, which he does lovingly of course. Although at the first impression this music might sound as something done by George ShearingFind albums by this artist, in fact it is quite experimental and sophisticated. On top of the metronome swinging rhythm, Dauner and his phenomenal bassist Eberhard WeberFind albums by this artist perform some really hair-rising musical acrobatics. Weber wrote most of the material for this album, in addition to a couple of standards and one tune by his friend, the French violinist Jean-Luc PontyFind albums by this artist. When asked at the time if this album wouldn’t be in contradiction to his Avant-Garde principles, he answered: “No, I’m not narrow-minded, and I never was. I don’t care what people say about me. The main thing is that the music is good and we all dig it.” I must say I absolutely concur to that statement. This is surely one of the most “good fun” jazz albums ever recorded. Side Note The legendary German MPSFind albums on this label (Musik Produktion Schwarzwald) label, founded by Hans Georg Brunner-SchwerFind albums by this artist (HGBS) in 1963, first as SABAFind albums on this label Records and later on from 1968 as MPS Records, was the most important independent European record label, which had an enormous contribution to the development of European Jazz. For many years MPS cooperated with the legendary German producer / author Joachim BerendtFind albums by this artist, my Friend and Mentor, whose visionary approach and open-mindedness brought the crème de la crème of the Jazz (in the broadest meaning of the word) musicians from all over the world to the label. Between 1963 and 1983 MPS produced about five hundred albums, many of which are among the most important Jazz recordings on this planet. In 1983 the MPS catalog was sold to UniversalFind albums on this label, which sadly resulted in all those artistic treasures to almost disappear from the face of the earth – a situation not only tragic but culturally criminal. Universal reissued a part of the MPS albums (probably 128 titles) on CD between 1999 and 2011 under the "Most Perfect Sound Edition" moniker. Since 2008 the German Promising MusicFind albums on this label label released some of the MPS recordings, but at a very slow pace. In 2014 the German company Edel AG bought the MPS catalogue from Universal and released a series of 25 MPS albums on CD with a new slipcase graphic design, which brought all those excellent albums back to life. In 2015 Edel AG started to record and release new albums under the MPS moniker. In 2016 Edel AG released a series of 10 classic MPS albums on CD, which were beautifully remastered and re-packaged, presenting the original artwork and liner notes, as well as new liner notes and photographs. An obvious labor of love, these reissues are what the MPS catalogue truly deserves. This project was continued in 2017 with another series of 10 classic MPS albums released on CD. In later years some new reissues were released sporadically. Over the years many SABA / MPS albums were reissued in Japan, which is often the only available source for these albums today, but that is a story in itself.

Updated: 12/04/2019Posted:

CD 1 Digipak Oversampling Remastered Recommend To A Friend

GEORGE SHEARING ~ LIGHT, AIRY & SWINGING MPS 4029759097334 (Barcode: 4029759097334) ~ USA ~ Smooth Jazz Recorded: 1973 Released: 2014 This is a reissue of a little known album by American (born in London) Jazz pianist / composer George ShearingFind albums by this artist, recorded in a classic piano trio setting with bassist Andy SimpkinsFind albums by this artist and drummer Stix HooperFind albums by this artist (of The CrusadersFind albums by this artist fame). Together they perform eight pieces, all of which are standards. The music is all within the mainstream Jazz idiom with clear melodic lines and some Classical Music hints, which at the time was often called "cocktail music" and today would have been probably classified as Smooth Jazz. Apart from Shearing´s skills as a pianist, the music was intended mostly as entertainment and should be evaluated exactly for what it was. There is no doubt that Shearing popularized Jazz among people who usually would not listen to a Jazz recording and as such he made his positive contribution to the genre. His earlier quintet recordings were slightly more ambitious. Side Note The legendary German MPSFind albums on this label (Musik Produktion Schwarzwald) label, founded by Hans Georg Brunner-SchwerFind albums by this artist (HGBS) in 1963, first as SABAFind albums on this label Records and later on from 1968 as MPS Records, was the most important independent European record label, which had an enormous contribution to the development of European Jazz. For many years MPS cooperated with the legendary German producer / author Joachim BerendtFind albums by this artist, my Friend and Mentor, whose visionary approach and open-mindedness brought the crème de la crème of the Jazz (in the broadest meaning of the word) musicians from all over the world to the label. Between 1963 and 1983 MPS produced about five hundred albums, many of which are among the most important Jazz recordings on this planet. In 1983 the MPS catalog was sold to UniversalFind albums on this label, which sadly resulted in all those artistic treasures to almost disappear from the face of the earth – a situation not only tragic but culturally criminal. Universal reissued a part of the MPS albums (probably 128 titles) on CD between 1999 and 2011 under the "Most Perfect Sound Edition" moniker. Since 2008 the German Promising MusicFind albums on this label label released some of the MPS recordings, but at a very slow pace. In 2014 the German company Edel AG bought the MPS catalogue from Universal and released a series of 25 MPS albums on CD with a new slipcase graphic design, which brought all those excellent albums back to life. In 2015 Edel AG started to record and release new albums under the MPS moniker. In 2016 Edel AG released a series of 10 classic MPS albums on CD, which were beautifully remastered and re-packaged, presenting the original artwork and liner notes, as well as new liner notes and photographs. An obvious labor of love, these reissues are what the MPS catalogue truly deserves. This project was continued in 2017 with another series of 10 classic MPS albums released on CD. In later years some new reissues were released sporadically. Over the years many SABA / MPS albums were reissued in Japan, which is often the only available source for these albums today, but that is a story in itself.

Updated: 27/05/2018Posted: 11/10/2016

CD 1 Slipcase Remastered Recommend To A Friend

ROBERTO ZANETTI ~ BUD`S POWER TRJ 106 (Barcode: 8146520231066) ~ ITALY ~ Jazz Recorded: 2023 Released: 2023 This is an album by Italian Jazz pianist / composer Roberto ZanettiFind albums by this artist, recorded in a quartet setting with saxophonist Valerio PontrandolfoFind albums by this artist, bassist Martino De FranceschiFind albums by this artist and drummer Oreste SoldanoFind albums by this artist. Cellist Matteo ZanettiFind albums by this artist and speaker Nicolo SordoFind albums by this artist guest on the opening and closing tracks. The album presents thirteen tracks, ten of which were composed by the great American pianist / composer Bud PowellFind albums by this artist, one of the Godfathers of Bebop, to whom, as the title suggests, the album is dedicated. One track is by is a standard by the British pianist / composer George ShearingFind albums by this artist and the a.m. opening and closing tracks are by Roberto Zanetti. The music is a delightful reminder of the great compositions by Powell, performed elegantly and flawlessly by the quartet, with obvious affection and respect to the subject matter. It is all mainstream Jazz of course, which does not try to reinvent anything, but certainly is a loving tribute to a great composer, who deserves to be remembered, and offers a pleasant listening experience, accessible to a wide Jazz listening audience. Overall, this is a classic quartet Jazz recording, which offers elegant treatments of the music by the great Bud Powell, which is always worth being listening to, especially when one mainstream Jazz is not on one’s daily menu. Zanetti, as usual, delivers what he does best – playing wonderfully melodic music, which makes one smile. Thanks Roberto!

Updated: 10/06/2023Posted: 10/06/2023

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend