Record Reviews

DON CHERRY / KRZYSZTOF PENDERECKI ~ ACTIONS INTUITION 3606 (Barcode: 750447360624) ~ USA ~ Free Jazz / Improvised Music Recorded: 1971 Released: 2001 This is a reissue / remaster of one of the most iconic Jazz / Improvised Music recordings ever, recorded live during the 1971 Donaueshingen New Music Festival in 1971. It presents the American trumpeter / composer Don CherryFind albums by this artist accompanied by a large international orchestra, called The New Eternal Rhythm OrchestraFind albums by this artist, comprised of the crème de la crème of European Jazz musicians - trumpeters: Manfred SchoofFind albums by this artist (Germany), Kenny WheelerFind albums by this artist (UK), Tomasz StankoFind albums by this artist (Poland), guitarist Terje RypdalFind albums by this artist (Norway), trombonists: Paul RutherfordFind albums by this artist (UK), Albert MangelsdorffFind albums by this artist (Germany), saxophonists: Gerd DudekFind albums by this artist (Germany), Peter BrotzmannFind albums by this artist (Germany), Willem BreukerFind albums by this artist (Holland), flautist Gunter HampelFind albums by this artist (Germany), keyboardist Fred van HoveFind albums by this artist (Holland), bassists: Buschi NiebergallFind albums by this artist (Germany), Peter WarrenFind albums by this artist (US) and drummer Han BennikFind albums by this artist (Holland). The central piece of music performed here was composed and conducted by Polish Classical composer Krzysztof PendereckiFind albums by this artist. The album includes extensive bilingual liner notes, which describe the circumstances of the recording and include an interview with Penderecki. The project was a brainchild of my Friend and Mentor Joachim BerendtFind albums by this artist, who was in charge of the Jazz section of the Donaueschingen New Music Festival at the time and presented some of most challenging and groundbreaking music of the era. Penderecki was a frequent guest at the festival and following a concert of the Globe Unity OrchestraFind albums by this artist during the 1967 season of the concerts, decided to write a piece for a Free Jazz ensemble, which came into fruition four years later. The music is of course as brilliant as one might expect and sounds still completely innovative and fresh as it did at the time of the performance, losing nothing of its splendor over time. I discussed this recording with Maestro Penderecki during my last meeting with him before his passing, and he remembered the occasion very well. He respected Berendt for his tremendous knowledge and work towards expanding the Jazz genre’s recognition, as well as for his help to Polish musicians / composers during the Socialist era. We both mourned Berendt’s demise. Overall, this is a superb piece of music, which although composed, is performed by an orchestra of Improvising Musicians, which makes it pretty unique, especially since it was recorded well over half a Century ago. If you are able to find a copy, this is a must have in every serious Jazz records collection.

Updated: 02/09/2025Posted: 02/09/2025

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SATOKO FUJII ORCHESTRA BERLIN ~ ICHIGO ICHIE LIBRA 212-037 (Barcode: 4562169330375) ~ JAPAN ~ Jazz Recorded: 2014 Released: 2015 Japanese pianist / composer / bandleader Satoko FujiiFind albums by this artist is one of the most prolific and active international Jazz icons, leading several versions of an Orchestra, located in several cities around the globe in addition to several small ensembles. This album is a recording by the Orchestra BerlinFind albums by this artist, a twelve piece band that comprises mostly of German musicians, but also includes Fujii and her husband, trumpeter Natsuki TamuraFind albums by this artist, French drummer Peter OrinsFind albums by this artist and Polish saxophonist Paulina OwczarekFind albums by this artist. It presents the four parts suite that gives the album its title and one additional piece, all composed by Fujii. The music of Fujii is always full of innovation and groundbreaking steps towards expanding the boundaries of Jazz music, and this everlasting process of search is her trademark. But she also composes great melodic vistas, which in an orchestral environment like this one reach a climatic climax. The individual solo performances by the orchestra members lead to full orchestral passages, which define the overall structure of the music. Fujii carefully seeks out some of the most daring Jazz performers to become members of her various teams, and the level of the individual statements on this album is a great illustration of such a collection of incredible talents. The music is in many respects a continuation of the great European Jazz Orchestras of the late 1960s, starting with the British outfits led by Mike WestbrookFind albums by this artist and continental ensembles like Globe Unity OrchestraFind albums by this artist, brought up to date with contemporary compositional language. Fujii manages to push the orchestral idiom to its limits time after time, and this album is no different. Of course every true Jazz fan knows, either if he admits it or not, that there is nothing remotely as powerful aesthetically and emotionally as a full orchestra sound, and listening to this album clearly points that out. The wonderful tension created between the solos, duets and other chamber units formed within the orchestra and the entire band playing together is the secret weapon of this music and every moment of it is absolutely priceless. Of course this is by far not an easy musical experience, and a trained ear and open-mindedness should definitely be assumed by the potential listener. The reward is of course proportional to the effort needed to grasp the intricacy and internal beauty of this music. Definitely highly recommended!

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SATOKO FUJII ORCHESTRA BERLIN ~ NINETY-NINE YEARS LIBRA 211-047 (Barcode: 4562169330474) ~ JAPAN ~ Avant-Garde Jazz Recorded: 2017 Released: 2018 This is an album by Japanese pianist / composer / bandleader Satoko FujiiFind albums by this artist, one of the most prominent representatives of the contemporary Avant-Garde Jazz activists. The album was recorded with an eleven piece Orchestra Berlin, one of Fujii´s permanent ensembles, which features mostly German musicians, but includes also her Japanese husband, trumpeter Natsuki TamuraFind albums by this artist, French drummer Peter OrinsFind albums by this artist and Polish saxophonist Paulina OwczarekFind albums by this artist. The album presents five extended original orchestral compositions, all by Fujii and is one of the twelve albums Fujii released in 2018 (one every month) to celebrate her 60th Birthday. Her cumulating discography since 1991 includes well over a hundred albums. The music is everything contemporary Avant-Garde Big Band has to offer: composed parts expanded into lengthy improvised passages, several sub-ensembles constantly developing within the frame of the Big Band (duos, trios, etc.) sublime individual soloing and group improvisations and much more. Fujii skillfully uses the entire arsenal at her disposal to continue the splendid tradition of European Avant-Garde Big Bands, which goes several decades into the past, initiated by the British Big Bands led by Barry GuyFind albums by this artist, Mike WestbrookFind albums by this artist and others and later European parallels like Globe Unity OrchestraFind albums by this artist and others. Since contemporary activity in this particular area is rather limited today, Fujii´s recordings are even more important and significant. Of course Avant-Garde Jazz never was music for the masses, and this intellectually challenging offering is of interest to a sadly miniscule group of potential listeners, who are able to appreciate and enjoy it. The faithful aficionados will find this music absolutely stunning of course, which is hardly surprising. Wholeheartedly recommended to the connoisseurs of the genre!

Updated: 12/04/2019Posted: 19/03/2019

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