Record Reviews

GROPPER / GRAUPE / LILLINGER ~ RIOT WHYPLAYJAZZ 030 (Barcode: 4250459990902) ~ GERMANY ~ Avant-Garde Jazz Recorded: 2015 Released: 2016 This is the sixth album by the German Avant-Garde trio, which exists since 2003, formerly known as Hyperactive KidFind albums by this artist, which consists of saxophonist Philipp GropperFind albums by this artist, guitarist Ronny GraupeFind albums by this artist and drummer Christian LillingerFind albums by this artist. The album presents eleven original pieces, four each by Gropper and Graupe and three by Lillinger. The trio decided to drop the Hyperactive Kid moniker and open a new chapter of their creative path, with an immediate result of going even further away from the conventional musical world into extreme Avant-Garde, which completely beats classification. One can hardly hear any melody, cohesive continuum or structural development in the trio´s music, only a sequence of sounds produced by the musicians, who interact which each other at times but soon seem to venture into individual explorations. The thin line between freedom and havoc can be defined here individually by every listener, as the music obviously refuses to set any boundaries itself. It is impossible to express any judgmental statement about such music simply for the luck of conventional criteria, which could be applied. Therefore the only reference should remain on the emotional level, basically concerning the fact if this music touches the listener at all, and if so, how profoundly. As a result my opinion in this case is truly irrelevant to other listeners, as everyone will be facing it completely differently on their own. One can only admire the consistence and the artistic courage displayed by these three still quite young musicians, who refuse to give up their individuality and pursue a path less traveled. This album is the thirtieth release on the extraordinary independent German WhyPlayJazzFind albums on this label label, run and owned by Roland SchulzFind albums by this artist, which sets an example of great taste and artistic courage since 2005. It is thanks to people like Schulz that European Jazz still manages to discover new territory day after day. Hats off!

Updated: 12/04/2019Posted: 19/09/2016

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ROLF KUHN UNIT ~ STEREO MPS 4029759102908 (Barcode: 4029759102908) ~ GERMANY ~ Avant-Garde Jazz Recorded: 2015 Released: 2015 This is a sensational album by veteran German clarinetist / composer Rolf KuhnFind albums by this artist and his quartet, which also includes guitarist Ronny GraupeFind albums by this artist, bassist Johannes FinkFind albums by this artist and drummer Christian LillingerFind albums by this artist. Together they perform ten pieces, six of which were composed by Kuhn, two by Graupe, one by Fink and one by Gordon JenkinsFind albums by this artist. The album´s liner notes are completely uninformative about all the relevant details, like who plays what, who composed what and when the music was record, which is a gross negligence. At least it states that the album was engineered by the legendary Walter QuintusFind albums by this artist, and it sounds accordingly amazing. Aged 85 at the time this music was recorded, Kuhn seems to be younger and more vigorous musically then all his contemporaries, and to be honest most other musicians way younger then him. This quartet incorporates two young Berlin based musicians, who are considered to be representatives of the "now" German Jazz scene, mostly playing extreme contemporary Avant-Garde (Graupe and Lillinger were members of Hyperactive KidFind albums by this artist now known as Gropper / Graupe / LillingerFind albums by this artist trio). Fink is a representative of the mid-generation and also mostly associated with Free Jazz. The sheer audacity to play along these musicians, many decades younger than him, and feel completely integrated with them makes Kuhn an absolute marvel. The music is completely up to date, amalgamating Free Jazz, some electronics, Avant-Garde and Jazz tradition. This is probably the most experimental album Kuhn ever recorded, even though he often flirted with Free Jazz during his extensive career. His presence influences Graupe and Lillinger to actually play melody and rhythm, which they almost never do in their organic environment. This means that although the music is very adventurous, it is completely coherent and accessible even to listeners who have little experience with music of this kind earlier on. More experienced listeners will discover a whole new universe of music herein, with layer upon layer of complexity and ingenuity. The individual statements and the interplay between the quartet members are among the most marvelous musical moments of contemporary European Jazz, which has no parallels. This music is beyond time and space and takes the listener on a voyage of endless possibilities. The life and work of Rolf Kuhn are a wonderful example of the limitless power of talent and mind over obstacles and limitations. His illustrious recorded legacy is an endless source of sublime musical pleasures and this album is simply the jewel in the crown, the cherry on top, the top of the heap… Thank you Rolf for so many years of musical joys; Hats off and may you live forever!

Updated: 12/04/2019Posted: 23/09/2016

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