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  | KRZYSZTOF KOMEDA ~ ASTIGMATIC (POLISH JAZZ VOL.05)
POWER BROS 00163 (Barcode: 5906295856030) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz
Recorded: 1965 Released: 1998
This music, encapsulated for eternity in a piece of plastic, is one of the great milestones of human Culture, an ultra-rare eruption of human genius. Recorded by a quintet led by Polish pianist / composer Krzysztof KomedaFind albums by this artist, the legendary Godfather of Polish Jazz, this is definitely the most important piece of music recorded in Eastern Europe, which changed the face of Culture far beyond what most people realize. Universally accepted as a model and artistic / aesthetic climax by generations of Jazz musicians in Komeda´s native Poland and far beyond the country borders, this modern Jazz recording influenced innumerable minds and prompted endless artistic processes. The album includes just three pieces of music: the title track; "Kattorna", which was a theme in the soundtrack of a movie by the Danish director Henning CarlsenFind albums by this artist; and "Svantetic", a tune dedicated to the Swedish poet Svante ForsterFind albums by this artist, Komeda´s friend. The quintet included trumpeter Tomasz StankoFind albums by this artist, saxophonist Zbigniew NamyslowskiFind albums by this artist, German bassist Gunter LenzFind albums by this artist and Swedish drummer Rune CarlssonFind albums by this artist. Playing in every possible grouping, from solo to a full quintet, these brilliant and inspired musicians manage to achieve a whole, which is so much more than a sum of its parts. The result goes way beyond soloing, improvising, interplaying and exchanging ideas; it is a sort of group creation, which builds upon the basic structures, which are the mesmerizing Komeda´s melodies and soaring infinitely towards a musical heaven. There is everything here: melody, harmony, freedom and structure, rhythm and space, all simultaneously represented without conflicting and fighting for supremacy. Such harmonious music-making is indeed very rare and therefore priceless. One might wonder how this wonderful music happened in Poland of all places. Well the reasons for this are numerous and complex, but of course genius knows no geographical limitations and catalyzed by the fertile intellectual background of the 1960s Poland, struggling with Socialist regime and longing for Freedom, Jazz became an escape route, which in this case found its true vocation. Of course the fact that Stanko and Namyslowski were (and thank God still are) exceptionally gifted musicians helped to materialize the potential of Komeda´s music. One might as well look into Komeda´s fascination (and adoration) of the music and life of John ColtraneFind albums by this artist, who served as a beacon and a model in the composer´s path to inner enlightenment. And yet Komeda did not succumb to Coltrane´s (or indeed the entire American Free Jazz movement) ideas blindly and unconditionally, as did many of his peers. He decided to incorporate the struggle for Freedom, which was a central scheme in Coltrane´s philosophy (both musical and personal) with his deep European cultural roots and heritage, building his very personal bridge between Cultures. This is why his music works so well, regardless if it´s a concert played in a Jazz club or a movie soundtrack. It is simply transcending stylistic or circumstantial limitations, as any higher level of Art is able to do. The fact that this music was created almost fifty years ago is a sad reminder of how little progress (if any) we managed to achieve since. In face of this fact we should cherish the great achievements of our Culture and keep them close to our hearts. This is definitely one of those great achievements, so let´s treat it accordingly. Absolutely essential!
Enhanced CD with CD-ROM contents!
| | | CD 1 Remastered Essential Recommend To A Friend |
  | KRZYSZTOF KOMEDA ~ ASTIGMATIC (POLISH JAZZ VOL.05)
MUZA 905 ~ POLAND ~ Jazz
Recorded: 1965 Released: 2004
This music, encapsulated for eternity in a piece of plastic, is one of the great milestones of human Culture, an ultra-rare eruption of human genius. Recorded by a quintet led by Polish pianist / composer Krzysztof KomedaFind albums by this artist, the legendary Godfather of Polish Jazz, this is definitely the most important piece of music recorded in Eastern Europe, which changed the face of Culture far beyond what most people realize. Universally accepted as a model and artistic / aesthetic climax by generations of Jazz musicians in Komeda´s native Poland and far beyond the country borders, this modern Jazz recording influenced innumerable minds and prompted endless artistic processes. The album includes just three pieces of music: the title track; "Kattorna", which was a theme in the soundtrack of a movie by the Danish director Henning CarlsenFind albums by this artist; and "Svantetic", a tune dedicated to the Swedish poet Svante ForsterFind albums by this artist, Komeda´s friend. The quintet included trumpeter Tomasz StankoFind albums by this artist, saxophonist Zbigniew NamyslowskiFind albums by this artist, German bassist Gunter LenzFind albums by this artist and Swedish drummer Rune CarlssonFind albums by this artist. Playing in every possible grouping, from solo to a full quintet, these brilliant and inspired musicians manage to achieve a whole, which is so much more than a sum of its parts. The result goes way beyond soloing, improvising, interplaying and exchanging ideas; it is a sort of group creation, which builds upon the basic structures, which are the mesmerizing Komeda´s melodies and soaring infinitely towards a musical heaven. There is everything here: melody, harmony, freedom and structure, rhythm and space, all simultaneously represented without conflicting and fighting for supremacy. Such harmonious music-making is indeed very rare and therefore priceless. One might wonder how this wonderful music happened in Poland of all places. Well the reasons for this are numerous and complex, but of course genius knows no geographical limitations and catalyzed by the fertile intellectual background of the 1960s Poland, struggling with Socialist regime and longing for Freedom, Jazz became an escape route, which in this case found its true vocation. Of course the fact that Stanko and Namyslowski were (and thank God still are) exceptionally gifted musicians helped to materialize the potential of Komeda´s music. One might as well look into Komeda´s fascination (and adoration) of the music and life of John ColtraneFind albums by this artist, who served as a beacon and a model in the composer´s path to inner enlightenment. And yet Komeda did not succumb to Coltrane´s (or indeed the entire American Free Jazz movement) ideas blindly and unconditionally, as did many of his peers. He decided to incorporate the struggle for Freedom, which was a central scheme in Coltrane´s philosophy (both musical and personal) with his deep European cultural roots and heritage, building his very personal bridge between Cultures. This is why his music works so well, regardless if it´s a concert played in a Jazz club or a movie soundtrack. It is simply transcending stylistic or circumstantial limitations, as any higher level of Art is able to do. The fact that this music was created almost fifty years ago is a sad reminder of how little progress (if any) we managed to achieve since. In face of this fact we should cherish the great achievements of our Culture and keep them close to our hearts. This is definitely one of those great achievements, so let´s treat it accordingly. Absolutely essential!
| | | CD 1 Digipak Oversampling Remastered Essential Recommend To A Friend |
  | VOLKER KRIEGEL ~ WITH A LITTLE HELP FROM MY FRIENDS
ART OF GROOVE 80192 (Barcode: 885513801920) ~ GERMANY ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion
Recorded: 1968 Released: 2013
This is a reissue of the debut album by the German Jazz / Fusion guitar virtuoso / composer Volker KriegelFind albums by this artist. The original album featured Kriegel in a trio setting with bassist Peter TrunkFind albums by this artist and Dutch drummer Cees SeeFind albums by this artist on side A of the LP, and in a quartet setting with Brazilian born resident in Germany vibraphonist Claudio SzenkarFind albums by this artist, bassist Gunter LenzFind albums by this artist and drummer Peter BaumeisterFind albums by this artist on side B of the LP. The original album was expanded for this reissue with the addition of seven live tracks recorded at the same period as the studio recording, featuring additional musicians active on the German scene at the time, like American (living in Europe) clarinetist Tony ScottFind albums by this artist, saxophonist Gustl MayerFind albums by this artist, drummer Ralf HubnerFind albums by this artist and a few others. The original album includes four original compositions by Kriegel, a couple of Beatles songs arrangements and one traditional piece.
Kriegel emerges as an extraordinary guitar player, who despite his young age presents a refined stylistic approach well beyond the ordinary. Although still very much rooted in the Jazz tradition, Kriegel moves away from the mainstream rigidity and pushes into a new territory, pioneering the emerging Jazz-Rock Fusion idiom, which for him is not yet completely crystallized at the time, but already shows highly advanced forward thinking about harmony and rhythmic patterns. As future was about to reveal, these early ideas were about to develop rapidly and Kriegel was about to create some of the most noteworthy European Jazz / Fusion moments in the years to follow.
Already at this early stage Kriegel shows his affinity towards the vibraphone, which would become a faithful partner to his guitar throughout his career. The clearly defined sound of the vibraphone is undoubtedly a perfect partner to the precise sounds Kriegel produces on his guitar, using no sound effects or vibrato, with every note being absolutely crystal clear and perfectly articulated. The guitar / vibraphone collaborations Kriegel recorded later on were an integral part of his unique sound, which still remains unmatched decades later.
The original compositions show Kriegel´s talent as a composer, which was no less spectacular than his performing abilities. Incorporating ethnic scales, odd meters and unusual melody twists, his music remained distinctive and idiosyncratic till his tragically premature death. He was an intellectual and was nor ashamed to admit it, and a multi-talented artist, which his later life was about to expose, and his music was always both highly emotional and deeply intellectual, with an advanced aesthetic sense of beauty.
This is a most welcome reissue initiative, bringing back to life a little know gem of early European Fusion, which surely deserves to be heard by the new generation of music lovers. Although not specified on the albums packaging, the original master tapes were probably remastered, as the sound quality is nothing short of spectacular. Obviously this album is a highly recommended piece of music history, which still bites stronger than most other music made today. Not to be missed!
| | Updated: 22/04/2016Posted: 22/04/2016 | CD 1 Digipak Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend |
  | ALBERT MANGELSDORFF QUARTET ~ NEVER LET IT END
MPS 602517060029 (Barcode: 602517060029) ~ GERMANY ~ Free Jazz / Improvised Music
Recorded: 1970 Released: 2008
This is a reissue / remaster of an album by German trombonist / composer / bandleader Albert MangelsdorffFind albums by this artist, recorded with his all German quartet, which includes some of the finest European Jazz musicians active at the time: saxophonist Heinz SauerFind albums by this artist, bassist Gunter LenzFind albums by this artist and drummer Ralf HubnerFind albums by this artist. The album presents seven tracks, four composed by Mangelsdorff, two by Sauer and one by Hubner. The album was produced by my Friend and Mentor Joachim BerendtFind albums by this artist and his original liner notes (albeit only in German) are included on the album’s artwork.
Mangelsdorff, and his brother Emil MangelsdorffFind albums by this artist, were the pillars of the modern German Jazz scene, which developed rapidly after WWII, both in West and East Germany, peaking in the late 1960s. Germany developed in time as an epicenter of the continental Jazz scene, with huge number of excellent musicians, brilliant club and festival scene and the strongest music recording industry, with legendary labels like MPSFind albums on this label, ECMFind albums on this label, EnjaFind albums on this label and many others, which produced the finest modern Jazz recordings in the world, leaving the US scene far beyond from that time on.
Albert Mangelsdorff was one of the most vital figures on that scene and his ever changing groups pushed the Jazz limits at all times. His absolutely unique virtuosity on the trombone changed the role of that instrument to an equally important position in the Jazz ensemble as trumpet and saxophone. I was lucky to meet him and see / hear him play and record on numerous occasions and he always left an enormous impression as a person and a musician.
His recorded legacy, which he managed to amass very prolifically, is one of the most important individual European Jazz legacies, which this album proudly represents. The music here presents a perfect amalgam of the Jazz tradition and the rapid development towards modern and Free Jazz.
Overall, this is one of the most interesting Jazz albums in European Jazz, despite the fact that it is only known by relatively very few Jazz listeners. I have owned a copy since day one and listened to this album countless times in the almost fifty years since it was released, and each and every time I managed to discover something new in the music. I can only hope some more listeners will discover it one day, although admittedly it is quite difficult to find a copy.
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: 20/07/2024Posted: 20/07/2024 | CD 1 Oversampling Remastered Recommend To A Friend |
  | MANFRED SCHOOF ~ RESONANCE
ECM 2093/94 (Barcode: 602517804531) ~ GERMANY ~ Jazz
Recorded: 1976 - 1979 Released: 2009
This album collects music recorded by the quintets led by German trumpeter / composer Manfred SchoofFind albums by this artist, entitled "ScalesFind albums with this title", "Light LinesFind albums with this title" and "HorizonsFind albums with this title", which were originally released on the JAPOFind albums on this label label, a subsidiary of ECMFind albums on this label. The first two are included here in their entirety and the last one is two tracks short, which is a pity, but considering this is the only CD edition of these albums, it´s infinitely better than nothing, especially in view of the quality of the music. Schoof was one of the most important figures on the European modern Jazz scene since the late 1960s and his contribution to the genre is enormous. A brilliant trumpeter and a great composer, he was always in the epicenter of the scene, playing with musicians from many countries as well as leading his own groups. His 1970s quintet, which recorded the three albums included here, was particularly exquisite, playing some of the most intelligent and adventurous, albeit quite melodic and well organized music created at the time. Of course the element of musical freedom is in the centre of the musical creation, as captured on these albums, but it is pre-composed and retains strong melodic continuity. In retrospect these are truly amazing musical achievements, which have not been repeated successfully since. The musicians present here include: bass clarinetist Michel PilzFind albums by this artist, Dutch keyboardist Jasper van`t HofFind albums by this artist (on the first two albums) and German keyboardist Rainer BruninghausFind albums by this artist (on the last one), bassist Gunter LenzFind albums by this artist and drummer Ralf HubnerFind albums by this artist. People familiar with European Jazz scene will of course recognize these names instantly. This is an absolute must to connoisseurs of European Jazz at its absolute best. Stupendous stuff!
Visitors' Comments
Christopher Brice
Love that bass clarinet (on YouTube - CDs not yet received)
| | | CD 2 Slipcase Recommend To A Friend |
  | BARNEY WILEN ~ DEAR PROF. LEARY
PROMISING MUSIC 44106 (Barcode: 602517024816) ~ FRANCE ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion
Recorded: 1968 Released: 2008
French saxophonist / composer Barney WilenFind albums by this artist is known to Jazz fans mostly for his role in the 1957 recording with Miles DavisFind albums by this artist of the legendary “Ascenseur pour l`échafaudFind albums with this title” soundtrack. But a decade later, Wilen left standard American Jazz behind and took an active role in the burgeoning new European scene in search of new musical adventures. He formed a group called Amazing Free Rock BandFind albums by this artist with young upcoming players like Swiss guitarist Mimi LorenziniFind albums by this artist, German keyboardist Joachim KuhnFind albums by this artist, German bassist Gunter LenzFind albums by this artist and two drummers, Italian Aldo RomanoFind albums by this artist and German Wolfgang PaapFind albums by this artist. As the group’s name suggests, they combined contemporary Rock with Free Jazz, creating an amalgam they called Free Rock. This album is a document of this attempt, and one of the earliest Jazz-Rock Fusion recordings. The material includes mostly contemporary Pop and Rock anthems, with a couple of original compositions and one Jazz composition by Ornette ColemanFind albums by this artist. The result is one of the wackiest albums ever recorded and a great document of the era. As the title suggests, Psychedelic instances probably had much to do with the resulting music. Although the music did not withstand the test of time as well as other MPS recordings, producer Joachim BerendtFind albums by this artist thought at the time that this experiment was worth preserving for posterity, and we are (in retrospect) grateful. Superbly remastered and elegantly packaged by Promising MusicFind albums on this label, this is a great trip down the memory lane. Definitely worth investigating.
| | | CD 1 Mini-Sleeve Oversampling Remastered Recommend To A Friend |
  | LESZEK ZADLO QUARTET ~ LIVE IN HAMBURG `75
FOR TUNE 0170 (Barcode: 5906395808847) ~ POLAND ~ Free Jazz / Improvised Music
Recorded: 1975 Released: 2024
By the mid-1970s West Germany became a true Mecca of European Jazz. The great economic resurgence allowed benevolent support of Arts by the German regional and Federal governments, and Jazz became a highly popular and flourishing Artform, bursting with concert activity all around the country. The many indoor and outdoor Jazz festivals, venues ranging from newly constructed concert halls to small clubs and cellars, music schools with Jazz departments and a vast number of thriving independent record labels, like MPSFind albums on this label, ECMFind albums on this label and EnjaFind albums on this label, to mention but a few, all these created a climate, which not only enabled the local musicians to flourish, but also acted like a magnet pulling Jazz musicians from all over the world to move to Germany and take part in the celebration of creating the new European Jazz miracle.
Since Europe was at the time literally split by the Iron Curtain into “West” and “East”, moving to Germany from the USA or other West European countries was a breeze. However, as far as East European Jazz musicians were concerned, such move was, more often than not, only but a dream. That did not mean, of course, that some of them would not try, and eventually also succeed to make such transition.
Born in Krakow in 1945, Polish Jazz saxophonist / flautist / composer / educator Leszek ZadloFind albums by this artist was one of the first Polish Jazz musicians, who managed to make the “West” their new home. He moved first to Austria, in 1966, where he polished his education and performing skills, playing constantly with the best local and visiting international Jazz players. There he recorded his debut album “Inner SilenceFind albums with this title” in 1973. In 1975 Zadlo relocated to Germany, settling in Munich and quickly becoming an integral part of the busy local scene.
This album presents a live recording by Zadlo with an international quartet, which includes American pianist Larry PorterFind albums by this artist, who was one of the many US musicians staying at the time in Germany, and a German rhythm section comprising of bassist Gunter LenzFind albums by this artist and drummer Joe NayFind albums by this artist. The concert was a part of the 1. New Jazz Festival, which took place in Hamburg in June of 1975. The festival’s concerts were presented at two legendary local venues: “Fabrik” and “Onkel Pös Carnegie Hall”, where the music on this album was recorded. The Festival’s lineup included several ensembles, led by important international Jazz artists, like Norwegian Terje RypdalFind albums by this artist, American Dave LiebmanFind albums by this artist, German Eberhard WeberFind albums by this artist and… Polish Tomasz StankoFind albums by this artist, another proud representative of the Eastern European Jazz scene. Parts of the performances by these artists were included on a commemorative album released by the Polydor label later that year. The fact that Leszek Zadlo was invited to take part in this important festival speaks volumes about his status as a part of the evolving European Jazz Avant-Garde.
The music is, as expected, a brilliant example of European Free Jazz / Improvised Music hurricane, exploding with emotions and sublime musicianship. Zadlo’s “infatuation” with the music of John ColtraneFind albums by this artist is obvious, but Zadlo offers his very own voice and interpretation of Freedom, which is perhaps less wild and instinctive, but rather more expressive and balanced, without losing touch with the world around. There is no doubt that Zadlo was at that period of his life perhaps the most “Coltrane oriented” European Jazz musician, all the way as total as the great Master, and with complete and full control of his faculties. Watching Zadlo on stage was like facing a Force of Nature, being totally and utterly swept by flow of his energy, all of which is wonderfully captured herein. His partners in crime are completely up to the task, as expected. It would be a sin to leave this music dormant in the vault and I am extremely happy to see it out in the open.
Love you my Friend, as always!
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: 06/12/2024Posted: 06/12/2024 | CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend |
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