Record Reviews

HANK JONES ~ HAVE YOU MET THIS JONES? MPS 4029759097310 (Barcode: 4029759097310) ~ USA ~ Jazz Recorded: 1977 Released: 2014 This is a reissue of a little known album by American pianist Hank JonesFind albums by this artist, the oldest of the three famous Jones Brothers (Thad, Elvin and Hank) recorded with a trio with also included Swiss bassist Isla EckingerFind albums by this artist and German drummer Kurt BongFind albums by this artist. The album was recorded in Germany for the MPSFind albums on this label label and produced by Hans Georg Brunner-SchwerFind albums by this artist. It presents eight tracks, one of which is an original composition by Hank Jones, one is by his brother Thad JonesFind albums by this artist and the remaining six are standards. Jones was famous for his delicate touch and superb feel, which made him one of the most sought after accompanists by Jazz vocalists like Ella FitzgeraldFind albums by this artist and many others, but played Bebop and may other forms of Jazz with the same ease and elegance. This date finds him playing mainstream Jazz with his typical finesse and in a very relaxed atmosphere. For classic Jazz piano trio lovers this is heaven on earth, especially in view of the excellent sonic quality this album offers. Although Jones recorded many albums during his long career, this is one of very few albums he recorded with a European rhythm section, and therefore a rare opportunity to investigate of the influence of these players on his performance. This forgotten little gem is definitely worth being discovered! 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: 26/05/2016

CD 1 Slipcase Remastered Recommend To A Friend

THAD JONES / MEL LEWIS ORCHESTRA ~ ALL MY YESTERDAYS RESONANCE 2023 (Barcode: 096802280221) ~ USA ~ Big Band Jazz Recorded: 1966 Released: 2016 This is an archival 2CD live album by the quintessential American Jazz Big Band / Orchestra, co led by trumpeter / composer / arranger Thad JonesFind albums by this artist (a.k.a. Thaddeus J. JonesFind albums by this artist) and drummer Mel LewisFind albums by this artist, recorded at the legendary NY Village Vanguard club, on February 7, 1966 (CD1 six tracks, all composed by Jones) and March 21, 1966 (CD2 eleven tracks, seven composed by Jones and four standards). The somewhat different lineups include many of the top American Jazz musicians active at the time, including pianist Hank JonesFind albums by this artist, bassist Richard DavisFind albums by this artist, saxophonists Jerome RichardsonFind albums by this artist, Joe FarrellFind albums by this artist, Eddie DanielsFind albums by this artist and Pepper AdamsFind albums by this artist, trumpeters Snooky YoungFind albums by this artist and Jimmy OwensFind albums by this artist, trombonist Bob BrookmeyerFind albums by this artist and others. As usual with the albums released by ResonanceFind albums on this label Records, the restored sound is excellent and the album includes a huge informative booklet with in-depth articles and excellent photographs. The music is as perfect as American Big Bands at their best were able to create, with rich arrangements utilizing the Big Band’s sections to the max, and thanks to the aggregation of talent present among the membership, the music flows briskly and sparklingly for the entire duration. There is plenty of excellent soloing and the compositions are all perfect for the Big Band milieu to shine ceaselessly. In retrospect, however, this music does sound quite predicable and shackled within the mainstream conventionalism, especially in contrast to what European Big Bands were about to explore just a few years later, which took the Jazz Big Band / Orchestral music to the next level. Overall, this is a wonderful example of the American Big Band tradition at its best, sparkled with the great musicianship available at the time. But Jazz was shaking at its foundations, with John ColtraneFind albums by this artist recording music at the same Village Vanguard, which sounded like coming from another galaxy, and the American Big Band scene was sadly coming to its final days, unable to adapt to the new era.

Updated: 16/12/2025Posted: 16/12/2025

CD 2 Mini-Sleeve Remastered Recommend To A Friend

GROVER WASHINGTON, JR. ~ THE COMPLETE COLUMBIA ALBUMS COLLECTION SONY 886979244825 (Barcode: 886979244825) ~ USA ~ Jazz Recorded: 1985 - 1999 Released: 2011 This Box Set includes all the albums released by US saxophonist / composer Grover Washington, Jr.Find albums by this artist on the ColumbiaFind albums on this label label, which spanned the last decade and a half of his life, untimely cut short by his tragic and unexpected death. Washington, primarily known as the Godfather of Smooth Jazz was in fact a gifted Jazz musician with a career spanning almost forty years, which slowly shifted from mainstream Jazz towards Jazz-Funk and Soul-Jazz. He enjoyed immense popularity amongst non-Jazz music lovers, but his true Jazz spirit was always a part of his milieu, especially when examined in retrospect. The Columbia recordings present a wide range of stylistically diverse settings, moving between Funk, Soul-Jazz and mainstream Jazz, which is rarely associated with his legacy. Some superb players took part in these recordings, such as trumpeter Eddie HendersonFind albums by this artist, pianists Herbie HancockFind albums by this artist and Hank JonesFind albums by this artist, bassists Ron CarterFind albums by this artist and George MrazFind albums by this artist, drummer Billy HartFind albums by this artist and many, many more. Washington plays alto, tenor and soprano saxophones with mastery skill and fluency and his improvisational abilities are beyond reproach. Of course many hardcore Jazz listeners will find this music way to "easy going" for their ears, but many will also be surprised by the Artistry Washington presents often on these albums. Listeners, who like the easier side of Jazz, should find this stuff absolutely delightful. Whatever one´s opinion of Washington´s music may be, one must admit that he certainly was one of the most influential musicians in the 1980s and 1990s. This Box Set, with the original albums mini-sleeved and an informational liner notes included is definitely worth investigating.

Updated: 26/01/2019Posted:

CD 9 Mini-Sleeve Box Set Recommend To A Friend