Record Reviews
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  | HARRY BECKETT ~ MAXINE
ITM 920010 (Barcode: 4250079750108) ~ UK ~ Jazz
Recorded: 1987 - 1995 Released: 2011
This is an album by British Jazz trumpeter / composer Harry BeckettFind albums by this artist, released shortly after his death. It presents a compilation of seven tracks, recorded between 1987 and 1995 with five different lineups, ranging between a quintet and a duo. In fact, it is a reissue of the 1993 album “Les Jardins Du CasinoFind albums with this title” with two tracks form the 1996 album “Compared 2 What?Find albums with this title”.
Two tracks were recorded by a quintet with trombonist Annie WhiteheadFind albums by this artist, flautist / saxophonist John BurgesFind albums by this artist, bassist Marco CastronariFind albums by this artist and drummer Winston CliffordFind albums by this artist. Another two tracks were recorded by a trio with German pianist Joachim KuhnFind albums by this artist and French bassist Jean-Francois Jenny-ClarkFind albums by this artist. One track was recorded by a duo with pianist Django BatesFind albums by this artist, another one by a duo with pianist Chris McGregorFind albums by this artist and finally one track by a quintet with saxophonist Courtney PineFind albums by this artist, McGregor, bassist Fred Thelonious BakerFind albums by this artist and drummer Clifford JarvisFind albums by this artist.
The music in incredibly diverse stylistically, from mainstream balladry to intense modern Jazz improvisation, but the focus is on Beckett’s superb trumpet / flugelhorn performances, which are consistently breathtaking, despite the changing lineups and stylistic variations.
Personally, my favorite tracks are those with Joachim Kuhn, but all the music is truly delightful and should make every Jazz enthusiast happy. It would be a crime to leave these tracks unreleased, so it’s great to see them available, for us to enjoy and cherish. Warmly recommended.
| | Updated: 05/08/2023Posted: 05/08/2023 | CD 1 Slipcase Recommend To A Friend |
  | CLAUDIO FASOLI / KENNY WHEELER / JEAN-FRANCOIS JENNY-CLARK ~ LAND
AZZURRA 1328 (Barcode: 8028980739422) ~ ITALY ~ Jazz
Recorded: 1988 Released: 2018
This is a reissue of a brilliant album by the European Jazz trio consisting of Italian saxophonist Claudio FasoliFind albums by this artist, British trumpeter Kenny WheelerFind albums by this artist and French bassist Jean-Francois Jenny-ClarkFind albums by this artist. The album presents nine tracks, all composed by Fasoli.
By the time this album was recorded, European Jazz had already a distinct, clearly defined character and aesthetics, of which this album is a superb example. The music is based on beautiful melodic themes, but is completely open to enable Free improvisations, complete freedom of expression and as much of an ensemble sound, as a trio setting is able to provide.
The performances are all nothing short of stellar and the soloing bloodcurdling, with plenty of amazing saxophone / trumpet unisono passages and duets, supported exquisitely by the sublime bass lines. The intimate drumless trio setting is ideal to make all the individual statements perfectly audible and the sound quality offers a perfect balance between the instruments.
Wheeler’s many followers should find his playing on this album to be absolutely amazing, and this recording is one of many of his recordings made with Italian musicians. This is one of Wheeler’s recordings, which remains almost completely obscure and does not appear in most of his discographies. I was very lucky to get it from Kenny’s private collection.
Overall, this is a superb European Jazz recording, which sadly is relatively obscure, but remains among the finest examples of the many international collaborations that make European Jazz so interesting. The sophistication, delicacy and amazing level of musicianship present here is absolutely timeless!
| | Updated: 24/06/2023Posted: 23/06/2023 | CD 1 Remastered Recommend To A Friend |
  | JOACHIM KUHN ~ BIRTHDAY EDITION
ACT 6017 (Barcode: 614427601728) ~ GERMANY ~ Jazz
Recorded: 1987 - 1995 Released: 2014
This album celebrates the 70th Birthday of the German Jazz pianist / composer Joachim KuhnFind albums by this artist. The first album of this 2CD set presents recordings by the Kuhn trio with French bassist Jean-Francois Jenny-ClarkFind albums by this artist and Swiss drummer Daniel HumairFind albums by this artist, recorded live at the Jazzfest Berlin in 1987 and 1995. The second album is a re-edition of the brilliant Jazz symphony "EuropeanaFind albums with this title", composed by the renowned British composer Michael GibbsFind albums by this artist and performed by a dream team of European Jazz musicians, including Kuhn´s trio with Jenny-Clark and Norwegian drummer Jon ChristensenFind albums by this artist and many soloists like German trombonist Albert MangelsdorffFind albums by this artist, French accordionist Richard GallianoFind albums by this artist and others, with the NDR Philharmonic Orchestra. This album was originally recorded in 1994 and released in 1995.
Kuhn, who left East Germany in 1966 to join his older brother Rolf KuhnFind albums by this artist, who was already living in West Germany, became in time one of the most prolific and influential German and European Jazz musicians. Kuhn, who started as an avant-gardist and Free Jazz enthusiast went through a Jazz-Rock Fusion phase during the 1970s, being one of the pioneers of that genre at the time, returned to advanced Jazz explorations later on, and is to this day considered as one of the top European Jazz artists.
The piano trio album is a superb example of the modern approach to this seemingly simple setting, which treats the instruments on an absolutely equal level, giving them the same opportunity to express their ideas. Of course every trio is only as good as the cooperation between its members, and this particular trio has very few competitors in that department. Of the six pieces the trio plays, four are originals by Kuhn, one is a Humair / Kuhn collaboration and one was composed by the great French Jazz clarinetist Michel PortalFind albums by this artist. It is fascinating to see how the music, which was recorded eight years apart, appears to be as if recorded during the same concert. Such level of perfect integration and telepathic interplay is only achieved by the very best musicians out there and it´s great that ACTFind albums on this label released these live recordings as they are simply too good to be forgotten.
The Jazz symphony is of course as different form the trio recordings as the Jazz idiom permits; from an intimate trio into a symphonic grandeur. It is no secret that I have been a loyal follower of the works by Michael Gibbs ever since he appeared on the British scene, and in retrospect his orchestral works have been some of my fondest experiences not only as Jazz pieces, but as examples of grand music in general. The concept of this extraordinary work is to take a musical tour of Western Europe, from the northern Scandinavian countries, via central Europe and then south west to Spain. The symphony is divided into thirteen separate fragments, each one featuring different soloists, which are loosely connected to specific European countries but overall present the diversity of the Continent´s Cultural heritage and aesthetic values as expressed by music.
Although these two albums have seemingly almost nothing in common on the surface, they do represent simply a different facets of the same Cultural attitude, based on tradition and grooming as many new ideas as possible, ignoring incompatibilities and obstacles. Gibbs proves again that his exquisite melodies are perfect vehicles for Jazz improvisations, and the superb team gathered to perform this music stands up to the challenge with flying colors.
Overall this is a great tribute to the life and music of Joachim Kuhn, but includes also many other aspects of the music we love so much. Even if one already has a copy of "Europeana", it´s still worth to get a copy of this set just for the trio album, which will probably lead to another listening of the Gibbs work as well. Great stuff!
| | Updated: 13/08/2016Posted: 05/04/2016 | CD 2 Digipak Recommend To A Friend |
  | JOACHIM KUHN NEW TRIO ~ BEAUTY & TRUTH
ACT 9816 (Barcode: 614427981622) ~ GERMANY ~ Jazz
Recorded: 2015 Released: 2016
This is the debut album by German pianist / composer Joachim KuhnFind albums by this artist and his new trio with Canadian (resident in Paris) bassist Chris JenningsFind albums by this artist (born 1978) and German drummer Eric SchaeferFind albums by this artist (born 1976), which continues the classic Jazz trio setting Kuhn shared for over three decades with French bassist Jean-Francois Jenny-ClarkFind albums by this artist and drummer Daniel HumairFind albums by this artist. The album presents twelve relatively short pieces, four of which are original compositions by Kuhn, five are Jazz standards (two by Polish Jazz composer Krzysztof KomedaFind albums by this artist, see below), two are Rock standards (by The DoorsFind albums by this artist) and one is a contemporary Pop song (by Stand High PatrolFind albums by this artist).
The trio featuring musicians separated from the leader (born 1944) by a whole generation and more results in a much invigorated approach to the idiom, which seems to present to him no great challenge at all. During his entire career Kuhn had no problem with cross-style / country / age differences, being one of the most diverse and adaptive European musician of all times.
For Jazz piano trio lovers this album is, as expected, an absolute must, since Kuhn´s playing remains one of the most illustrious examples of this High Art, and supported respectfully and amicably by excellent younger, but already highly experienced players, Kuhn is ably to stretch his wings and soar to celestial spheres.
As to the "Polish angle", the fact that Kuhn decided to include two compositions by Komeda is not accidental. While still living in East Germany and before moving to West Germany, Kuhn spent several months in 1964 living in Prague and in 1965 living in Warsaw, where he met the top Polish Jazz musicians active at the time. He was present as the studio session that produced Komeda´s iconic "AstigmaticFind albums with this title" album and met Zbigniew NamyslowskiFind albums by this artist, which resulted in the recording of the legendary "Live At Kosmos, BerlinFind albums with this title" album. Kuhn took part in Warsaw´s Jazz Jamboree Festivals in 1964 and 1965.
Overall this is a classic Jazz piano trio album, and another superb addition to the wonderful recording legacy of the Great European Jazz Master. Highly recommended!
| | Updated: 18/07/2020Posted: 18/07/2020 | CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend |
  | JOACHIM KUHN NEW TRIO ~ LOVE & PEACE
ACT 9861 (Barcode: 614427986122) ~ GERMANY ~ Jazz
Recorded: 2017 Released: 2018
This is the second album by German pianist / composer Joachim KuhnFind albums by this artist and his new trio with Canadian (resident in Paris) bassist Chris JenningsFind albums by this artist and German drummer Eric SchaeferFind albums by this artist, which continues the classic Jazz piano trio setting Kuhn shared for over three decades with French bassist Jean-Francois Jenny-ClarkFind albums by this artist and drummer Daniel HumairFind albums by this artist. The album presents eleven relatively short pieces, six of which are original compositions by Kuhn, one each is by Jennings and Schaefer, one is a Jazz standard, one is a Rock standards (by The DoorsFind albums by this artist) and finally one is an arrangement of a Classical piece.
Musically this album is an obvious follow up to the debut, continuing the formula of mixing original compositions with up-to-date arrangements of older pieces, concentrating on the more settled, lyrical facet of Jazz without compromising the inquisitive nature of Kuhn´s playing and his approach to improvisation.
The trio, featuring musicians separated from the leader by a whole generation and more, results in a much invigorated circumstances as far as Kuhn is concerned, which seems to present to him no great challenge at all. During his entire career Kuhn had no problem with cross-style / country / age differences, being one of the most diverse and adaptive European musician of all times.
For Jazz piano trio lovers this album is, as expected, an absolute must, since Kuhn´s playing remains one of the most illustrious examples of this High Art, and supported respectfully and amicably by excellent younger, but already highly experienced players, Kuhn is ably to stretch his wings and soar to celestial spheres.
Overall this is a classic Jazz piano trio album, and another superb addition to the wonderful recording legacy of the Great European Jazz Master. Highly recommended!
| | Updated: 23/07/2020Posted: 23/07/2020 | CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend |
  | ALBERT MANGELSDORFF ~ THREE ORIGINALS
MPS 731451921322 (Barcode: 731451921322) ~ GERMANY ~ Free Jazz / Improvised Music
Recorded: 1975 - 1980 Released: 1993
This is a reissue / remaster of three iconic albums by the Godfather of modern German Jazz, trombonist / composer / bandleader Albert MangelsdorffFind albums by this artist. All three albums were recorded for and released by the legendary German MPSFind albums on this label label and all were produced by my Friend and Mentor Joachim BerendtFind albums by this artist. I had the pleasure to be in the studio where the first album was recorded and at the Berlin Jazz Days venue where the second album was recorded. All three albums were recorded in a trio setting: trombone / bass / drums.
The albums are:
“The Wide PointFind albums with this title”, recorded in 1975 with Swedish bassist Palle DanielssonFind albums by this artist and American drummer Elvin JonesFind albums by this artist.
“Trilogue - Live!Find albums with this title”, recorded in 1976 with American bassist Jaco PastoriusFind albums by this artist and drummer Alphonse MouzonFind albums by this artist.
“Albert Live In MontreuxFind albums with this title”, recorded in 1980 with French bassist Jean-Francois Jenny-ClarkFind albums by this artist and American drummer Ronald Shannon JacksonFind albums by this artist.
The music is absolutely stellar from start to finish and Mangelsdorff’s exceptional talent as musician, improviser and innovator is fully exposed here. Mangelsdorff proved that there are no limits to any instrument, only to human imagination. These intimate trios are a great display of Free Jazz / Improvised Music at their absolute best, not to mention the exposure of the trombone as a solo instrument.
Mangelsdorff’s contribution to the development of modern German / European Jazz was absolutely crucial at the early post WWII years, with an independent view of the Jazz Artform, quite separate from the American tradition. The privilege of meeting Albert Mangelsdorff and his brother Emil MangelsdorffFind albums by this artist and spending time with them is a worm memory, which I cherish to this day.
Overall, this is a brilliant package of three great albums on 2 CD, which holds some great performances by superb musicians, all of which, except Danielsson, are no longer with us. This music is an absolute must an any comprehensive collection of modern European Jazz and Improvised Music.
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: 29/12/2023Posted: 07/04/2023 | CD 2 Remastered Recommend To A Friend |
  | PAUL MOTIAN ~ PAUL MOTIAN
ECM 2260/65 (Barcode: 602537223466) ~ USA ~ Jazz
Recorded: 1972 - 1984 Released: 2013
This superb Box Set contains the first six albums by the legendary American drummer / composer Paul MotianFind albums by this artist, released on the ECMFind albums on this label label, which are: "Conception VesselFind albums with this title" (ECM 1028) recorded 1972, "TributeFind albums with this title" (ECM 1048) recorded 1974, "DanceFind albums with this title" (ECM 1108) recorded 1977, "Le VoyageFind albums with this title" (ECM 1138) recorded 1979, "PsalmFind albums with this title" (ECM 1222) recorded 1981 and finally "It Should`ve Happened A Long Time AgoFind albums with this title" (ECM 1283) recorded 1984. Except for just two cases all the music is composed by Motian and performed by various ensembles: three are by a trio, two by quintet and one by sextet. The musicians include pianist Keith JarrettFind albums by this artist, guitarists Sam BrownFind albums by this artist and Bill FrisellFind albums by this artist, saxophonists Carlos WardFind albums by this artist, Charles BrackeenFind albums by this artist and Joe LovanoFind albums by this artist, bassists Charlie HadenFind albums by this artist, David IzenzonFind albums by this artist, Jean-Francois Jenny-ClarkFind albums by this artist and Ed SchullerFind albums by this artist and several others
These albums are all superb examples of Motian´s talent as a composer, who is able to weave beautifully melodic tunes, which nevertheless are open enough to serve as vehicles for extensive improvisations. Except for the first album in this Box Set all other ensembles led by Motian are pianoless and relay mostly on guitar as the harmonic instrument, expressing Motian´s deep affection for this instrument.
Of course Motian´s most important contribution to the Jazz idiom was his revolutionary approach to drumming, which in his case almost completely transformed the instrument´s role form time keeping tool to an instrument performing alongside the other instruments in the ensemble.
Motian´s intimate and complex music may be somewhat difficult for a mainstream Jazz fan, but it truly deserves an open-minded effort to be penetrated and then enjoyed in full. This music is after all an important chapter in American Jazz, which is ambitious and highly aesthetic, and which manages to break from the stale traditionalism into new vistas.
Side Note: These albums are not available on CD individually, so this is the only way to obtain them in CD form.
| | Updated: 26/01/2019Posted: | CD 6 Mini-Sleeve Box Set Recommend To A Friend |
  | PORK PIE ~ TRANSITORY
PROMISING MUSIC 44108 (Barcode: 602517602427) ~ NETHERLANDS ~ Jazz
Recorded: 1974 Released: 2008
Dutch keyboardist / composer Jasper van`t HofFind albums by this artist was one of the most prominent young Jazz musicians on the European scene in the late 1960s / 1970s and a pioneer of the new European Jazz, which emerged like a Phoenix on the ashes of the stagnant Jazz tradition. A founding member of the legendary Association P.C.Find albums by this artist, van`t Hof left the group in 1972 (to be replaced by Joachim KuhnFind albums by this artist) and a year later formed his own ensemble Pork PieFind albums by this artist (the name being a tribute to a famous Lester YoungFind albums by this artist tune) with four other excellent musicians: the veteran American (but resident in Germany) saxophonist Charlie MarianoFind albums by this artist, Belgian guitarist Philip CatherineFind albums by this artist, French bassist Jean-Francois Jenny-ClarkFind albums by this artist and Italian (but resident in France) drummer Aldo RomanoFind albums by this artist. The group recorded a couple of albums on the legendary German MPSFind albums on this label label, of which this was the first. The group played a completely innovative music, which moved freely between genres and included Free Jazz, Jazz-Rock Fusion, Psychedelic and World Music elements. All five members of the group were splendid musicians, blessed with virtuosity and inspiration, and the rapport between them was phenomenal. This album sounds today as advanced and oracular as it did at the time of the recording, losing nothing of its freshness, a true timeless masterpiece. The Brazilian percussionist Ivanir “Mandrake” Do NascimentoFind albums by this artist appears as a guest on some of the tracks and adds his magic to the mix. In retrospect this is a superb example of what was happening on the European Jazz scene at the time, underlining the perpetual quest for new forms of expression and ceaseless search for new musical vocabulary. Superbly remastered and elegantly packaged by Promising MusicFind albums on this label, this is a treasure and a great trip down the memory lane. Hopefully the other MPS recording by this group will follow soon. Brilliant!
| | | CD 1 Mini-Sleeve Oversampling Remastered Recommend To A Friend |
  | MICHEL PORTAL ~ ANY WAY
LABEL BLEU 6544 (Barcode: 3149025057877) ~ FRANCE ~ Jazz-World Fusion
Recorded: 1991 - 1992 Released: 1993
This is an album by legendary French bass clarinetist / saxophonist / composer / bandleader Michel PortalFind albums by this artist, recorded with a large gathering of international Jazz musicians, which includes French violinist Didier LockwoodFind albums by this artist, bassist Jean-Francois Jenny-ClarkFind albums by this artist, percussionist Mino CineluFind albums by this artist and guitarist Nguyen LeFind albums by this artist, British trumpeter Kenny WheelerFind albums by this artist, American keyboardist Gil GoldsteinFind albums by this artist and bassist Victor BaileyFind albums by this artist, Indian percussionist Trilok GurtuFind albums by this artist, Swiss drummer Daniel HumairFind albums by this artist and others. The album presents six lengthy tracks, five of which are original compositions by Portal and one is by Cinelu.
The music is based on beautiful composed themes, on which the participants improvise with obvious skill and imagination. There are strong World Music influences and excellent group improvisations. The leader plays mostly the bass clarinet, and his fame as one of the greatest virtuosi of that instrument is of course fully justified. The solo by Wheeler on the last racks is alone worth having this album in one’s collection.
There is an atmosphere of mutual respect and great fun, and the musicians are obviously jamming and enjoying themselves, which is felt in the resulting music, mixing the Jazz elements with Funk and Ethnic drumming, which is very effective.
Overall, this is a very unusual album, which creates an amalgam of European Jazz and Ethnic / World percussive elements, and offers some extraordinary improvised parts by some of the best musicians on this planet. A true joy!
| | Updated: 04/02/2025Posted: 04/02/2025 | CD 1 Recommend To A Friend |
  | KENNY WHEELER ~ AROUND 6
ECM 1156 (Barcode: 731452912428) ~ UK ~ Jazz
Recorded: 1979 Released: 1990
This is the third album on the ECMFind albums on this label label by the great British (born in Canada) trumpeter / composer Kenny WheelerFind albums by this artist, one of the Godfathers of modern British and European Jazz. Recorded in a sextet setting, the album combines the forces of several superb European musicians: British saxophonist Evan ParkerFind albums by this artist, Swedish trombonist Eje ThelinFind albums by this artist, US (resident in Europe) vibraphonist Tom van der GeldFind albums by this artist, French bassist Jean-Francois Jenny-ClarkFind albums by this artist and Finnish drummer Edward VesalaFind albums by this artist. The sextet performs six original compositions by Wheeler, two of which are expanded pieces over ten minutes long and one is a solo trumpet piece.
In many respects this album is quite different from all other recordings Wheeler made for ECM, mostly due to the presence of Parker, who belongs to the radical Free Jazz circle, which almost never (except for the very early days) manages to get any exposure on the label. Wheeler, however, seems to have absolutely no problem with Parker being a part of the lineup and switches elegantly between the melodic / lyrical compositions or passages within a composition, into the wild free realms Parker resides in. There are very few recordings, which manage to create such a wonderful cross-genre symbiosis like this one, and therefore this album is in retrospect one of the most interesting ECM recordings.
All the players here have been major figures on the European Jazz scene since many years and participated in countless recording sessions from the mid 1960s all throughout the 1970s and Wheeler´s capability to bring them together as part of this project is truly admirable. The level of performance is absolutely dazzling and combined with the level of freedom the musicians are granted by the leader they are able to express themselves to the max, which is clearly evident to the listener.
This music lost absolutely nothing of its power and beauty over time, on the contrary listening to this album only makes one wonder why such ambitious and groundbreaking music is rarely being recorded today. This is an absolute gem and every record collection will be greatly enriched by having this album as one of its items. Grab it if you can find it!
| | | CD 1 Recommend To A Friend |
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