Record Reviews
4 Reviews Found. Use search to find more reviews or follow the links in the review text.
  | ASSOCIATION P.C. / JEREMY STEIG ~ MAMA KUKU
PROMISING MUSIC 44100 (Barcode: 602517542846) ~ NETHERLANDS ~ Jazz
Recorded: 1973 Released: 2008
Association P.C.Find albums by this artist was one of several multi-national Jazz groups active in Europe during the late 1960 / 1970 explosive period of creative activity, which resulted in establishment of the European Jazz and its emancipation from the American Jazz traditions. With Britain as one epicenter of the new music, Netherlands, Germany and France were the other one. Their geographic proximity enabled the existence of multi-national groups, as the musicians were able to meet, rehearse and tour, all within a driving distance from their respective homes. These countries also had a common cultural background, which served as common bond between the musicians. The original group was formed by Dutch drummer Pierre CourboisFind albums by this artist (his initials are in the group’s name) with fellow Dutch players Jasper van`t HofFind albums by this artist – keyboards and Peter KrijnenFind albums by this artist – bass and the German guitarist Toto BlankeFind albums by this artist. Krijnen was soon replaced by German bass virtuoso Siggi BushFind albums by this artist. After van’t Hof left the group to form his own outfit (the legendary Pork PieFind albums by this artist), he was replaced by German keyboardist Joachim KuhnFind albums by this artist. The group recorded five albums, four of them on the legendary MPSFind albums on this label label, and this was the last of them. The idea for recording an album with American flautist Jeremy SteigFind albums by this artist was initiated by the legendary Jazz critic and resident MPS producer Joachim BerendtFind albums by this artist, who heard Steig perform at the Munich Jazz Festival, which was organized as one of the events for the Munich Olympic Games in 1972. Berendt was always looking for unusual musical combinations and inspired the (then) forming European Jazz scene by his unequivocal support and prophetic vision. Steig, although American, was always associated with the Avant-Garde and pursued his own search to expand his horizons beyond the stagnant Jazz mainstream. Therefore his rapport with the young European musicians, who were also on a quest to discover the unknown, happened naturally, as Berendt envisioned. The album was recorded live, another wise decision by Berendt, as the character of the music simply suited a spontaneous situation perfectly. Although Association P.C. is often associated with the European Jazz-Rock Fusion (probably due to the fact that electric guitar and keyboards were used), is fact the group had nothing to do with that genre. Blanke and Kuhn will later on play in or lead Jazz-Rock Fusion ensembles, but in that group they played quite a different sort of music, trying to expand Free Jazz (which served as a departure point) into Improvised Music. Steig understood that instinctively and cooperated beautifully. The peak of the album is reached on the 21+ minutes long spontaneously improvised piece, which was the original B-side of the LP. The performances are of course inspired and uplifting, as the musicians were all virtuosi and masters of their trade in spite of their young age. In retrospect the album caught for posterity a glorious moment and a fragment of what was happening on the European scene at the time, which makes it an immensely important document, in addition to being a superb musical experience, completely relevant to this very day. Kudos to Promising MusicFind albums on this label for the excellent remaster and elegant packaging of the reissue. A must!
| | Updated: 12/04/2019Posted: | CD 1 Mini-Sleeve Oversampling Remastered Recommend To A Friend |
  | JEREMY STEIG & EDDIE GOMEZ ~ MUSIC FOR FLUTE & DOUBLE BASS / RAIN FOREST
ART OF GROOVE 80242 (Barcode: 885513802422) ~ USA ~ Jazz-Rock-World Fusion
Recorded: 1978 - 1980 Released: 2015
This is a reissue of two excellent albums recorded by the two American Jazz Masters, flautist / composer Jeremy SteigFind albums by this artist and bassist / composer Eddie GomezFind albums by this artist. "Music For Flute & Double BassFind albums with this title", recorded in 1978, is a duo album which finds Steig and Gomez exchanging licks in an intimate setting, while "Rain ForestFind albums with this title", recorded in 1980, finds them in the company of several musicians: Austrian guitarist Karl RatzerFind albums by this artist, keyboardist Mike NockFind albums by this artist, drummers Steve GaddFind albums by this artist and Jack DeJohnetteFind albums by this artist and percussionists Nana VasconcelosFind albums by this artist and Ray BarrettoFind albums by this artist. Both albums are remastered and each features one bonus track recorded by the duo live during the 1978 Berlin Jazz Days. Both albums were originally released on the German CMPFind albums on this label label and present all original material composed by Steig and Gomez.
Steig and Gomez go together way back to the 1960s, when they were members of the proto Fusion band Jeremy & The SatyrsFind albums by this artist, and their paths crossed regularly over the years. They have developed over time a rare affinity and understanding between themselves, which comes into beautiful fruition on these albums.
The duo album is a superb opportunity to witness the incredible virtuosity these two players are capable of delivering, as well as enjoy their telepathic dialogues. The studio environment enables them to multi track and overlay several instruments in parallel, producing a richer and more impressive sonic result, without disturbing the intimacy and delicacy of that session.
The group album presents several different lineups from the list of participants above, and is an orgy of brilliant performances, polyrhythmic complexity and joy of life. Many excellent solos chase one another and everybody gets an opportunity to show their chops, as appropriate for the occasion. It is much more Fusion oriented than the intimate duo album.
Musically these albums amalgamate many different influences, obviously based on the Jazz tradition but incorporating many World Music characteristics, some Fusion tendencies and even contemporary Classical music vistas. Sadly these two albums never enjoyed the popularity they truly deserved and therefore this is a great opportunity to get hold of them again for a very fair price. After all this music should definitely be part of every serious music collection.
| | Updated: 28/06/2016Posted: 28/06/2016 | CD 2 Digipak Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend |
|
