Record Reviews

HR BIG BAND ~ KRIEGEL TODAY! MOOSICUS 1313 (Barcode: 885513131324) ~ GERMANY ~ Big Band Jazz Recorded: 2018 Released: 2020 This is a live album by the German HR Big BandFind albums by this artist (a.k.a. Frankfurt Radio Big BandFind albums by this artist), conducted by American pianist / composer / arranger Jim McNeelyFind albums by this artist. The album is a tribute to the great German guitarist / composer / bandleader Volker KriegelFind albums by this artist, one of the key figures of the modern German Jazz, who died in 2003. Three guitarist were invited to play the solo parts with the orchestra: German John SchroderFind albums by this artist, Dutch Jesse van RullerFind albums by this artist and British / German Martin ScalesFind albums by this artist. They perform eight compositions by Kriegel, arranged for the Big Band by McNeely. The HR Big Band is one of several German Big Bands, such as the NDR Big BandFind albums by this artist (from Hamburg) or the WDR Big BandFind albums by this artist (from Cologne), which function side by side with the regional state broadcasting corporations active in Germany, being decentralized by law and remaining as one of the last bastions of independent publicly sponsored cultural organizations, adding a tremendous input into European Jazz in particular and European Culture in general. The musicians employed by these Big Bands have ideal working conditions and are free from economic struggles, which take a heavy toll on most freelance musicians. Also many projects, like the one documented on this album, would have never happened in a purely unsponsored commercial environment and the existence of these bands is simply a cultural miracle. The music is absolutely sensational, and this new presentation emphasizes what a genius composer Kriegel was and how eternal his music is. The material was originally recorded for four albums by Kriegel: “SpectrumFind albums with this title” (1971), “Inside: Missing LinkFind albums with this title” (1972), “Lift!Find albums with this title” (1973) and “Mild ManiacFind albums with this title” (1974), all released originally on the legendary MPSFind albums on this label Records label. The fact that the music originates from over four decades earlier, makes one wonder if we are making any progress at all these days? These Big Band arrangements of the original music, which was pioneering Fusion at the time, is an absolute masterpiece, since in most cases when Big Bands attempt to play Fusion, they botch it up completely, but on this album the music works out perfectly, against all odds. Guitar fanatics can expect a major feast with three great Artists playing their hearts out! Overall, this is a true gem, which deserves to be heard by all Jazz (and genuine Fusion) enthusiasts, Jazz Big Band lovers and just music lovers in general, as it is accessible to a wide spectrum of listeners. The level of musicianship is absolutely stunning and the music is magical and even if you never heard about Volker Kriegel earlier on, which is a shame of course, make amendments now!

Updated: 13/09/2024Posted: 13/09/2024

CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend

EERO KOIVISTOINEN ~ ALTERED PICTURES SVART 529 (Barcode: 6430077094710) ~ FINLAND ~ Jazz This is a 3CD reissue of the two albums by iconic Finnish saxophonist / composer / bandleader Eero KoivistoinenFind albums by this artist recorded originally in the US in 1983 and 1991. CD1 presents the album “Picture In Three ColorsFind albums with this title” recorded by a sextet, which includes Koivistoinen with American musicians: trumpeter Tom HarrellFind albums by this artist, pianist Jim McNeelyFind albums by this artist, guitarist John ScofieldFind albums by this artist, bassist Ron McClureFind albums by this artist and drummer Jack DeJohnetteFind albums by this artist. The album presents six original compositions, all by the leader. The album was originally released on Koivistoinen’s new (at the time) self-owned record label ProFind albums on this label Records. CD2 presents the album “Altered ThingsFind albums with this title” recorded by a septet, which includes Koivistoinen with American musicians: trumpeter Randy BreckerFind albums by this artist, trombonist Conrad HerwigFind albums by this artist, pianist David KikoskiFind albums by this artist, Scofield, McClure and DeJohnette. Norwegian keyboardist Bugge WesseltoftFind albums by this artist added synthesizer parts on three tracks during post production and mix, which was done at the Rainbow Studio in Oslo by Jan Erik KongshaugFind albums by this artist. The album presents ten original tracks, eight by the leader and one each by Finnish pianist / composer Seppo KantonenFind albums by this artist and McClure. The album was originally released on CD only on the Dutch TimelessFind albums on this label Records label, owned by Wim WigtFind albums by this artist, who produced the album. CD3 presents eight bonus tracks, five from the first album and three from the second, which include both outtakes and alternate takes, all by the leader except one composition by McClure. The music is all within the modern mainstream Jazz tradition, showcasing Koivistoinen’s brilliant composing / arranging skills and superb performances by some of the best American Jazz musicians active at the time. Koivistoinen’s ties with American Jazz go back in time to the years spent at the Berklee College of Music in Boston, where he absorbed the knowledge he would brilliantly utilize during his future career. He always showed a deep respect towards the American Jazz tradition, but at the same time presented a highly individual voice, which went beyond the boundaries of that tradition and incorporated European musical values and his native Finnish influences, turning him into one of the most versatile and prominent European Jazz personalities, as the music included here brilliantly exemplifies. It is of course great to see these two important albums expanded and made available again, thanks to the exemplary work done by SvartFind albums on this label Records, which treats the Finnish musical treasures with the respect they deserve, preserving the Cultural values, which are perhaps more important today than ever, in these dark days.

Updated: 22/02/2022Posted: 20/02/2022

CD 3 Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend