Record Reviews

KENNY CLARKE / FRANCY BOLAND BIG BAND ~ ALL SMILES MPS 4029759119562 (Barcode: 4029759119562) ~ BELGIUM ~ Jazz Recorded: 1968 Released: 2017 This is a reissue of the second album for the MPSFind albums on this label label by international, resident in Europe, Kenny Clarke / Francy Boland Big BandFind albums by this artist. On this album the lineup consists of seventeen musicians, including: British trumpeter Jimmy DeucharFind albums by this artist, Swedish trombonist Ake PerssonFind albums by this artist, British saxophonists Derek HumbleFind albums by this artist, Ronnie ScottFind albums by this artist and Tony CoeFind albums by this artist, American saxophonist / flautist Sahib ShihabFind albums by this artist, American vibraphonist Dave PikeFind albums by this artist, Belgian pianist Francy BolandFind albums by this artist, American bassist Jimmy WoodeFind albums by this artist and drummer Kenny ClarkeFind albums by this artist and others. The album presents ten tracks, nine of which are standards and one is based on a John Philip SousaFind albums by this artist march, all of them arranged by Boland. The music is absolutely breathtaking example of the sophistication of the Big Band idiom, achieved when American Big Band tradition meets European aesthetic values and the amalgam erupts with inventiveness, elegance and flair. The brilliant arrangements turn the Big Band into a musical hydra, which has one body but in this case seventeen heads, all working together towards a common goal. The music soars and flows gently, switching moods and emotions and the soloists have plenty of space to make their individual statements. For over a decade the Big Band served as a home for many American Jazz musicians who lived in Europe, sometimes for extended periods of time. It also cemented the European Jazz community, which was developing rapidly during these formative years. It was a fruitful habitat for many ensembles that were established by the Big Band members in years to come. For connoisseurs of Big Band music this is an absolute must have, especially in view of the exquisite recording quality this album offers, which enables each and every instruments to be heard perfectly clearly. They don´t make music like this any more… 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: 28/05/2018Posted: 24/02/2018

CD 1 Mini-Sleeve Remastered Recommend To A Friend

NATHAN DAVIS ~ THE HIP WALK MPS 4029759181163 (Barcode: 4029759181163) ~ USA ~ Jazz Recorded: 1965 Released: 2023 This is a reissue / remaster of an album by American saxophonist / flautist / composer Nathan DavisFind albums by this artist, recorded in a quintet setting with trumpeter Carmell JonesFind albums by this artist, Belgian pianist Francy BolandFind albums by this artist, bassist Jimmy WoodeFind albums by this artist and drummer Kenny ClarkeFind albums by this artist. The album was produced by my Friend and Mentor Joachim BerendtFind albums by this artist and was the second Davis’ recording for the SABAFind albums on this label Records, the precursor of the legendary MPSFind albums on this label Records label. The album presents seven tracks, five of which are originals by Davis and two are standards. Davis, Jones, Woode and Clarke were among the many American expatriates living in Europe at the time of the recording, escaping their home ridden by racism and social unrest and finding recognition, fame and admiration in Europe, often with extensive help from Berendt, who tried to offer them recording opportunities as much as he could. This reissue features the original liner notes Berendt wrote for the album, which are a brilliant example of his work, from which I learned so much. Davis never achieved a wide recognition in the US, although he definitely was a superb player and composer. Most of his early recordings were done in Europe and upon his return to the US he concentrated on teaching. The music is all mainstream Bebop oriented Jazz, with excellent performances by all the participants and offers a wonderful recording quality, for which the legendary SABA studios was world-famous, now even improved with the excellent remaster. Overall, this is a superb snapshot of American Jazz in Europe, captured for posterity by the SABA / MPS enterprise, with Joachim Berendt at the helm. The music still sounds as fresh and vivid as it was almost sixty years ago, making it everlasting. 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: 24/10/2023

CD 1 Mini-Sleeve Remastered Recommend To A Friend

JIM HALL ~ IT`S NICE TO BE WITH YOU MPS 4029759097303 (Barcode: 4029759097303) ~ USA ~ Jazz Recorded: 1969 Released: 2014 This is a reissue of a little known album by legendary American guitarist Jim HallFind albums by this artist and his trio, which included American (resident in Europe) bassist Jimmy WoodeFind albums by this artist and Swiss drummer Daniel HumairFind albums by this artist. The album was recorded in Germany for the MPSFind albums on this label label and produced by Joachim BerendtFind albums by this artist. It presents eight tracks, three of which are original compositions by Hall, one is by his wife and the remaining four are standards. Considered the guitarists´ guitarist, Hall was one of the great pioneers of Jazz guitar and often described as the last of the classic Jazz guitar Masters. His recording career started rather slowly and this album is one of the few albums recorded before 1970. The accompanying trio plays along with the complex phrases, providing a most amicable backing the guitarist might have hoped for. The music, although mainstream, is very interesting, mostly due to the very unique way Hall is playing, using both single notes and chords in a very unusual way, setting him apart from all other Jazz guitar players at the time. In many ways his playing was more "European" than his American counterparts, putting elegance and restraint before speed and showmanship. The overall atmosphere of this album is all about intimacy, virtuosity and sharing the love of music between the musicians and the listeners. Obviously it sounds perfectly contemporary almost five decades later and still pretty amazing today. 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: 23/05/2016

CD 1 Slipcase Remastered Recommend To A Friend

IRA KRIS ~ JAZZANOVA MPS 4029759097402 (Barcode: 4029759097402) ~ GERMANY ~ Jazz-World Fusion Recorded: 1971 Released: 2014 This is a reissue of a little known album by American guitarist / composer Ira KrisFind albums by this artist. This album was recorded in Munich, Germany where Kris worked at the time, like many of his compatriots, and features also the Venezuelan guitarist Juan RomeroFind albums by this artist and Americans: flautist Frank St. PeterFind albums by this artist, bassist Jimmy WoodeFind albums by this artist and drummer Tony InzalacoFind albums by this artist. Together the quintet plays eight tunes, six of which classic Brazilian Bossa Nova pieces and two are originals, one each by Kris and St. Peter. Brazilian music took the Jazz world by storm with the Bossa Nova explosion in the mid-1960s and although the intensity of its presence faded out in time, it was incorporated into the genre for good, being one of the first Jazz-World Fusion trends. The music on this album is more Jazz oriented than the Samba / Bossa Nova recordings done in America and presents a Jazzier attitude with many exciting solos by Kris and St, Peters. Overall, as all recordings incorporating Brazilian music, this is definitely the "lighter" and more accessible facet of the genre, which has many fans all over the world. Nevertheless the music is excellently performed and lost nothing of its charm over time. Combined with the fine sound quality that all MPSFind albums on this label productions share, this is still a very fine album, worth having in one´s collection. 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: 04/06/2016

CD 1 Slipcase Remastered Recommend To A Friend

MARK MURPHY ~ MIDNIGHT MOOD MPS 4029759124191 (Barcode: 4029759124191) ~ USA ~ Jazz Recorded: 1967 Released: 2017 This is a reissue of the only album for the MPSFind albums on this label label by American Jazz vocalist Mark MurphyFind albums by this artist, recorded with a superb octet comprising of members of the fabulous international, resident in Europe, Kenny Clarke / Francy Boland Big BandFind albums by this artist: British trumpeter Jimmy DeucharFind albums by this artist, Swedish trombonist Ake PerssonFind albums by this artist, British saxophonists Derek HumbleFind albums by this artist and Ronnie ScottFind albums by this artist, American saxophonist / flautist Sahib ShihabFind albums by this artist, Belgian pianist Francy BolandFind albums by this artist, American bassist Jimmy WoodeFind albums by this artist and drummer Kenny ClarkeFind albums by this artist. The album presents ten tracks, five of which are originals by the octet members, two of which feature lyrics written by Murphy and the remaining five are standards. The album was recorded during the decade when Murphy lived in London. The music is absolutely wonderful, as is Murphy´s extraordinary singing, which lost absolutely nothing of its power and delicate beauty over time, emphasizing the fact that Murphy remains as one of the most underrated Jazz vocalists of all times in spite of his numerous recordings over six decades. The octet provides a comfortable and superbly intelligent accompaniment to Murphy´s vocals, which includes in addition to singing lyrics also excellent vocalese statements. Spiced with short but brilliant instrumental solos, the album is an absolute delight from start to finish, a classic example of male Jazz vocals, which sadly suffer a miserable setback these days. For connoisseurs of classic Jazz vocals of the finest caliber, this album is an absolute must and considering the superb sound quality and "vintage" ambience, it is an exquisite gem! 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: 28/05/2018Posted: 24/02/2018

CD 1 Mini-Sleeve Remastered Recommend To A Friend