Record Reviews

ARETHA FRANKLIN ~ TAKE A LOOK - THE COMPLETE ON COLUMBIA SONY 886979313125 (Barcode: 886979313125) ~ USA ~ Jazz Recorded: 1960 - 1966 Released: 2011 American singer Aretha FranklinFind albums by this artist, one of the true divas of the music scene and the Queen of Soul, as she was crowned in the late 1960s, is mostly known for her legendary recordings on the AtlanticFind albums by this artist label, where the majority of her great hit singles and albums were released during her peak decade (1967-1976). However, before she signed with Atlantic, she spent seven years with ColumbiaFind albums by this artist records (1960-1966), where her initial career was shaped. She recorded eleven fabulous albums for Columbia, one of which was actually never released and sees the light of day for the first time in this Box Set. Columbia envisaged Franklin primarily as a Jazz singer, and the entire production, arrangements and choice of repertoire for her albums was aimed at that direction, at least initially blind to her potential as a Rhythm And Blues and Soul genius she truly was. But Franklin was always a superb singer with extraordinary sensitivity and amazing talent and the Columbia recordings are all absolute gems, which sound even better in retrospect. Accompanied by the best Jazz players of the period (the list of credits reads as the who´s who of the Jazz scene at the time), both in combo and orchestra formats, she performs beautifully singing Jazz, Blues, Gospel and some early (for her) Pop and Soul material, with the successive albums clearly showing the slow metamorphosis of her musical persona towards her true vocation. Produced by some of the most legendary music producers of the time, such as the John HammondFind albums by this artist, Clyde OtisFind albums by this artist and others, these are true gems, which prove to be absolutely timeless. This wonderful Box Set includes all the eleven albums Franklin recorded for Columbia, remastered and expanded with a plethora of bonus tracks. It also includes a DVD with Franklin´s 1964 TV show and a beautifully researched and designed booklet. It is an individually numbered limited edition release. This is a wonderful piece of music history, which should make any owner of a serious music collection proud. Hopefully all these sets will find good homes, as they surely don´t make music like this any more. Respect!

Updated: 08/05/2023Posted:

CD+DVD 12 Mini-Sleeve Box Set Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend

ADAM MAKOWICZ ~ A HANDFUL OF STARS CHIAROSCURO 209 (Barcode: 091454020928) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 1981 Released: 1997 This is a little known and sort of a “lost” album by Polish pianist / composer Adam MakowiczFind albums by this artist, recorded in 1981 but released only sixteen years later in 1997, for reasons aptly explained in the album’s booklet. The album was produced by the legendary John HammondFind albums by this artist, who was also responsible for the first album Makowicz recorded in the US, and features Makowicz in a relatively rare piano trio setting, with two superb instrumentalists: Czech bassist (and another émigré) George MrazFind albums by this artist and American drummer Jack DeJohnetteFind albums by this artist. The album presents eleven tracks, which are a usual mixture of Makowicz originals (four) and Jazz standards. A twelfth (hidden) track is a spoken word track, on which Makowicz tell the story of his life and career. The music is a brilliant display of Makowicz incredible technique and captures him shortly after his arrival in the US, when his playing was still influenced to some degree by his Polish tradition and Slavic lyricism, which almost completely disappeared in the years to come. As already mentioned, it is a rare trio setting as Makowicz definitely prefers solo piano outings. The album is closely linked to the “From My WindowFind albums with this title” solo piano album, also recorded in 1981 the duo recording “Classic Jazz DuetsFind albums with this title” with Mraz, recorded in 1982, as well as “The Name Is MakowiczFind albums with this title” quintet recording from 1983, all of which present his work from that period. It is no wonder that Makowicz managed to win the hearts of the American audiences and critic alike, since his treatment of the American Jazz tradition sounds completely familiar and orthodox, spiced of course with his virtuosic technique and genuine love of the music, and his original compositions are fully in the vein of American standards, many of which were composed by composers of Polish heritage, like Bronislaw KaperFind albums by this artist, Victor YoungFind albums by this artist or Henryk WarsFind albums by this artist, a fact American listeners had no clue about of course. Mraz and DeJohnette play splendidly, as expected, and the classic Jazz piano trio format proves to be unbeatable again. Overall, this is a splendid opportunity to hear Makowicz in a trio setting and explore the early stages of his US career. The music stands the test of time splendidly and should be a delightful experience to every mainstream Jazz lover. For Polish Jazz collectors this is an absolute must, although it is not easy to find a copy these days.

Updated: 25/07/2023Posted: 25/07/2023

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