Record Reviews

BOB BROOKMEYER & KENNY WHEELER ~ ISLAND ARTISTS HOUSE 0006 (Barcode: 827867000628) ~ USA ~ Jazz Recorded: 2002 Released: 2003 This is a wonderful and criminally little known album by American trombonist Bob BrookmeyerFind albums by this artist and British (of Canadian origin) trumpeter Kenny WheelerFind albums by this artist, recorded in a quintet setting with American (of Finnish origin) pianist Frank CarlbergFind albums by this artist, bassist Jeremy AllenFind albums by this artist and drummer John HollenbeckFind albums by this artist. The album presents seven original compositions, four by Wheeler and three by Brookmeyer. The CD comes accompanied by a bonus DVD, which includes high resolution mixes, a documentary about the recording, Artists interviews and other goodies. This is the first cooperation between Brookmeyer and Wheeler, but the obvious mutual respect and affinity, combined by extensive experience, results in a superb dialogue between the two, which culminates in the duo improvisations but is present throughout the album´s entire duration. The excellent rhythm section is ideally suited to put the two veterans on the foreground but support them superbly with unobtrusive performance, which includes elegant soloing. The music is all within mainstream Jazz idiom, soaked with the typical Wheeler´s melancholy, which is instantly recognizable in his compositions and Brookmeyer´s cool, which dominates his compositions. All the compositions fit ideally into a coherent whole, which reflects the Jazz aesthetics at its best, as well as the many years of experience these two Masters share. Although perhaps somewhat less challenging than Wheeler´s European recordings (on ECMFind albums on this label and other European labels), this music is by no means less elegant or artistically fulfilling, displaying simply another facet of his Jazz universe. I can´t imagine any true Wheeler connoisseur who could consider not having this superb album on his collection. Overall this is an absolute marvel of an album, which should keep every Jazz lover on this planet happy. Sadly this is extremely difficult to find these days, but absolutely worth the effort!

Updated: 30/06/2020Posted: 30/06/2020

CD+DVD 2 Audiophile Recommend To A Friend

JOHN HOLLENBECK / JAZZ BIG BAND GRAZ ~ JOYS & DESIRES INTUITION 33862 (Barcode: 750447338623) ~ CANADA ~ Big Band Jazz Recorded: 2004 Released: 2005 This is an album by Canadian (Born in USA) drummer / composer / bandleader John HollenbeckFind albums by this artist, recorded with the Jazz Big Band GrazFind albums by this artist and German vocalist Theo BleckmannFind albums by this artist. The album presents seven tracks, including a three-part suite, all of which are original compositions by Hollenbeck. The Big Band features some of top German and Austrian Jazz musicians, including saxophonists Christian BachnerFind albums by this artist and Klaus GesingFind albums by this artist, trombonist Robert BachnerFind albums by this artist and others. The music is a highly interesting collection of unusual compositions, which are obviously stimulating for any Big Band, but in this case the performers seem to be fully accomplished and the result is very impressive. The mixture of elements, which includes contemporary Classical music and Jazz, with some Avant-Garde tonal tendencies, creates a total ambience, which many Jazz listeners might find too challenging for their palate, but which is definitely worth investigating to expand one’s perception of Orchestral / Jazz Big Band music. Overall, this is a highly unusual Jazz Big Band album, which might surprise even the most experienced listeners, and which obviously requires open-mindedness and patience, before the complex sounds start to make sense. The effort is definitely worth it!

Updated: 13/11/2026Posted: 13/11/2026

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend