Record Reviews
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  | PAUL BLEY ~ THE COMPLETE REMASTERED RECORDINGS ON BLACK SAINT & SOUL NOTE
CAM JAZZ 1027 (Barcode: 8052405141064) ~ USA ~ Jazz
Recorded: 1983 - 1994 Released: 2013
This superb Box Set collects all the recordings by legendary American (Canadian by birth) pianist / composer Paul BleyFind albums by this artist released the twin Italian independent labels: Black SaintFind albums on this label and Soul NoteFind albums on this label. The set includes ten albums (one not listed on the box´s packaging and subsequently explained as a bonus album) featuring various recordings by Bley as a leader or co-leader over a span of twelve years (1983–1994) made alongside the top Jazz players active in the 1980s and 1990s and is therefore a superb document of the era.
Bley (born 1932), one of my favorite musicians of all times, was one of the pioneers of Free Jazz in the late 1950s, and continues to be a most creative and innovative figure on the American Jazz scene, although he is less active lately, no doubt due to his age. His approach to piano was always extraordinarily unique and just a few notes are usually enough to recognize his playing. In his life he released over a hundred albums, which featured the crème de la crème of Jazz musician of the last seven decades.
Bley was always a very intimate musician and clearly preferred solo, duos or trios than bigger lineups. Of the ten albums included here, one is a solo album, four are duo albums, three are trio albums, and the last two are quartet albums. The participating musicians include drummers: George Cross McDonaldFind albums by this artist, Barry AltschulFind albums by this artist, Paul MotianFind albums by this artist and Tony OxleyFind albums by this artist, bassists: Steve SwallowFind albums by this artist, Gary PeacockFind albums by this artist, Red MitchellFind albums by this artist, Charlie HadenFind albums by this artist and Furio Di CastroFind albums by this artist, guitarists John ScofieldFind albums by this artist and John AbercrombieFind albums by this artist, and finally clarinetists / saxophonists Jimmy GuiffreFind albums by this artist and Keshavan MaslakFind albums by this artist.
This music is an absolute must to all Jazz enthusiasts, and the fact that it is available again is pure joy. Bley is a genius composer and instrumentalist and his legacy is well worth to be preserved and studied by the new generation of Jazz musicians.
Remastered, mini-sleeved and with a great bargain price – this Box Set is an absolute must for any serious Jazz collector.
Side Note
The Italian independent record label Black SaintFind albums on this label was founded by the music critic / author / producer Giacomo PellicciottiFind albums by this artist in 1975. It was taken over by the producer Giovanni BonandriniFind albums by this artist in 1978 and a year later (1979) a sister label, called Soul NoteFind albums on this label, was established. The twin labels were run by Giovanni and later his son Flavio BonandriniFind albums by this artist, until they were sold in 2008 to the Italian KEPACH Music Group, which already owned the CAM JazzFind albums on this label label, and which also bought another Italian independent record label Dischi Della QuerciaFind albums on this label.
The mission of the Black Saint / Soul Note labels was to record and document the Free Jazz / Improvised Music / Avant-Garde scene, mostly from the US but also from Europe, which continued between mid 1970s and late 1990s and produced a staggering collection of almost 550 albums recorded by world's most important Jazz innovators active at the time, providing an opportunity to American (mostly Afro-American) musicians, who would have never managed to make these recordings at home, ridden by racism, alienation and closed-mindedness. Without these two labels most of this fantastic human creativity would have been never documented.
However, the Black Saint / Soul Note Box Sets produced under the CAM JazzFind albums on this label moniker are an archetypal example of how good intentions turn sour. Although these new editions often bring back to life some of the best music ever made on this planet, which in many cases has been lost in the tides of time and was unavailable on the market for ages, they suffer from an unforgivable disregard to the essence of cultural values and general sloppiness, contrary to human decency, which requires us to treat our cultural legacy with respect and loyalty.
These Box Sets have no booklet which presents researched historical background and exact discographical information of the albums included, and most importantly an overview of the music and its meaning and contribution to the Jazz Art form. Although the original LP sleeves are reproduced, the information is in most cases too small to be readable at all. In short the fact that these Box Sets are meant to be inexpensive, does not mean that they have to be cheap!
| | Updated: 05/05/2020Posted: 26/12/2015 | CD 10 Mini-Sleeve Box Set Remastered Essential Recommend To A Friend |
  | STEPHAN BRAUN / MATEUSZ SMOCZYNSKI ~ KEEP ON TURNIN`
ZBIGNIEW SEIFERT FOUNDATION 6 (Barcode: 5907222048061) ~ GERMANY ~ Jazz
Recorded: 2019 Released: 2020
This is the debut album by the Jazz duo comprising of German cellist Stephan BraunFind albums by this artist and Polish violinist Mateusz SmoczynskiFind albums by this artist. The album presents eleven pieces, two of which are original compositions (one each), one is a standard and the rest are arrangements of Funk / Fusion compositions, arranged by Braun (except for two arranged by Smoczynski).
The limited instrumentation does not seem to have any meaning as far as the duo is concerned, and with the help of some percussive trinkets and little electronics the duo sounds like a full orchestra, very far from the timid image of the string instruments.
The idea to concentrate on the well known Funk / Fusion pieces, originally performed by such masters of genre like Billy CobhamFind albums by this artist, Brecker BrothersFind albums by this artist, Steps AheadFind albums by this artist, John ScofieldFind albums by this artist and others, is especially surprising and creates a delightful and completely different treatment of the familiar music presented in a new environment. The newly arranged music does not miss an iota of the original Funkiness and feel and still sounds like it could move mountains. Smoczynski, not surprisingly, pays tribute to his idol, the Polish violin virtuoso Zbigniew SeifertFind albums by this artist, by including one tune from Seifert´s iconic album "Man Of The LightFind albums with this title".
Obviously these radical new arrangements and instrumentation disclose new aspects of the music, which might have been previously hidden from the ear, as well as showcase the incredible virtuosity of the two participants, which is unparalleled. The album proudly joins the highly respected idiom of "Art of the Duo", which often produces more enthralling music than much larger ensembles.
Overall this is a brilliant piece of highly unusual music, superbly executed and intelligently put together, which emphasizes the sophistication of European Jazz at its best. Hopefully this recording will not be the only record of this duo´s abilities and talents. Hats off Gentlemen!
| | Updated: 08/01/2021Posted: 08/01/2021 | CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend |
  | MILES DAVIS ~ THAT`S WHAT HAPPENED 1982-1985: THE BOOTLEG SERIES VOL.7
COLUMBIA 194398638522 (Barcode: 194398638522) ~ USA ~ Jazz
Recorded: 1982 - 1985 Released: 2022
This is the 7th installment of the “Bootleg Series recordings by American trumpeter / composer / bandleader / visionary Miles DavisFind albums by this artist, released by ColumbiaFind albums on this label Records. It presents previously unreleased material by Davis, captured during the period following his return to recording and performing after a five years long hiatus (1975-1980). It follows the previous installment in the series, which was released in 2018 and offers 3 CDs of studio and live material.
CD1 presents material recorded during the “Star PeopleFind albums with this title” sessions in late 1982 and early 1983, with saxophonist Bill EvansFind albums by this artist, trombonist J.J. JohnsonFind albums by this artist, guitarist Mike SternFind albums by this artist, bass guitarist Marcus MillerFind albums by this artist, drummer Al FosterFind albums by this artist and percussionist Mino CineluFind albums by this artist. Additionally, two tracks are from the “DecoyFind albums with this title” sessions from 1983, with guitarist John ScofieldFind albums by this artist, bass guitarist Darryl JonesFind albums by this artist, drum programing by Robert Irving IIIFind albums by this artist and Cinelu.
CD2 presents material recorded during the “You`re Under ArrestFind albums with this title” sessions between January 1984 and January 1985, with saxophonist Bob BergFind albums by this artist, Scofield or John McLaughlinFind albums by this artist, Irving (on keyboards), Jones, Foster or Vince Wilburn, Jr.Find albums by this artist on drums and percussionist Steve ThorntonFind albums by this artist.
CD3 presents a live recording from July 7, 1983 captured at the Montreal Jazz Festival, with Scofield, Evans, Jones, Cinelu and Foster.
The music is all by Davis, except for the interpretation of a Cindy LauperFind albums by this artist song, and illustrates the transition period between the decades of recording for Columbia, with the last three albums on that label, and the explosive career of the “new” Miles Davis following his signing with Warner Bros.Find albums on this label and the release of “TutuFind albums with this title”, and the last years of his life (1986-1991).
Overall, as usual with any archival material by Miles Davis, the music is absolutely Godly, stressing again his unshaken position as the greatest Jazz musician of all time. Although the music does not reveal any surprising elements, it affirms his status, and for every Davis’ follower on this planet is absolutely essential.
| | Updated: 31/12/2024Posted: 26/10/2022 | CD 3 Mini-Sleeve Box Set Remastered Recommend To A Friend |
  | MILES DAVIS ~ WARSAW CONCERT 1983
IMMORTAL 104243 (Barcode: 8712177056620) ~ USA ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion
Recorded: 1983 Released: 2010
The importance of this music stretches far beyond the fact that this is music played by the great Miles DavisFind albums by this artist during the last decade of his life, when his playing was rejuvenated and full of creative powers again. This unique recording was captured during the Warsaw´s Jazz Jamboree festival, Easter Europe´s most important Jazz even for several decades during the Socialist regime. In fact Warsaw´s JJ was almost the only Jazz Festival where Eastern European Jazz enthusiast could hear Western Jazz musicians live. The fact that the JJ festival was able to bring Miles Davis over, during a renewed peak of his world popularity and against all odds (economic, political, etc.), is a miracle and the fascinating story behind the scenes is worthy of a movie script. I´ve been privileged to be a part of this story, but that is well beyond the scope of these notes. The music presents Miles accompanied by an ensemble of young and talented musicians, which consists of saxophonist Bill EvansFind albums by this artist, guitarist John ScofieldFind albums by this artist, keyboardist Robert Irving IIIFind albums by this artist, bassist Darryl JonesFind albums by this artist, drummer Al FosterFind albums by this artist and percussionist Mino CineluFind albums by this artist. They play the material that Miles preferred at the time, which is funky rhythmically, but quite complex harmonically. There is plenty of space for extended improvisations, with Miles playing more than he did in a long time, blowing the listeners away every time. In retrospect the music sounds as good today as it did at the time, which once again confirms Miles´ genius and prophetic vision of music. Since this is not a part of the Miles´ Columbia output, it is much more difficult to find. Great stuff!
| | | CD 2 Digipak Recommend To A Friend |
  | MICHAEL GIBBS BAND ~ SYMPHONY HALL, BIRMINGHAM 1991
DUSK FIRE 116 (Barcode: 5065001032677) ~ UK ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion
Recorded: 1991 Released: 2018
This in an archival release presenting a live recording by a band led by the British trombonist / composer / bandleader Michael GibbsFind albums by this artist, which comprises of fourteen British and American Jazz musicians, who play music composed by Gibbs and John ScofieldFind albums by this artist. The Brits include such legendary musicians as trumpeter Kenny WheelerFind albums by this artist, pianist John TaylorFind albums by this artist, saxophonists Tony CoeFind albums by this artist and (then very young) Julian ArguellesFind albums by this artist, trombonist Chris PyneFind albums by this artist and others and the American guests include guitarist / composer John Scofield, bassist Steve SwallowFind albums by this artist and drummer Bill StewartFind albums by this artist. The concert captured on this album was the tenth of a twelve concert UK 1991 tour. It presents eleven pieces, seven of which were composed by Scofield and arranged by Gibbs and four were Gibbs´ compositions.
Gibbs shows a consistent affinity towards the guitar and guitar players throughout his entire musical career. His early albums featured British guitarists like Chris SpeddingFind albums by this artist and Ray RussellFind albums by this artist, later on he included in his bands the Belgian guitarist Philip CatherineFind albums by this artist, and then Americans like Scofield, Hiram BullockFind albums by this artist and Bill FrisellFind albums by this artist. Scorching guitar solos and a Rocky feel are therefore a habitual part of Gibbs´ musical DNA and this album is no exception. The Scofield tunes originate from his debut album for the Blue NoteFind albums on this label label "Time On My HandsFind albums with this title" and from the follow up "Meant To BeFind albums with this title", as well as from the still unreleased at the time of the concert next album "Grace Under PressureFind albums with this title". A couple of the Gibbs tunes were premiered during these concerts.
Musically the album follows the "typical" Gibbs´ patterns, with the brass fanfares and swinging background sections, which slowly step back to make space for the soloists, and eventually come back to wrap things up. There are plenty of opportunities for almost everybody to play a solo and the tightly swinging rhythm section keeps everything exactly in check. Naturally Scofield is given the most extensive soloing space and he delivers everything one might expect from him.
This album, as all the albums released on the Dusk FireFind albums on this label label, under the watchful eyes of Peter MuirFind albums by this artist, is a tremendous document of British Jazz history, and is an invaluable addition to any British Jazz collection. The fact that this album features also American musicians makes it no less British, as it is after all Gibbs who sets the tone here, even if Scofield is the front person most of the time. Comparing this music with the versions recorded by Scofield on his solo albums reveals the differences in musical depth and perception, revealing the fact that a British flavor, zing and zest are able to turn pretty straightforward American music into a tasty dish.
The excellent sound quality of this recording makes this album even more desirable than it appears to be at the first glance and of course it is wholeheartedly recommended to all British Jazz connoisseurs, who are still alive and kicking in spite of the statistical truth pointing elsewhere.
| | Updated: 29/05/2018Posted: 22/05/2018 | CD 2 Mini-Sleeve Remastered Recommend To A Friend |
  | MICHEL GIBBS ORCHESTRA ~ BY THE WAY
AH UM 016 (Barcode: 5017771102029) ~ UK ~ Jazz
Recorded: 1993 Released: 1993
This is an album by British Jazz trombonist / composer / arranger / bandleader Michael GibbsFind albums by this artist and his Anglo-American Orchestra commemorating the orchestra´s 25th Anniversary. The members of the orchestra include many of the top British Jazz players, like trumpeter Kenny WheelerFind albums by this artist, saxophonist Evan ParkerFind albums by this artist, pianist John TaylorFind albums by this artist, drummer John MarshallFind albums by this artist and the young (at the time) saxophonist Julian ArguellesFind albums by this artist and guitarists Mike WalkerFind albums by this artist and John ParricelliFind albums by this artist. The Americans include saxophonist Charlie MarianoFind albums by this artist, bassist Steve SwallowFind albums by this artist and drummer Bob MosesFind albums by this artist. The album presents eleven original compositions, all by Gibbs, which span the entire 25 years period, some of which already appeared on earlier recordings and other that are performed here for the first time.
Gibbs´ followers will find this album consistent with his earlier recordings and with his unique orchestral approach and sound colors. Gibbs treats the orchestra like a palette and paints bright sound vistas with zest and vivid imagination. As usual the pieces allow for extensive soloing, which on this album reaches many remarkable peaks. Gibbs´ affinity to Rock is also evident, as is his tendency to feature the guitar as one of the main ingredients of the orchestra with plenty of soloing, which on this album is performed by Walker, who has a profound Bluesy feel and sensitivity.
Overall this is another superb album by a great Master of the orchestral Jazz idiom, who had very few parallels over the years and still dominates the scene today. This music lost nothing of its power or beauty over time and is a great document of the period, similar to the recently released album with the Gibbs Orchestra featuring John ScofieldFind albums by this artist from 1991 ("Symphony Hall, Birmingham 1991Find albums with this title").
This is one of the most obscure albums by Michael Gibbs, probably due to the fact that it was released by the short lived small independent British Ah UmFind albums on this label label, founded by musician / producer Nick PurnellFind albums by this artist, and has been available for many years. Wholeheartedly recommended and if you can dig it out somehow, don´t even think twice – grab it as it is worth its weight in gold!
Side Note
British composer / arranger Nick PurnellFind albums by this artist founded the short-lived Ah UmFind albums on this label label in 1989, which existed until 1993 and released a total of sixteen albums with some of the top British Jazz musicians of that period and a few American guests, which remain as of the finest recordings of that period. For some inexplicable reason all these albums are almost completely obsolete today, despite their excellent musical value, which is a shame, as they all deserve an honorable place in any decent British Jazz collection.
| | Updated: 11/02/2025Posted: 29/05/2018 | CD 1 Recommend To A Friend |
  | HERBIE HANCOCK ~ THE NEW STANDARD
VERVE 988403 (Barcode: 602498840351) ~ USA ~ Jazz
Recorded: 1996 Released: 2005
After playing jazz standards throughout all his life (in addition to original music of course), Herbie HancockFind albums by this artist decided to record an album dedicated to his rendition of contemporary Pop songs, which in his opinion deserve to enter the standard songbook. The BeatlesFind albums by this artist, Steve WonderFind albums by this artist and scores of other songwriters active since the 1960’s composed thousands of songs worthy of becoming classics, yet the jazz standards to this day are mostly tunes written in the first half of the 20th century. Hancock selected a dreamy sextet of some of the best contemporary jazz Masters to take part in this recording, with Michael BreckerFind albums by this artist – sax, John ScofieldFind albums by this artist – guitar, Dave HollandFind albums by this artist – bass, Jack DeJohnetteFind albums by this artist – drums and Don AliasFind albums by this artist – percussion. He takes the original tunes quite far from the source, transforming them into jazz with masterful touch and divine sensibility. Of course all the players perform beautifully, with Hancock taking a few fiery solos and so do Brecker and Scofield. The rhythm section provides solid and sophisticated background and the entire session just swings like there is no tomorrow. Absolutely delightful!
| | | CD 1 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 |
  | WARREN WOLF ~ CONVERGENCE
MACK AVENUE 1105 (Barcode: 673203110526) ~ USA ~ Jazz
Recorded: 2016 Released: 2016
This is an album by American vibraphonist / composer Warren WolfFind albums by this artist, recorded with a stellar lineup, which features pianist Brad MehldauFind albums by this artist (on five tunes), guitarist John ScofieldFind albums by this artist (on two tunes), bassist Christian McBrideFind albums by this artist and drummer Jeff WattsFind albums by this artist. It presents eleven tracks, six of which are original compositions by Wolf and five are standards (the last tune is a medley of a standard and a Classical piece).
Sadly the stellar lineup is unable to save this album from the terrible boredom that it offers to the listener. In fact this album epitomizes everything that is wrong with American Jazz: it is outdated, unimaginable, derivative and simply tedious. The original compositions are unremarkable and the standards played here offer absolutely nothing that was not already stated thousands of times before. No ambition, no imagination, no effort…
Of course these musicians can play, and they do play very well, but the result remains dull and unimpressive, similar to thousands of other mainstream American albums recorded every year and all sounding exactly the same. The two tracks with Scofield at least offer his remarkable power of expression, but that is by far not enough to save this album from complete failure.
The funny thing is of course reading the reviews of this album, written by American critics (look them up). They all think this album is remarkable, outstanding and fabulous, which of course goes to show that the entire American Jazz scene is simply completely hypocritical and rotten. Saying that Wolf is the next Milt JacksonFind albums by this artist or Bobby HutchersonFind albums by this artist is an insult to these two great pioneers. Wolf plays well technically but his playing offers no innovation or progress which was the trademark of all great vibraphonists (or Jazz musicians in general) before him.
In short this is just another boring American mainstream album, which sounds nice and lets the listener tap his feet to the steady rhythm, requiring zero intellectual effort to listen to the music, which simply washes off the listener´s mind instantly when the music is over.
| | Updated: 04/11/2016Posted: 04/11/2016 | CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend |
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