Record Reviews

JUTTA HIPP ~ THE GERMAN RECORDINGS 1952-1955 SWR JAZZHAUS 423 (Barcode: 730099042352) ~ GERMANY ~ Jazz Recorded: 1952 - 1955 Released: 2015 This is a brilliant collection of early recordings by the German pianist Jutta HippFind albums by this artist, made in Germany before she left the country to continue her career in the US. The material collects four sessions of radio recordings produced by Joachim BerendtFind albums by this artist and Dieter ZimmerleFind albums by this artist. Hipp is accompanied by the best Jazz musicians active at the time in Germany: saxophonists Hans KollerFind albums by this artist and Joki FreundFind albums by this artist, trombonist Albert MangelsdorffFind albums by this artist, guitarist Attila ZollerFind albums by this artist, bassists Franz RoederFind albums by this artist and Harry SchellFind albums by this artist and drummers Karl SannerFind albums by this artist and Rudi SehringFind albums by this artist. There are seventeen pieces in total on this album, most being standards with just a couple of originals, one each by Mangelsdorff and Freund. Hipp plays brilliantly on all these pieces and her presence fully justifies her extraordinary status of the great revelation of early German Jazz. Sadly shortly after her arrival in the US and recording just three albums in 1956, she abandoned music completely and disappeared from the scene. Although the music on this album comprises mostly of American Jazz standards, Hipp has a very unique approach and inserts many peculiar twists and turns, that make these standards sound differently from how they sound when performed by American musicians, which hints as to the development of European Jazz, which was about to erupt just a few years later. The music is wonderfully remastered and sounds fresh and vibrant, which turns this album not only into an important historical document but also a great fun to listen to. This album is warmly recommended to all fans of European Jazz who follow its development closely.

Updated: 31/03/2021Posted: 03/06/2016

CD 1 Digipak Remastered Recommend To A Friend

ALBERT MANGELSDORFF ~ THE JAZZ SEXTET MOOSICUS 1305 (Barcode: 885513130525) ~ GERMANY ~ Jazz Recorded: 1957 Released: 2017 This is a wonderful archival album by the German trombonist / composer / bandleader Albert MangelsdorffFind albums by this artist, recorded with his sextet, which included Hungarian (at the time resident in Germany) guitarist Attila ZollerFind albums by this artist, German drummer Karl SannerFind albums by this artist and American visiting musicians: saxophonist / flautist Bud ShankFind albums by this artist, oboist Bob CooperFind albums by this artist and bassist Gary PeacockFind albums by this artist. The sextet was expanded to a septet by the addition of American clarinetist Tony ScottFind albums by this artist, who plays on one lengthy track, which lasts for over twenty minutes, which was highly unusual at the time. The album presents seven tracks, all of which are standards. Despite the fact that the music was recorded almost seventy years ago, the sound quality is absolutely spotless. The music was recorded in 1957 by the NDR radio, at their studio in Hamburg. Starting from 1953 onwards, the NDR broadcasted regularly Jazz recorded in their studios for many years, and, as usual with the Germans, they have an enormous vault of superb music, which includes over 2000 recordings, and which hopefully will see the light of day. This album is the fifth volume of the “NDR Jazz Edition” series, which does just that. To put things in the right perspective, Mangelsdorff was just twenty-nine years old and the great Gary Peacock was only twenty-one years old. Germany was devastated by the war, but the Jazz spirit was already highly developed, and one must recognize the great role the German radio stations played in that process, which led to Germany becoming the European Jazz Mecca in just a decade later. The music is, not surprisingly, quite standard, but perfectly executed and reflects the exceptional musical abilities of the participants. Stylistically bot Bebop and Cool are well represented, and the American tradition dominates, but the Europeans were learning and soon after were about the revolutionize Jazz entirely. Overall, this is a splendid and highly enjoyable piece of European Jazz history, captured here for eternity, which explains the development path of the European Jazz, by embracing and learning the American Jazz tradition, which goes beyond being just entertainment, and becomes quite educational. Highly recommended!

Updated: 30/08/2025Posted: 30/08/2025

CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend