Record Reviews
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  | AL DE MEOLA / JOHN MCLAUGHLIN / PACO DE LUCIA ~ SATURDAY NIGHT IN SAN FRANCISCO
EAR MUSIC 4029759177913 (Barcode: 4029759177913) ~ USA ~ Jazz-World Fusion
Recorded: 1980 Released: 2022
This is a sensational archival album, which presents for the first time the material by the legendary trio of American guitarist Al Di MeolaFind albums by this artist, British guitarist John McLaughlinFind albums by this artist and Spanish guitarist Paco De LuciaFind albums by this artist, recorded at the Saturday concert following the Friday concert that produced one of the most iconic Jazz-World Fusion and Jazz Guitar albums “Friday Night In San FranciscoFind albums with this title”. The album presents seven tracks, six of which are original compositions by the trio members and one is by Brazilian guitarist / composer Luiz BonfaFind albums by this artist.
None of the compositions on this album appear on the original album, which is even more spectacular. Four of the tracks present performances by the trio and three are solo performances by each of the trio members, which is also quite different from the original album, which offered three duets and two trio performances, one recorded a few months later in the studio. In short this new album is a completely new addition to the original album, and a wonderful “missing link” to the music the trio played at the time, i.e. during the 1980 concert tour.
The music is of course everything one expects from these three Maestros, an incredible amalgam of styles and passions, which puts together Jazz, Fusion and Flamenco into one steaming pot, which works.
Overall, this music should have been released at the time as part of a double album with the original material, but better late than never, as long as it is not lost in the vault. Essential and classic stuff, which deserves to be heard and learned from. With De Lucia no longer with us, this is a tribute to his memory. Absolutely not to be missed!
| | Updated: 15/08/2022Posted: 15/08/2022 | CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend |
  | STAN GETZ ~ THE BOSSA NOVA ALBUMS
VERVE 754969 (Barcode: 602517549692) ~ USA ~ Jazz-World Fusion
Recorded: 1962 - 1963 Released: 2008
The Brazilian musical gift to the world – the Bossa Nova – is celebrating its 50th Anniversary, so it’s only natural to take a look at some classic recordings, which popularized the genre outside of its birthplace, namely the legendary Stan GetzFind albums by this artist recordings, which created a Bossa Nova craze in the US. Saxophonist Stan Getz was already an established Jazz player at the time these timeless albums were recorded, but his pioneering work with Brazilian musicians was a bold step, very unusual for the conservative US Jazz community. Although accused of commercialism and “selling out” by many of his peers and music critics, the fact that this music became so immensely popular with Jazz fans and even many non-Jazz listeners, has everything to do with the quality of the music, rather than the its accessibility. After all the Bossa Nova’s inherent beauty and mesmerizing rhythm are addictive and quite irresistible and the way Getz immersed himself totally in the music, creating a perfect amalgam of Jazz and the Brazilian music (a superb early example of Jazz-World Fusion) was phenomenal. Add to this the incredible tone of his saxophone, lush and clear, sweet as honey and yet highly intelligent and often innovative musically, and you get some classic music, which sounds forever fresh and moving, even if you heard some if it countless times before. This beautiful Box Set includes the five Bossa Nova albums Getz recorded for Verve in 1962 and 1963: “Jazz SambaFind albums with this title”, “Big Band Bossa NovaFind albums with this title”, “Jazz Samba Encore!Find albums with this title”, “Getz / GilbertoFind albums with this title” and “Getz / AlmeidaFind albums with this title”. Of these five albums, four are small combo recordings, where Getz plays opposite a guitarist: Charlie ByrdFind albums by this artist, Luiz BonfaFind albums by this artist, Joao GilbertoFind albums by this artist and Laurindo AlmeidaFind albums by this artist, respectively. The big band album features a large orchestra (with some of the best Jazz players of the time), conducted by Gary McFarlandFind albums by this artist, who also arranged the music. The legendary producer Creed TaylorFind albums by this artist produced all the albums. A few vocal tracks appear here, including the everlasting Astrud GilbertoFind albums by this artist‘s “The Girl From Ipanema”. In the 45 years that passed since these sessions were recorded, the music lost absolutely nothing of its charm and beauty and I still very much a source of great musical pleasure. Don’t get fooled by people, who label this music commercial or “sentimental”, this is essential stuff, which will outlast its critics.
| | Updated: 26/01/2019Posted: | CD 5 Digipak Box Set Remastered Essential Recommend To A Friend |
  | BADEN POWELL ~ LIVE IN BERLIN
MPS 4029759103042 (Barcode: 4029759103042) ~ BRAZIL ~ Jazz-World Fusion
Recorded: 2000 Released: 2015
This is an archival 2CD live solo guitar album by Brazilian guitarist / composer Baden PowellFind albums by this artist, recorded shortly before his death in 2000. The album presents sixteen tracks, mostly original compositions by Powell, with the rest of the tracks composed by various Brazilian representatives of the MPB (Musica Popular Brazileira), like Vinicius de MoraesFind albums by this artist, Dorival CaymmiFind albums by this artist, Tom JobimFind albums by this artist, Luiz BonfaFind albums by this artist and others and finally an arrangement of a Classical piece.
Powell was one of the great pioneers of modern Brazilian music and contributed immensely to its worldwide popularity since the mid-1960s. His virtuosity as an acoustic guitar player remains unmatched to this very day. He left Brazil and moved to France in the late 1960s, performing often around Europe and recording for European labels, including the legendary MPS label.
The music is a wonderful amalgam of Jazz and Brazilian elements, creating some of the most exciting displays of Jazz-World Fusion, in addition to blood-curdling display of guitar playing. The intimate setting and superb recording quality make this album a true gem and an exhilarating listening experience.
Overall, this is a staggering display of acoustic guitar performances by a seasoned musician, who knows exactly which strings to pull (pun intended). Powell was a legend and this album shows why he earned such status. For acoustic guitar fans and lover of Jazz with a distinct Brazilian flavor, this is an absolute must!
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: 03/12/2023Posted: 03/12/2023 | CD 2 Digipak Recommend To A Friend |
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