Record Reviews

MANFRED PAUL WEINBERGER / RAPHAEL PAUL MEINHART ~ COMING FROM WITTINGHOF ATS 1010 (Barcode: 9005216010103) ~ AUSTRIA ~ Jazz Recorded: 2023 Released: 2024 This is a duo album by two Austrian Jazz musicians: trumpeter / composer Manfred Paul WeinbergerFind albums by this artist and vibraphonist / composer Raphael Paul MeinhartFind albums by this artist. The album presents ten tracks, eight of which were composed by Weinberger and two by Meinhart. The sound of the duo is quite unusual, as expected, and gets a while to get used to, but the interplay and communication between these two musicians is immediately apparent. The music is all well organized, with coherent melodic / harmonic structures, which serve as a vehicle to allow the two musicians to exchange licks, communicate, improvise in turn and in tandem, in short create a dialog in the “Art of the Duo” tradition. Despite the age difference between the two musicians, there is certainly no generation gap between them, and the mutual respect and understanding seem to be working perfectly. A few minutes into the music the listener’s ears get used to the somewhat unfamiliar sound and everything falls into place. The minimalism of this music is a virtue and allows the listener to concentrate on what is played and perhaps even fill the blanks, since silence is an integral part of this music. It seems that Weinberger is an enthusiast of the Jazz duo format, since I have already reviewed two other albums with him in that format, all equally fascinating and rewarding. But of course he also plays with bigger ensembles and even the great Upper Austrian Jazz OrchestraFind albums by this artist, which I absolutely love. Overall, this is somewhat atypical “Art of the Duo” album, with an uncommon meeting of two instruments rarely heard together, but which manages to bridge the sound differences and create fascinating music, which is original and ear-opening. Wholeheartedly recommended!

Updated: 24/02/2024Posted: 24/02/2024

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MANFRED PAUL WEINBERGER / STEPHAN BRAUN ~ CONFIDENCE ATS 0979 (Barcode: 9005216009794) ~ AUSTRIA ~ Jazz Recorded: 2021 Released: 2022 This is an album by the duo comprising of Austrian trumpeter / composer Manfred Paul WeinbergerFind albums by this artist and German cellist / composer Stephan BraunFind albums by this artist. The album presents twelve tracks, ten of which are original compositions (seven by Weinberger and three by Braun) and two are Jazz standards (one by Thelonious MonkFind albums by this artist and another by Kenny WheelerFind albums by this artist). The music is a classic “Art of the Duo” setting, which manages to overcome the obvious limitations and despite the minimalist format creates rich and diverse musical vistas. The fact that Braun applies many different techniques to his 5-string cello, making it sound like several different instruments, as well as his use of some electronics and percussion, add up to a much more versatile effect that expected. As a result, the music flows and changes continuously, keeping the listener on his toes. Weinberger is an excellent trumpeter and this minimalist setting does not limit him at all, enabling him to utilize his wonderfully lyrical tone and brilliant technique. Overall, this is a very pleasant and highly interesting album, which takes the listener to visit and experience a wide range of moods and tonalities, and despite the unusual instrumentation is able to sound familiar and absorbing. For Jazz listeners, who like the duo setting, this is especially a worthwhile new experience, but all Jazz listeners should find here something to their liking. Warmly recommended!

Updated: 23/02/2022Posted: 23/02/2022

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MANFRED PAUL WEINBERGER NONET ~ IN PRESENCE OF KENNY WHEELER ATS 0970 (Barcode: 9005216009701) ~ AUSTRIA ~ Big Band Jazz Recorded: 2020 Released: 2021 This is an album by Austrian trumpeter / composer Manfred Paul WeinbergerFind albums by this artist and his nonet, which comprises of members of the Upper Austrian Jazz OrchestraFind albums by this artist, including saxophonist Christian MaurerFind albums by this artist and pianist Helmar HillFind albums by this artist among others. As the title suggests, the album is a tribute to the Canadian born British trumpeter / composer Kenny WheelerFind albums by this artist, who cooperated with the UAJO and recorded the splendid “Plays The Music Of Kenny WheelerFind albums with this title” album with the orchestra in 1995. The album presents nine original compositions, eight by Weinberger and one by Hill. The liner notes by another UAJO collaborator, British composer / arranger Michael GibbsFind albums by this artist, sum the essence of this project astutely. The nonet sounds much like a condensed version of the UAJO and offers all of its advantages: brilliant ensemble performances, excellent soloing and above all great compositions, which, as Gibbs says, would surely please Wheeler as well. The modern European Jazz approach, which uses the wonderful palette of a bigger ensemble to the max is the chief asset of this music, which enables it to sound fresh and innovative. For experienced listeners there are plenty of hidden typical quotations and hints to Wheeler’s way of doing things as well as Jazz tradition of course, but also European Classical treasures, one openly stated (Edvard GriegFind albums by this artist) and others subtly hidden in the shadows. Weinberger’s compositions offer a wide scope of approaches, both melodically and harmonically, with various degrees of proximity to the Jazz tradition, which of course also characterized Wheeler’s splendid output over the years. There is of course no shame in admitting the great Master’s influence, which Weinberger emphasizes in his short essay included in the album’s booklet. Overall, this is an excellent European Jazz album, which although recorded by "only” a nonet, firmly resides in the Jazz Big Band idiom and which does that wonderful genre a credit. Full of great music and brilliant performances, this album is a true pleasure to listen to, and more importantly also to find many original approaches, which large Jazz ensembles have to offer. Warmly recommended!

Updated: 12/05/2023Posted: 23/09/2021

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MANFRED PAUL WEINBERGER / RAHUL WADHWANI ~ EXPLORATIONS BEYOND THE BORDERS ATS 0986 (Barcode: 9005216009862) ~ AUSTRIA ~ Jazz Recorded: 2022 Released: 2022 This is a duo album by Austrian Jazz trumpeter / composer Manfred Paul WeinbergerFind albums by this artist and Indian Jazz pianist / composer Rahul WadhwaniFind albums by this artist. The album presents ten tracks, three of which are original compositions by Weinberger, another three are original compositions by Wadhwani and four are Jazz standards. Since their meeting back in 2014 Weinberger and Wadhwani met and played together several times and this album is a result of their mutual experiences. The intimate duo setting enables to hear ideally their close musical rapport, and the unusual trumpet / piano duo sets an atmosphere, which moves far beyond the usual Jazz borders. Wadhwani does not refer in his music to the Indian music tradition, at least not explicitly, and his piano playing displays a mixture of European and American traditions, so to a listener not aware of his background the Indian element is lost, which of course is not important in the case of this duo, which is all about interplay and balance between the two participants and their love of Jazz, creating a great example of the “Art of the Duo” idiom. Overall, this is a document of an intimate collaboration between two musicians, who love a good melody and are able to improvise together, creating a lovely, very melodic and relaxed musical journey, which Jazz listeners can enjoy in full. As usual, the music emphasizes the fact that borders are completely meaningless in Art.

Updated: 14/10/2022Posted: 14/10/2022

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