Record Reviews

AL DI MEOLA ~ ORANGE AND BLUE WOUNDED BIRD 9197 (Barcode: 664140919723) ~ USA ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion Recorded: 1994 Released: 2005 Although concentration mostly on acoustic projects, Al Di MeolaFind albums by this artist’s love for the electric guitar remains intact, as does his ability to use it. This incredible record brings Di Meola back to his familiar Fusion / Jazz environment and with the help of some of the best musicians on the scene at the time (Peter ErskineFind albums by this artist / Steve GaddFind albums by this artist – drums, Marc JohnsonFind albums by this artist – bass and many others including the Israeli singer NoaFind albums by this artist and Greek superstar George DalarasFind albums by this artist) he produces a highly spirited album. The music, composed almost entirely by Di Meola, is of the highest quality, mixing superbly Fusion, Jazz and World elements. The guitar parts are elegant and dazzling, as always and the entire crew follows the leader supplying sympathetic support, which compliments his playing with excellence. In short this is one of those albums that never let you down and repeated listening presents no danger of boredom whatsoever. Highly recommended!

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend

BILL EVANS ~ ALBUM (EXPANDED EDITION) COLUMBIA 64963 (Barcode: 5099706496328) ~ USA ~ Jazz Recorded: 1971 Released: 1996 The history of jazz is crowned by a small pantheon of stellar figures, which are (more or less) unequivocally accepted as the most prominent contributors to the development of the genre. Miles DavisFind albums by this artist and John ColtraneFind albums by this artist are members of that exclusive club and so is Bill EvansFind albums by this artist, the most influential jazz pianist ever. Since Evans’ biography is available from many sources, I won’t go into it here, so here are just a few personal comments: Although Evens played in a variety of settings, he surely deserves the title of inventor of the piano trio, a format in which most of his exceptional work was done. Over the years Evans led a series of legendary trios with the most eloquent bass and drums players, primarily noticeable for the phenomenal and telepathic level of interplay between the trio members. His (fortunately) numerable trio recordings are not only a document of his exceptional sensibility and lyricism as a player and composer, but also cornerstones of musical collaboration. Starting from the first trio (1959) with Scott LaFaroFind albums by this artist and Paul MotianFind albums by this artist and up to the last moments of his life (1980) with Marc JohnsonFind albums by this artist and Joe LaBarberaFind albums by this artist, the trio recording have always been the safest bets on musical delight one might ever take when buying a jazz album. This particular album, recorded with legends Eddie GomezFind albums by this artist on bass and Marty MorellFind albums by this artist on drums, is very important in Evans’ history. It includes his first contributions on the electric piano (a custom-made version of the Fender Rhodes), which he will explore more extensively later in his career. It also includes exclusively his own compositions, as opposed to his treatments of jazz standards, which were earlier the bulk of his recording material. This was the first of the only two albums Evans recorded for ColumbiaFind albums on this label – the other (“Living Time”) still awaiting a proper reissue. I can’t imagine anybody who loves jazz (or in fact anybody who loves music) ignoring this album, so if you still don’t have it – now is your chance. Absolutely essential!

Updated: 01/03/2024Posted:

CD 1 Remastered Bonus Tracks Essential Recommend To A Friend

BILL EVANS ~ INNER SPIRIT: THE 1979 CONCERT AT THE TEATRO GENERAL SAN MARTIN, BUENOS AIRES RESONANCE 2062 (Barcode: 617270122808) ~ USA ~ Jazz Recorded: 1979 Released: 2022 This is another archival album by the greatest Jazz pianist of all time, Bill EvansFind albums by this artist, recorded with his last trio with bassist Marc JohnsonFind albums by this artist and drummer Joe LaBarberaFind albums by this artist. The 2CD album presents thirteen tracks, recorded on September 27, 1979, almost exactly a year before Evans’ untimely death. This album is a companion release to the album “Morning Glory: The 1973 Concert At The Teatro Gran Rex, Buenos AiresFind albums with this title”, which was recorded six years earlier with a different trio. It also features an extended booklet with interviews with Johnson, LaBarbera and others and other background information. The album offers absolutely brilliant sound recording quality, with every little nuance perfectly audible, which of course adds the pleasure of listening to this album. As usual, the brilliant telepathic communication between the trio members prevails over everything. Evans’ trios were always an exquisite example of collective music creation, and although Evans was at the center of attention, the role of creating the music and the responsibility was equally spread between the trio members, in contrast to the usual leader / sidemen formula. These late recordings with his last trio show Evans still at his best, but quite different from his classic earlier recordings, with much more intense and almost “busy” playing, far from the delicate, lyrical performances in his earlier days. Johnson’s incredible support on the bass is absolutely stunning, although again very different from his predecessors in the trio, as is the energetic playing by LaBarbera. Overall, this is a wonderful addition to the Bill Evans recorded legacy, covering his live appearances in Argentina. For the many Evans’ followers it is of course a must, and although it does not reveal anything previously not captured on record, it is certainly a superb piece of Jazz history.

Updated: 01/03/2024Posted: 01/03/2024

CD 2 Digipak Remastered Recommend To A Friend

LEE KONITZ ~ THE COMPLETE REMASTERED RECORDINGS ON BLACK SAINT & SOUL NOTE CAM JAZZ 1011 (Barcode: 8052405140074) ~ USA ~ Jazz Recorded: 1984 - 1992 Released: 2011 This superb Box Set collects all the albums recorded by the legendary US saxophonist / composer Lee KonitzFind albums by this artist on the twin Italian independent labels: Black SaintFind albums on this label and Soul NoteFind albums on this label. Konitz needs no introduction to any serious Jazz connoisseur; suffice to say that from the early days with Lennie TristanoFind albums by this artist and than Miles DavisFind albums by this artist to this very day he never stopped developing and astounding his audiences. Being a very prolific musician and bandleader, Konitz recorded a vast number of albums over the years cooperating with the most distinguished Jazz musicians around the globe. His virtuosic sax playing and excellent compositions are always a source of great musical joy. The musicians playing on these five albums include: drummer Billy HartFind albums by this artist, pianist Kenny WernerFind albums by this artist, bassist Ron McClureFind albums by this artist, bassist Marc JohnsonFind albums by this artist, drummer Adam NussbaumFind albums by this artist and many others. Remastered, mini-sleeved, and with a great bargain price – this Box Set 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! Visitors' Comments Christopher  Brice Lovely - led me to areas of Konitz´s work I did not know

Updated: 12/04/2020Posted:

CD 5 Mini-Sleeve Box Set Remastered Recommend To A Friend

ADAM MAKOWICZ ~ THE NAME IS MAKOWICZ (MA-KO-VITCH) SHEFFIELD LAB 21 (Barcode: 014391002123) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 1983 Released: 2003 This is a reissue of the album by Polish pianist / composer Adam MakowiczFind albums by this artist, recorded and released in the US by the prestigious Hi-Fi record label Sheffield LabFind albums on this label. The music was recorded in a quintet setting with saxophonist Phil WoodsFind albums by this artist, vibraphonist Gene EstesFind albums by this artist, bassist Marc JohnsonFind albums by this artist and drummer Bill GoodwinFind albums by this artist. The album presents eight tracks, seven of which are original compositions by Makowicz and one is a standard. Makowicz left Poland in 1977, settling first in NY and later moving to Toronto, Canada. He is the only Polish Jazz musician, who managed to develop a significant career on the American scene, where he is highly respected. Over the years he recorded with some of the best American Jazz musicians. In recent years he regularly visits Poland and again releases albums on Polish labels. In many respects Makowicz often sounds more American than genuine American Jazz players, embracing the traditional approach to mainstream Jazz, which is an ideal vehicle to expose his virtuosity and technique as a pianist. This explains perhaps his success in US, where European Jazz is often looked at with suspicion. This album proves just that, with mostly original compositions by Makowicz, which are fully compatible with straightforward mainstream Jazz, in contrast to his compositions recorded in Poland, before he left for the greener pastures. The famous Sheffield Lab sound quality and recording technique of direct to disc vinyl cutting and using just one single stereo mike, might have been something quite interesting at the time, but in time proved to be just another hype, and the sound of this CD, which is taken from the original tapes, sounds definitely dated today to my ears. Overall, this is a nice document of the early days of Makowicz career in the US. The CD is quite difficult to find these days, not to mention the original LP and I am happy to finally close the gap in my collection. Polish Jazz completists will definitely want a copy of this in their collections as well!

Updated: 29/05/2023Posted: 29/05/2023

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend

ENRICO PIERANUNZI ~ THE COMPLETE REMASTERED RECORDINGS ON BLACK SAINT & SOUL NOTE CAM JAZZ 1004 (Barcode: 8024709112521) ~ ITALY ~ Jazz Recorded: 1981 - 1997 Released: 2010 This superb Box Set collects all the albums recorded by the legendary Italian pianist / composer Enrico PieranunziFind albums by this artist on the twin Italian independent labels: Black SaintFind albums on this label and Soul NoteFind albums on this label. Pieranunzi needs no introduction to any serious Jazz connoisseur; suffice to say that from the early days in the mid-1970s he retained his position as one of the best, most sensitive and technically proficient piano player in Europe. His completely unique approach to playing and composing music has put him in a class of itself and his prolific recorded output is always a source of great musical joy. The musicians playing on these five albums include: trumpeter Art FarmerFind albums by this artist, bassist Marc JohnsonFind albums by this artist, drummer Joey BaronFind albums by this artist, drummer Paul MotianFind albums by this artist, saxophonist Lee KonitzFind albums by this artist and many others. Remastered, mini-sleeved, and with a great bargain price – this Box Set 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:

CD 6 Mini-Sleeve Box Set Remastered Recommend To A Friend

JOHN TAYLOR ~ ROSSLYN ECM 1751 (Barcode: 601215992427) ~ UK ~ Jazz Recorded: 2002 Released: 2003 Despite the fact that British pianist / composer John TaylorFind albums by this artist appears on dozens of albums released by the German ECMFind albums on this label label, this is the only one released under his name. Recorded in a classic Jazz piano trio setting with American bassist Marc JohnsonFind albums by this artist and drummer Joey BaronFind albums by this artist. It is the trio’s only recording, captured at the fabulous Rainbow Studio in Oslo and engineered by Jan Erik KongshaugFind albums by this artist, offering a stunning sound quality. The album presents seven tracks, five of which are original compositions by Taylor, one is by his lifetime brother in arms Kenny WheelerFind albums by this artist and finally one is a standard. The music presents mostly the poetic, deeply lyrical side of Taylor’s personality, both as composer and performer. The compositions are mostly melody based, but offer a long stretches of open space, which allow less rigor and allows creative freedom. Taylor is ab absolute focus of the album, with the rhythm section being utterly respective and restrained, accompanying the piano delicately, but with great thoughtfulness and taste. This approach adds to the delicate atmosphere, which is almost meditative at times, emphasizing the “less is more” approach. The album celebrated Taylor’s 60th birthday and was perhaps one of his most reflective moments in his long standing career, with every note perfectly articulated and the melodies full of the unique Englishness, which always characterized Taylor’s music. In retrospect it is definitely one of his best recordings of all time, and an absolute must in any decent British Jazz collection. Overall this is an absolute classic Jazz album in every respects and an absolute ultimate Jazz piano trio recording in many respects, which should serve as an example of what Jazz is all about, and the perfect combination of melody and freedom. Absolutely essential!

Updated: 02/04/2021Posted: 02/04/2021

CD 1 Slipcase Essential Recommend To A Friend

ERIC VLOEIMANS ~ BITCHES AND FAIRY TALES CHALLENGE 70061 (Barcode: 608917006124) ~ NETHERLANDS ~ Jazz Recorded: 1998 Released: 2010 This is the third album as a leader by Dutch trumpeter / composer Eric VloeimansFind albums by this artist recorded with the dreamy trio comprising of British pianist John TaylorFind albums by this artist and American bassist Marc JohnsonFind albums by this artist and drummer Joey BaronFind albums by this artist, which recorded the great album "RosslynFind albums with this title" for ECMFind albums on this label a few years later. The album presents thirteen original compositions, ten composed by Vloeimans and three short interludes co-composed by him and Taylor. The music is brilliant modern European Jazz, based on open compositions, which allow the quartet to improvise intensively, at times quite freely, and to utilize polyrhythmic structures, which the rhythm section wizardly carries on. The music is diverse and highly interesting from start to finish, and in retrospect this is one of the most interesting European Jazz recordings of the 1990s. Vloeimans and Taylor manage to create a superb synergy, which also characterized the work of Taylor with Kenny WheelerFind albums by this artist, and Vloeimans´ trumpet playing bears many similarities to the idiosyncratic style of Wheeler. Interestingly the American rhythm section displays completely non-American aesthetics, which sets it apart from most rhythm sections originating in the US, and which enables the sublime musical atmosphere created on this album, ideally suited to the two Europeans on board. Of course they are not the only example of American rhythm sections free of the decades-long clichés cemented by Bebop, but they are certainly a most welcome exception. This music lost absolutely nothing of its power and originality over time and still sounds as interesting and fresh as it did at the time it was recorded. Taylor´s enthusiasts will wind his work here as brilliant as ever and since the album seems to be still available, it´s about time to grab a copy – satisfaction guaranteed!

Updated: 02/10/2020Posted: 02/10/2020

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend