Record Reviews

CLARK TERRY ~ CLARK AFTER DARK MPS 4029759115700 (Barcode: 4029759115700) ~ USA ~ Jazz Recorded: 1977 Released: 2016 This is a reissue of an album by American trumpeter / composer and flugelhorn pioneer Clark TerryFind albums by this artist, which was his second of two albums for MPSFind albums on this label and which was produced by the British music critic / producer Mike HennesseyFind albums by this artist. The album presents ten Jazz ballads, nine of which are standards and one, which was written especially for this album by the German trombonist / bandleader / arranger / composer Peter HerbolzheimerFind albums by this artist. The album was recorded in London and features a mind-blowing huge orchestra, which includes the absolute crème de la crème of the British Jazz musicians, which does not appear on any other recording, and as such is absolutely unique. Some of the names include trumpeters: Derek WatkinsFind albums by this artist, Tony FisherFind albums by this artist and Kenny WheelerFind albums by this artist, trombonists: Dave HorlerFind albums by this artist and Nat PeckFind albums by this artist, reed players: Stan SulzmannFind albums by this artist, Tony CoeFind albums by this artist and Ronnie RossFind albums by this artist, pianist Gordon BeckFind albums by this artist, guitarist Martin KershawFind albums by this artist, bassist Chris LaurenceFind albums by this artist and many others. The music is definitely on the lighter side of Jazz, but Terry´s brilliant technique and enormous feel are definitely worth hearing. But the real hidden gem on this album is the brilliant performance by the orchestra and the superb arrangements. It is an exceptional example of the artistry of orchestration and of course the actual execution of the sophisticated arrangements by a group of immensely talented players. For British Jazz connoisseurs this is a rare gem, which is know by very few members of the proud community. As usual with reissues, it is great to have this gem back in circulation, for new generation of fans to discover and for those who lost the copy of the original vinyl issue to re-discover past pleasures. May the Force be with you! 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: 28/05/2018Posted: 23/12/2016

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