Record Reviews
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  | DAY IS OVER ~ DAY IS OVER
SVART 051 (Barcode: 6430065585169) ~ FINLAND ~ Jazz
Recorded: 1975 Released: 2018
This is a reissue of the only album by one-off Finnish-Danish Jazz quintet Day Is OverFind albums by this artist, which comprised of Finnish saxophonist Eero KoivistoinenFind albums by this artist, keyboardist Esko LinnavalliFind albums by this artist and drummer Esko RosnellFind albums by this artist and Danish trumpeter Allan BotschinskyFind albums by this artist and bassist Niels-Henning Orsted PedersenFind albums by this artist. The album presents eight original compositions, one each by Koivistoinen, Linnavalli and Orsted Pedersen and the rest by other Finnish Jazz composers.
The quintet was formed during the Finnish Jazz Music Workshop, which was organized to prepare the legendary UMOFind albums by this artist Orchestra / Big Band in late 1974 and the album was recorded in February 1975 in Stockholm. Linnavalli commissioned the compositions for the album from several leading Finnish Jazz composers at the time and the musicians were exposed to the music without having time to rehearse it – the remarkable result proves the remarkable level of professionalism and talent by all the participants. Of course Orsted Pedersen was already one of the most revered and sought after bass players in Europe, playing and recording with all visiting American Jazz stars.
The music is all strictly melody based modern mainstream Jazz, but it has a distinct Scandinavian touch and the compositions reflect the unique Finnish music spirit, which can be heard distinctly on the recordings originating in the 1970s. The performances are brilliant from start to finish and offer a great opportunity to hear the brilliant work by Orsted Pedersen, who firmly keeps the music swinging smoothly.
Sadly the quintet disbanded as quickly as it was formed, leaving this sole album as its only recorded legacy. However, the UMO Orchestra was formed a few months after the Day Is Over adventure, and exists to this very day, producing some of the finest music out there.
Overall this is a wonderful piece of Finnish (and Nordic) Jazz history, well worth being remembered and still a great piece of quality enjoyable music. Warmly recommended!
| | Updated: 25/03/2024Posted: 20/07/2020 | CD 1 Remastered Recommend To A Friend |
  | BILL EVANS ~ TREASURES: SOLO, TRIO & ORCHESTRA RECORDINGS FROM DENMARK (1965-1969)
ELEMENTAL MUSIC 5990444 (Barcode: 8435395503645) ~ USA ~ Jazz
Recorded: 1965 - 1969 Released: 2023
This is another archival album by the greatest Jazz pianist of all time, Bill EvansFind albums by this artist, recorded at various occasions in Denmark and including solo piano performances, trios with Danish bassist Niels-Henning Orsted PedersenFind albums by this artist / American bassist Eddie GomezFind albums by this artist and Danish drummer Alex RielFind albums by this artist / American drummers Alan DawsonFind albums by this artist or Marty MorellFind albums by this artist and The Royal Danish Symphony OrchestraFind albums by this artist and The Danish Radio Big BandFind albums by this artist conducted by trumpeter, arranger Palle MikkelborgFind albums by this artist. The 2CD album presents thirty tracks, recorded between 1965 and 1969. This album is a companion release to the album “Tales: Live In Copenhagen (1964)Find albums with this title”, which presents other performances by Evans in Denmark, and which completes these historical recordings. It also features an extended booklet with interviews with Gomez, Morell, Riel, Mikkelborg 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.
Of course this is also a relatively rare opportunity to hear Evans playing solo piano and the trio playing with Orchestra / Big Band, which expands the presentation of Evans’ brilliance and incredible musicianship. Luckily for the many Evans’ fans, he was extensively recorded and his recorded legacy is truly extensive, with this album being an exemplary part of it.
Overall, this is a wonderful addition to the Bill Evans recorded legacy, covering his live appearances in Europe. 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: 25/03/2024Posted: 23/02/2024 | CD 2 Digipak Remastered Recommend To A Friend |
  | DEXTER GORDON & SLIDE HAMPTON ~ A DAY IN COPENHAGEN
MPS 4029759154815 (Barcode: 4029759154815) ~ USA ~ Jazz
Recorded: 1969 Released: 2021
This is a reissue / remaster of an album released on the legendary MPSFind albums on this label Records, recorded during a session set up in Copenhagen by my Friend and Mentor Joachim BerendtFind albums by this artist, which captures a bunch of American Jazz expatriates staying in Europe in the 1960s, headed by saxophonist Dexter GordonFind albums by this artist and trombonist Slide HamptonFind albums by this artist. Also present are pianist Kenny DrewFind albums by this artist and drummer Art TaylorFind albums by this artist, Jamaican trumpeter Dizzy ReeceFind albums by this artist, also living in Europe and the only local guy, brilliant Danish bassist Niels-Henning Orsted PedersenFind albums by this artist. The album presents six tracks, three of which are original compositions by Hampton, who also arranged all the tunes, and the other three are standards. The album’s booklet includes the original liner notes by Berendt and new liner notes for the remastered edition.
The music is pretty straightforward mainstream Jazz, perfectly performed by these great musicians away from home. The sound quality of the original album was excellent and this new remaster adds to the clarity and separation, making it a delightful listening experience for the many Dexter Gordon fans, who is captured here at the peak of his European career. He spent fourteen years of his life in Europe and returned to the US only in 1976.
Overall, this is a great reminder of the American expatriate wave, which brought many Jazz musicians to Europe in the 1960s and 1970s, greatly contributing to the development of the local Jazz scene, although it was already developing a strong unique form of the genre at the time.
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: 25/03/2024Posted: 25/03/2024 | CD 1 Digipak Remastered Recommend To A Friend |
  | STEPHANE GRAPPELLI ~ YOUNG DJANGO
MPS 042281567223 (Barcode: 042281567223) ~ FRANCE ~ Gypsy Jazz
Recorded: 1979 Released: 1984
This is a reissue of an album by the legendary French violinist / composer Stephane GrappelliFind albums by this artist (aged 71 at the time of the recording, dedicated to the music of Jazz icon Django ReinhardtFind albums by this artist. The album is completely acoustic and features two brilliant guitarists: Belgian Philip CatherineFind albums by this artist and American Larry CoryellFind albums by this artist, and Danish bassist Niels-Henning Orsted PedersenFind albums by this artist. It presents nine tracks, seven of which were composed by Grappelli and Reinhardt between 1934 and 1939, and one each by Catherine and Coryell. The album was produced by my Friend and Mentor Joachim BerendtFind albums by this artist and includes his liner notes. The sound quality, clarity and warmth of this album are truly exceptional.
Grappelli and Reinhardt founded the Quintette du Hot Club de FranceFind albums by this artist in 1934, which is considered the first original European Jazz ensemble, which mixed many European musical traditions with Swing in a most unique way. That music can be heard here, in a somewhat updated form, performed by four outstanding virtuosi, and it still sounds absolutely stunning today. I have been privileged to meet all these musicians in person, but sadly only Catherine is still with us today.
Overall, this is a sublime piece of music, which pays tribute to the sources of European Jazz with respect and stunning virtuoso performances. Music just doesn’t get much better than this often. Lovers of so called Gypsy Jazz should find this album indispensable of course.
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: 25/01/2025Posted: 20/01/2025 | CD 1 Recommend To A Friend |
  | KARIN KROG ~ JAZZ MOMENTS
MEANTIME 12 (Barcode: 7051070000127) ~ NORWAY ~ Jazz
Recorded: 1966 Released: 2006
This is a reissue / remaster of the second album by the Norwegian Jazz singer Karin KrogFind albums by this artist, recorded in 1966 with a fabulous trio: American pianist Kenny DrewFind albums by this artist (resident in Denmark at the time), Danish bassist Niels-Henning Orsted PedersenFind albums by this artist and Norwegian drummer Jon ChristensenFind albums by this artist. Norwegian saxophonist Jan GarbarekFind albums by this artist guests on three tracks. The original album presented nine tracks, all standards, and this edition adds one alternate take as a bonus track.
This album is a wonderful document of the early days of Krog’s career, with her idiosyncratic approach and style already well in place. It also documents the Scandinavian Jazz scene in the mid-1960s, which was developing rapidly, partly due to the fact that many American Jazz musicians settled in Scandinavia at the time, escaping the racist discrimination from which they suffered at home.
Krog was always a sublime interpreter of the Great American Songbook, and her highly personal treatment of the standards was always absolutely unique, which is clearly evident on this early album. Of course the performances by the young Scandinavian players are also exceptional.
Overall, this is a wonderful trip down the memory line, taking the listener almost sixty years back in time to the steaming Scandinavian Jazz scene, which was exploding with talent and left a sublime legacy, which sounds as good today as it did then. For Jazz singers, this is a highly educational exposure of the Artistry of vocal Jazz.
| | Updated: 25/03/2024Posted: 16/08/2023 | CD 1 Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend |
  | KARIN KROG / DEXTER GORDON ~ SOME OTHER SPRING
MEANTIME 10 (Barcode: 7051070000103) ~ NORWAY ~ Jazz
Recorded: 1970 Released: 2000
This is a reissue / remaster of the fourth album by the Norwegian Jazz singer Karin KrogFind albums by this artist, recorded in 1970 with a fabulous quartet: American saxophonist Dexter GordonFind albums by this artist and pianist Kenny DrewFind albums by this artist (both resident in Scandinavia at the time), Danish bassist Niels-Henning Orsted PedersenFind albums by this artist and Norwegian drummer Espen RudFind albums by this artist. The original album presented eight tracks, all standards, and this edition adds one outtake and three alternate takes as a bonus tracks. The music was recorded by the legendary Jan Erik KongshaugFind albums by this artist at his Rainbow Studio.
This album is a wonderful document of the early days of Krog’s career, with her idiosyncratic approach and style already well in place. It also documents the Scandinavian Jazz scene in the late-1960s, which was developing rapidly, partly due to the fact that many American Jazz musicians settled in Scandinavia at the time, escaping the racist discrimination from which they suffered at home.
Krog was always a sublime interpreter of the Great American Songbook, and her highly personal treatment of the standards was always absolutely unique, which is clearly evident on this early album. Of course the performances by the young Scandinavian players are also exceptional.
Overall, this is a wonderful trip down the memory line, taking the listener over fifty years back in time to the steaming Scandinavian Jazz scene, which was exploding with talent and left a sublime legacy, which sounds as good today as it did then. For Jazz singers, this is a highly educational exposure of the Artistry of vocal Jazz.
| | Updated: 25/03/2024Posted: 17/09/2023 | CD 1 Recommend To A Friend |
  | ROLF KUHN ORCHESTRA ~ SYMPHONIC SWAMPFIRE
MPS 602527221205 (Barcode: 602527221205) ~ GERMANY ~ Big Band Jazz
Recorded: 1978 Released: 2009
This is a reissue / remaster of an album by the German clarinetists / composer / bandleader Rolf KuhnFind albums by this artist, recorded with a large orchestra and soloists, which include some of the best European Jazz musicians active at the time, like his younger brother pianist / composer Joachim KuhnFind albums by this artist, American (resident in Germany) saxophonist Charlie MarianoFind albums by this artist, Belgian guitarist Philip CatherineFind albums by this artist, Danish bassist Niels-Henning Orsted PedersenFind albums by this artist, Belgian drummer Bruno CastellucciFind albums by this artist and others. The album presents five tracks, two of which are parts of a suite, which gave the album its title, all composed by Rolf Kuhn.
The album is an outstanding example of European Orchestral / Big Band Jazz, which took the seeds of American Big Band tradition and transposed it to entirely another plane, way more sophisticated, Artistic and imaginative. The performances are blood-chilling and absolutely unique, in many ways probably exposing the very peak of the Jazz creativity, which to be honest never managed to climb much higher than what can be heard here.
The music is based on strong melodic themes, wonderfully arranged for the orchestral environment, multilayered and even multi-rhythmic, emphasizing the complex sound of the orchestra as a complete music-making unit, rather than mostly just accompanying the soloists. By the time this music was recorded, European Jazz was heavily involved with Fusion, which is superbly incorporated within the orchestral sound, with electric guitar and keyboards being an integral part of the ambience. For guitar lovers, this is one of the finest albums featuring the brilliant guitar artistry of Catherine, as well as the electric side of Joachim Kuhn.
Rolf Kuhn emerges here as a brilliant composer and arranger of orchestral Jazz, as well as a musician able to develop in time and embrace new trends and expand his horizons constantly, which characterized him for his entire lifetime, which I was lucky to follow for many years during our friendship.
Overall, this is one of the most interesting orchestral Jazz albums in European Jazz, despite the fact that it is only known by relatively very few Jazz listeners. I have owned a copy since day one and listened to this album countless times in the almost fifty years since it was released, and each and every time I managed to discover something new in the music. I can only hope some more listeners will discover it one day, although admittedly it is quite difficult to find a copy.
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: 31/07/2024Posted: 18/07/2024 | CD 1 Oversampling Remastered Recommend To A Friend |
  | JEAN-LUC PONTY ~ SUNDAY WALK
MPS 4029759171379 (Barcode: 4029759171379) ~ FRANCE ~ Jazz
Recorded: 1967 Released: 2021
This is a reissue / remaster on an early album by French violinist / composer Jean-Luc PontyFind albums by this artist, recorded in a quartet setting with a European quartet, which also included German pianist Wolfgang DaunerFind albums by this artist, Danish bassist Niels-Henning Orsted PedersenFind albums by this artist and Swiss drummer Daniel HumairFind albums by this artist. The album presents five tracks, one each by Ponty, Dauner and Humair, one by American composer Denny Zeitlin and one standard. The recording was initiated by my Friend and Mentor, the producer Joachim BerendtFind albums by this artist, who wrote the liner notes for the original album, which are respectfully included in this album’s artwork.
At this early stage of his career, Ponty was already recognized as a great talent and continuator of the French violin Jazz school, following in the footsteps of Stephane GrappelliFind albums by this artist. But Ponty was not a mere keeper of the tradition, as his improvisation was close to John ColtraneFind albums by this artist and his musical path was about to include stints with Frank ZappaFind albums by this artist, John McLaughlinFind albums by this artist and other pioneers of Jazz-Rock Fusion, who established the genre.
The three partners Ponty selected to accompany him on this album were also, despite their young age, already amongst Europe’s most seasoned and talented young musicians. The immediate perfect rapport between the quartet members is evident from the very onset of the music and lasts unbroken till the very last note.
The original material is certainly as good, and in fact better than any standard the quartet might have picked to perform together, and the talents of all three composers was about to flourish for years to come. Although Orsted Pederson died in 2005 and Dauner in 2020, Ponty and Humair continue their brilliant careers now, fifty-five years after this classic gem was recorded.
Overall, this is one of the greatest gems of early European modern Jazz and a classic album in every respect, which has but a few equals over time. The fact that it is finally available on CD should make countless fans of violin Jazz ecstatically happy. This is an absolute must in every serious Jazz record collection.
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: 25/03/2024Posted: 05/04/2022 | CD 1 Digipak Remastered Essential Recommend To A Friend |
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