Record Reviews

UNITED JAZZ + ROCK ENSEMBLE ~ X MOOD 6582 ~ GERMANY ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion Recorded: 1999 Released: 1999 This is the 10th and last album (6th live recording) by the quintessential European Jazz / Fusion ensemble United Jazz + Rock EnsembleFind albums by this artist, established in 1975 by a group of European musicians, led by German keyboardist / composer / bandleader Wolfgang DaunerFind albums by this artist, British drummer Jon HisemanFind albums by this artist and his wife saxophonist / flautist Barbara ThompsonFind albums by this artist, German guitarist Volker KriegelFind albums by this artist (who does not play on this album) and trombonist Albert MangelsdorffFind albums by this artist and Dutch trumpeter Ack van RooyenFind albums by this artist. The sixth and last recording lineup of the group, which recorded this album, included also British trumpeter Ian CarrFind albums by this artist, German trumpeter Thorsten BenkensteinFind albums by this artist, German saxophonist Christof LauerFind albums by this artist, American (resident in Germany) bassist Dave KingFind albums by this artist and Australian (resident in Germany) guitarist Peter O`MaraFind albums by this artist. The album was released on the iconic MoodFind albums on this label Records label (see Side Note) and presents nine tracks, all of which are original compositions by the ensemble members: two by O`Mara and one each by Mangelsdorff, Carr, Dauner, Lauer, Thompson and van Rooyen, and finally one co-composed by Hiseman and Thompson. United Jazz + Rock Ensemble continued to perform until 2002, and disbanded following a farewell tour. In 2012 Dauner formed a short lived United Jazz + Rock Ensemble Second GenerationFind albums by this artist, which recorded a single album “Wolfgang Dauner`s United 2Find albums with this title” (released on ConnectorFind albums on this label Records label), which consisted of new musicians, except his son Florian DaunerFind albums by this artist and Dave King. The album reflects the constant musical development of the ensemble and seemingly endless collection of musical ideas. The music becomes ever more complex and ambitious, often of orchestral scale, but never loses an iota of the Rock and Funk elements, combining everything into a unique amalgam, which always kept them apart from any competition or comparison. With three trumpeters on board the Big Band sound is always potent and the brass arrangements are more complex than ever. All members of the group get an opportunity to solo, but the main idea is to present an “ensemble” sound, rather than a collection of individuals. The fact that the ensemble sounds as good live as in the studio testifies as to the remarkable level of musicianship and the joy of playing together. Listeners familiar with the recordings by the individual members of the ensemble will often find the recordings by the ensemble quite different and innovative, as the mutual influence between the band members is very dominating. The ensemble manages to establish a unique sound and style, which will be recognizable as their own on their numerous recordings over time. Overall, this is a brilliant and highly unusual Fusion album, a true classic of the genre and great example of the sophistication of European Jazz. The entire recorded legacy of the ensemble is a must in any serious Jazz / Fusion record collection. Side Note MoodFind albums on this label Records, established in 1977 and based in Germany, was a small independent record label founded by European Jazz musicians: German Wolfgang DaunerFind albums by this artist, Volker KriegelFind albums by this artist and Albert MangelsdorffFind albums by this artist and Dutch Ack van RooyenFind albums by this artist. The label was active between 1977 and 2006 and released 78 albums, first on vinyl and later on CD. In 2010 the label released 11 2CD albums with reissues of early vinyl albums. The label was the home label of the four founders, as well as the United Jazz + Rock EnsembleFind albums by this artist, Ian CarrFind albums by this artist’s NucleusFind albums by this artist and many other, mostly European musicians. The total output of the label is a superb document of the European Jazz scene between the late 1970s and mid-2000s. Some of these albums are absolutely essential.

Updated: 09/01/2025Posted: 09/01/2025

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WHEELER / O`MARA / DARLING / ELGART ~ WHEELER / O`MARA / DARLING / ELGART KOALA 22 (Barcode: 4006759703427) ~ UK ~ Jazz Recorded: 1990 Released: 1991 This is the only album by the Jazz quartet which comprises of British trumpeter Kenny WheelerFind albums by this artist, Australian guitarist Peter O`MaraFind albums by this artist and American bassist Wayne DarlingFind albums by this artist and drummer Bill ElgartFind albums by this artist. O`Mara, Darling and Elgart settled in Europe in the 1970s and early 1980s and enjoyed a fruitful career as players, composers and educators, also playing and recording together as a trio for many years. They invited Wheeler to play with them on a tour and this album is a document of their work together as a quartet. The album presents eight original compositions, four by O`Mara, two by Wheeler and one each by Darling and Elgart. The music is typical modern mainstream Jazz, with excellent melodic compositions and clever arrangements, obviously superbly executed by these veteran musicians. O`Mara plays some wonderful guitar licks and proves that he is sadly one of the most underrated Jazz guitarists around. Wheeler is absolutely marvelous on trumpet and flugelhorn, maintaining his unique personal sound which is simply unmatched. The sound of the electric guitar invokes some slight Fusion associations, but this music has very little to do with Fusion per se. The last, longest and most interesting track on the album moves into more open territory coming momentarily close to Free Jazz, but again this is not the mainline on this album. Although there is no groundbreaking innovation here, the album offers an unusual instrumentation with the trumpet / guitar harmony and solid beautiful music, combined with first class performances, which should pass the strictest scrutiny by any true Jazz connoisseur. For the many Wheeler fans this little known album us of course an absolute must!

Updated: 15/06/2019Posted: 15/06/2019

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend