Record Reviews

IVAN LINS ~ CORNUCOPIA MOOSICUS 1205 (Barcode: 4017425120523) ~ BRAZIL ~ Big Band Jazz Recorded: 2012 Released: 2013 This is an album by Brazilian singer / songwriter Ivan LinsFind albums by this artist, recorded with the German SWR Big BandFind albums by this artist, conducted by Ralf SchmidFind albums by this artist, and several guest musicians. The album presents thirteen tracks, all songs composed by Lins and arranged for the Big Band by Schmid. Lins is of course one of most important figures in contemporary Brazilian music and he write wonderful songs, all characterized by the local rhythms and lyrical tendencies, like Samba an Bossa Nova, which are always a pleasure to listen to. Combined with the Jazzy arrangements and the Big Band accompaniment, the music achieves a different type of its usual sonic environment. Overall, this is a classic Jazz-World Fusion album, with a Jazz Big Band accents expending the sound and musical scope to a wider circle of listeners, who might enjoy the result. Lins writes wonderful songs and in this very special environment these songs sound even better than ever.

Updated: 05/06/2025Posted: 05/06/2025

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MARIA SCHNEIDER / SWR BIG BAND ~ MARIA SCHNEIDER & SWR BIG BAND SWR JAZZHAUS 469 (Barcode: 730099046954) ~ USA ~ Big Band Jazz Recorded: 2000 Released: 2018 This is an archival live album by American composer / arranger / orchestra leader Maria SchneiderFind albums by this artist, recorded with the excellent German SWR Big BandFind albums by this artist, during a concert dedicated to the 100th Birthday and 50th Death Anniversary of the legendary Jewish German composer Kurt WeilFind albums by this artist. The 2CD album presents eleven lengthy tracks, six of which are original compositions by Schneider, including a three-part suite, and five are her arrangements of compositions by Weil. Schneider conducts the orchestra on all but two tracks, where the regular conductor Ralf SchmidFind albums by this artist arranged the music and steps in to conduct. Schneider is a brilliant Jazz composer and a completely unique orchestra leader, using unconventional methods and form of expression, which turn her recordings and performances into unprecedented phenomena, which can only be experienced in person. She treats the Jazz orchestra like an instrument, which of course immediately takes her closer to the European approach than the American tradition. This superb album demonstrates this unique experience excellently and the SWR Big Band stands up to the challenge without a hitch. The music, both her original compositions and her arrangements of Weil’s compositions, are all breathtaking and worthy of being celebrated and studied. For Jazz Big Band fans, this is essential listening, even if it takes a moment to get acquainted with at first for those, who are not familiar with her work. The performances by the members of the orchestra are also exemplary, which of course is hardly surprising to anyone who ever heard any of their many recordings. Overall, this is a stunning Jazz Big Band album, which is an absolute must have for every avid listener / collector of orchestral Jazz music, and it offers an aesthetic experience, which lasts way beyond the time the music is playing. This is one of those albums, which one returns to when the going gets tough…

Updated: 02/11/2026Posted: 02/11/2026

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