Record Reviews

ROBERT BACHNER ~ TRAVELLING HARD ATS 0601 (Barcode: 9005216006014) ~ AUSTRIA ~ Jazz Recorded: 2005 Released: 2006 This is the second album as a leader by Austrian Jazz trombonist / composer Robert BachnerFind albums by this artist recorded in a quintet setting with saxophonist Christian MaurerFind albums by this artist, pianist Reinhard MickoFind albums by this artist, bassist Uli LangthalerFind albums by this artist and drummer Christian SalfellnerFind albums by this artist. The album presents seven original compositions, all by Bachner. Bachner, who is one of the busiest players on the local scene, was a member of the sadly deactivated Vienna Art OrchestraFind albums by this artist, and is now a member of the excellent Upper Austrian Jazz OrchestraFind albums by this artist (led by Maurer), but also records leading his own Big Band and smaller ensembles as well as playing in many other outfits, in addition to his composing and teaching duties. As this album shows Bachner is a trombone virtuoso, capable of making his instrument sing sweetly and deliver complex sequences, which normally are not associated with the trombone, which sadly is a much neglected instruments in Jazz as far as soloing is concerned. He is also a gifted composer, able to weave beautiful melodic themes, full of lyricism and melancholy, but also swing hard in his other compositions. Accompanied by four excellent Jazz musicians, he offers on this album wonderful modern mainstream Jazz, which is a delightful musical experience from start to finish. The album won the album of the year prize in Austria in 2006, which is hardly surprising. For European Jazz lovers who are not familiar with the Austrian scene, this album is a great introduction both to the local talents and the vitality of the music being performed there. This is definitely something not only to be discovered but also something to be followed, as the scene is alive and kicking. For trombone enthusiasts, this is an absolute must have. Wholeheartedly recommended!

Updated: 25/01/2020Posted: 25/01/2020

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ROBERT BACHNER BIG BAND ~ MOMENTS OF NOISE ATS 0616 (Barcode: 9005216006168) ~ AUSTRIA ~ Jazz Recorded: 2006 Released: 2006 This is the debut album by an Austrian Jazz Big Band led by trombonist / composer / arranger / bandleader Robert BachnerFind albums by this artist. The BB comprises of a five piece reed section, a four piece trumpet section, a four piece trombone section and a four piece rhythm section. Bachner, who conducts the BB, plays trombone soli on three tracks and his wife Karin BachnerFind albums by this artist adds vocals on two tracks. The album presents nine compositions, five of which are originals by Bachner and four are standards. Bachner, who is one of the busiest players on the local scene, was a member of the sadly deactivated Vienna Art OrchestraFind albums by this artist, and is now a member of the excellent Upper Austrian Jazz OrchestraFind albums by this artist (led by Christian MaurerFind albums by this artist), but also records leading his own Big Band and smaller ensembles as well as playing in many other outfits, in addition to his composing and teaching duties. This album shows Bachner more as a composer and bandleader than as a trombone virtuoso, which he certainly is as well. The superb original compositions of his are perfect vehicles for the BB to spread its wings and present its wonderful ability to swing smoothly like a baby´s bottom, and yet show the depth, sophistication and power of a BB sound, which undoubtedly is the most versatile and powerful "instrument" within the Jazz idiom. Bachner, although schooled and influenced by American Jazz, is still perfectly able to preserve the European Jazz aesthetics, which is most obvious in the BB treatment of the standards, which have been also often recorded by American BB, and which can be compared. In his intelligent liner notes Bachner tells the tale of each of the tunes and the circumstances leading to their appearance on the album, which is also a greatly educational read about the Austrian Jazz scene and especially about other Austrian Big Bands, clearly showing that Austria was and still is a very fertile ground for this particular subgenre. For European Jazz lovers who are not familiar with the Austrian scene, this album is a great introduction both to the local talents and the vitality of the music being performed there. For Jazz Big Band enthusiasts, this is an absolute must have. Wholeheartedly recommended!

Updated: 01/02/2020Posted: 01/02/2020

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ROBERT BACHNER / HELMAR HILL ~ EIN FEINER ZUG ATS 0644 (Barcode: 9005216006441) ~ AUSTRIA ~ Jazz Recorded: 2005 Released: 2007 This is the debut album by the duo comprising of Austrian Jazz musicians: trombonist / composer Robert BachnerFind albums by this artist and pianist / composer Helmar HillFind albums by this artist. The album presents six (one being a three-part concerto for trombone and piano) original compositions, three each by the duo members. Bachner and Hill, who are among the busiest players on the local scene, are both members of the splendid Upper Austrian Jazz OrchestraFind albums by this artist, but also record with their own ensembles as well as play in many other outfits. This album beautifully emphasizes their abilities both as talented composers and superb instrumentalists, presenting a masterpiece recording in the "Art of the Duo" Jazz idiom, which always was one of my favorite Jazz facets. It is intimate and demanding, showing perfectly the interplay and communication between the two musicians and their telepathic coordination, and allowing a proper display of their individual chops, which are spectacular indeed. The compositions are all wonderfully melodic, exhibiting the typical European melancholy, especially so in the case of the concerto composed by Hill, which combines several musical themes and an almost Classical compositional approach. This album is a perfect example of the "less is more" principle, which albeit its seemingly limited instrumental possibilities proves that two great musicians can be no less effective than a much larger ensemble. The elegance, finesse and astounding musicianship offered by the duo attest to the strength of the European Jazz scene, which has no reason to display any inferiority complex in reference to Jazz musicians from across the pond. For European Jazz lovers who are not familiar with the Austrian scene, this album is a great introduction both to the local talents and the vitality of the music being performed there. For "Art of the Duo" enthusiasts, this is an absolute must have. Wholeheartedly recommended!

Updated: 01/02/2020Posted: 01/02/2020

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BARBARA BRUCKMULLER ~ BARBARA BRUCKMULLER BIG BAND BICOLORIOUS MUSIC 2013-01 (Barcode: 610098499268) ~ AUSTRIA ~ Big Band Jazz Recorded: 2012 Released: 2013 This is the debut album by Austrian composer / arranger / bandleader Barbara BruckmullerFind albums by this artist and her Big Band, which she conducts. The album presents nine tracks, seven of which were composed by Bruckmuller and two are standards, and all were arranged by her. The album was recorded at the splendid Viennese Jazz Club Porgy & Bess, which I visit with love every time I happen to be in town. The band members are mostly young Austrian Jazz musicians, all accomplished and well-schooled musicians. Trombonist Robert BachnerFind albums by this artist represents the older Big Band generation. The music is all excellent, as expected, especially coming from Austria, which is famous for its Big Band tradition, probably the strongest and most abundant in European Jazz. The compositions are solid and coherent, and the Big Band performs them with elegance and panache, which makes this album a pleasure to listen to from start to finish. Bruckmuller recorded more albums since this debut and continues to lead her Big Band and developing her career, and she is certainly a musician to keep an eye on, especially if one is a Big Band enthusiasts, like myself. Overall, this is splendid Jazz Big Band album, which proudly represents the Austrian Jazz Big Band tradition, which has a proud contribution to European Jazz. Definitely an album worth digging out, especially for Big Band lovers, but all European Jazz enthusiasts should find it truly satisfactory.

Updated: 20/02/2025Posted: 20/02/2025

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UPPER AUSTRIAN JAZZ ORCHESTRA ~ BRAZILIAN WORLD MUSIC PROJECT ATS 0967 (Barcode: 9005216009671) ~ AUSTRIA ~ Big Band Jazz Recorded: 2020 Released: 2021 This is an album by the Upper Austrian Jazz OrchestraFind albums by this artist, led by saxophonist / composer Christian MaurerFind albums by this artist and including many excellent Austrian Jazz musicians like trombonist Robert BachnerFind albums by this artist, pianist Helmar HillFind albums by this artist and others. The UAJO albums present usually either a concept or special guest, and in this case both, as the music is dedicated to Jazz interpretations of Brazilian Music and the special guests are Brazilian drummer / composer Fernando PaivaFind albums by this artist and vocalist Verena LoipetsbergerFind albums by this artist. The album presents ten original compositions, five composed by Paiva and arranged by UAJO members, four composed and arranged by UAJO members and one composed and arranged by Anna MaurerFind albums by this artist, Christian’s daughter and a gifted pianist / composer. The music, although full of familiar Latin / Brazilian rhythms and melodies, sounds quite unusual due to the Big Band arrangements and Jazz accents, which are pretty rare as far as Brazilian Jazz is concerned. The orchestra plays, as usual, brilliantly and the vocalese parts by Loipetsberger add another layer of sound, which takes the music away for the standard Brazilian Jazz. Of course Flora PurimFind albums by this artist, Airto MoreiraFind albums by this artist and Hermeto PascoalFind albums by this artist come to mind immediately, but the European tinge is well mixed within the music and takes it apart from what the Brazilian Jazz fans are used to, which is a great fun. Overall, this is a great piece of music, which unusually combines the Latin accents with the Big Band sound, creating a surprising amalgam of European Big Band Jazz and Brazilian elements. The UAJO is definitely one of my favorite European Jazz Big Bands and their versatility and superb paying, intricate arrangements and dedication to the music are apparent here, as on all their recordings, all of which are worth exploring. Well done!

Updated: 16/09/2021Posted: 16/09/2021

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UPPER AUSTRIAN JAZZ ORCHESTRA ~ CRAZY DAYS: PLAYS THE MUSIC OF ED PUDDICK ATS 0972 (Barcode: 9005216009725) ~ AUSTRIA ~ Big Band Jazz Recorded: 2021 Released: 2021 This is an album by the Upper Austrian Jazz OrchestraFind albums by this artist, led by saxophonist / composer Christian MaurerFind albums by this artist and including many excellent Austrian Jazz musicians like trombonist Robert BachnerFind albums by this artist, pianist Helmar HillFind albums by this artist and others. The UAJO albums present usually either a concept or special guest, and in this case both, as the music is dedicated to the Jazz compositions / arrangements by British Jazz composer / arranger / bandleader Ed PuddickFind albums by this artist. The album presents twelve original compositions by Puddick, the last five of which are parts of a five-part suite, ominously titled “The Brexit Suite”. The music is a wonderful example of contemporary European Big Band Jazz, full of brilliant compositions dazzlingly executed by the UAJO conducted by Puddick, who managed to travel to Austria from the UK amidst the crazy time dominated by the Covid-19 pandemic and the Brexit crisis. Puddick, who studied with such great Big Band Masters as British Michael GibbsFind albums by this artist and Austrian Hans KollerFind albums by this artist, continues the European tradition, which calls for complex multilayered and cross-genre compositions and ensemble performances, and the UAJO is just the perfect partner in crime to deliver Puddick’s compositions in their full glory. Overall, this is a great piece of music, which combines the best possible characteristics of modern European Jazz compositions with the Big Band sound, creating an irresistible amalgam of European Big Band Jazz. The UAJO is definitely one of my favorite European Jazz Big Bands and their versatility and marvelous playing and dedication to the music are apparent here, as on all their recordings, all of which are worth exploring. This s definitely one of their most impressive achievements, which deserves to be heard by every true Jazz lover around the globe!

Updated: 20/09/2021Posted: 20/09/2021

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UPPER AUSTRIAN JAZZ ORCHESTRA ~ DES SOWE AUNDAS ODER… THOMAS BERNHARD GROOVT ATS 0605 (Barcode: 9005216006052) ~ AUSTRIA ~ Jazz Recorded: 2006 Released: 2006 This is an album by the veteran Austrian Jazz Big Band called The Upper Austrian Jazz OrchestraFind albums by this artist, led by saxophonist / composer Christian MaurerFind albums by this artist and comprising of some of the best Austrian Jazz musicians, including four trumpets, four trombones, five reeds and a four-piece rhythm section. Vocalist Ali GagglFind albums by this artist adds some vocal parts and recitation. As almost all the albums by the UAJO, this one was also recorded live and again as usual it offers a concept, which can either be a tribute to a composer or an author, in this case the highly controversial Austrian novelist / playwright / poet Thomas BernhardFind albums by this artist. The album presents eight original compositions (one a two-part piece), each composed by a different member of the orchestra, which also follows the usual modus operandi of the UAJO, and each based on a different text written by Bernhard. Since the album is out of print it took me quite a while before I managed to find a copy (absurdly in the US), but now I am a proud owner of all the eleven albums recorded so far by this wonderful orchestra. The music is a superb collection of modern Jazz compositions, all melody based but diverse stylistically, all elegantly arranged for the Big Band Jazz idiom, skillfully using the entire palette of sounds that such an ensemble is able to produce. Each of the composition reflects the spirit and idea contained in the text it refers to, which offers as a bonus an opportunity for the more inquisitive listeners to read the text in question. The fact that Bernhard was an avid Classical Music lover, which is reflected in his texts, gave the composers another incentive to write something he might have perhaps loved as well. I am grateful to trombonist / composer Robert BachnerFind albums by this artist, who disclosed to me some insights about this album and its making. I enjoyed very much meeting Christian Maurer and Robert Bachner in Vienna in October 2019, where we had an opportunity to chat together about music and have some great food together. The performances by the orchestra members are all stellar, as expected. Considering the fact that this music was recorded live, the synchronicity and interplay are nothing short of astonishing and the orchestra functions like a well oiled Swiss chronometer. As I have already stated, UAJO is a perfect combination of the American Big Band model and the European affluence of elegance and grace, which together create an irresistible musical accomplishment. Hopefully this CD will be back in circulation soon so fans of Big Band Jazz can listen to this music, as it is definitely too good to be forgotten. Each of the orchestra´s albums is a treasure chest of ideas and a schoolbook example of how to do things right in this idiom, this one included of course. Therefore any of them you can lay your hands on is a must have, the sooner the better.

Updated: 25/01/2020Posted: 25/01/2020

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